Victory! This alert made a difference for animals! Learn more.

Sharks have existed for hundreds of millions of years, and are among the most vital of all marine species to the health of the oceans. Unfortunately, they are being increasingly threatened by shark finning, which is the barbaric act of hacking off sharks' fins, usually while still alive, and dumping the sharks back into the ocean to die. Urge Congress to protect sharks from this cruel and unsustainable practice by passing the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act.

Sharks are animals with whom we share common brain structures and processes. They have comparable mental and emotional capacities, including the ability to love and experience other familiar emotions. Sharks are apex predators and keystone species, meaning the health of the entire ecosystem is dependent upon them. Unfortunately, three quarters of oceanic shark species are currently at risk of extinction, and a large factor in their population declines has been shark finning. It's currently estimated that 73 million sharks suffer and die for their fins every year.

As of today, 14 states and three U.S. territories have enacted bans on the import, export, and selling of shark fins, but these bans form a patchwork that is easily exploited and the U.S. remains a major importer and exporter of shark fins.

The Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act would reduce the international fin trade by banning the buying and selling of shark fins in the U.S., improve enforcement of the current finning bans, and take advantage of the country's global power to further the cause of shark conservation. The risks should the bill not pass are grave. The shark fin trade is unethical and unsustainable. If we don't curb it soon, the oceans may be emptied of their sharks, and the health of the entire marine ecosystem will be thrown into chaos.

Victory! This alert made a difference for animals! Learn more.