Home / Environment / Europe's Shark Fin Trade Shrinks 15%
Europe's Shark Fin Trade Shrinks 15%
13 Jul
Summary
- EU shark fin exports fell 15% from 2024 to 2025.
- Blue sharks comprise 97% of fins exported by EU countries.
- Spain leads EU exports, primarily to Singapore and China.
Export volumes of shark fins from the European Union experienced a 15% reduction between 2024 and 2025. Despite this decline, member states collectively exported nearly 3,000 tonnes last year.
Blue sharks account for an overwhelming 97% of the fins traded, with the remainder being shortfin mako sharks. This drop in trade is attributed to tightened Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species regulations, which increased inspections and traceability requirements.
Spain is the EU's leading exporter of shark fins, followed by Portugal, the Netherlands, France, and Italy. The primary destinations for these exports are Singapore and mainland China, each receiving approximately 40% of the total.
The shark fin trade remains controversial due to its adverse impact on marine ecosystems, as sharks are vital apex predators. Concerns also persist regarding the cruel practice of finning live sharks before discarding their bodies at sea.
