Some vessels intentionally catch sharks to harvest their fins, which are valuable in certain markets. Shark finning threatens shark populations and violates the U.N. FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and IPOA-Sharks.

Our conservation measures 3.1(a), 3.1(b), and 3.1(c) ask ISSF participating companies to take certain steps to help prevent shark finning in the seafood industry.

Fishers can take steps before and after the tuna catch to reduce unintentional catches of silky sharks by up to 62%. We outline shark bycatch-mitigation techniques in scientific reports and skippers guidebooks. 

For shark bycatch rates by ocean, see our “Tropical Purse Seine Fisheries Bycatch” infographic series.

In ISSF guidebooks, infographics, posters, and scientific reports, we publish best practices that purse-seine fishers can follow onboard to safely release live sharks from the deck. We also have compiled shark identification resources by ocean.

We also report on collaborative workshops with fishers to discuss new equipment and handling techniques for releasing accidentally caught sharks and other species.

Our Non-Entangling & Biodegradable FADs Guide for fishers illustrates how to build FADs without netting, which can entangle sharks.

To inform Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) requirements for fleets, ISSF shares science-based shark-conservation best-practices information through position statements and other outreach efforts. We also evaluate RFMO FAD management measures intended to help protect sharks.