Many shark species are in peril of extinction. Every year, tens of millions of sharks suffer painful deaths to supply the cruel and wasteful shark fin trade. The fins are used in dishes such as shark fin soup, which may be served by Chinese restaurants and during banquets, weddings and other events.

As the global shark fin trade approaches its annual peak during the Chinese New Year in February, Humane Society International needs YOUR help to end this cruel practice.

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Sharks’ fins are often removed when the animals are still alive; the sharks are then thrown back into the water to endure a painful death from suffocation, blood loss, or predation by other species.

By keeping only the fins and throwing away the bodies, boat crews aren't hampered by space constraints. This means that massive numbers of sharks can be caught and finned to supply the unsustainable shark fin trade.

Despite alarming declines in shark populations, hundreds of tons of shark fins will be changing hands this Chinese New Year for astronomical prices, as restaurants and hotels stock up to meet anticipated demand for the upcoming celebrations.

Sharks aren’t the vicious killing machines they’ve been made out to be. They are living beings who feel pain. They are essential to a healthy ocean ecosystem, but they’re rapidly disappearing at an alarming rate because of humans!

On behalf of Humane Society International, thank you for your support and we wish you and your family all the best for the New Year.