One way that humans hunt sharks is by using a practice called shark finning. This is the process of slicing off a shark's fin and discarding the rest of the still-living body, often by dumping it back into the ocean. Shark fins are tempting targets for fishermen because they have high monetary and cultural value .

Why are sharks finned alive?

The sharks are often still alive when discarded, but without their fins. ... Shark finning at sea enables fishing vessels to increase profitability and increase the number of sharks harvested, as they must only store and transport the fins, by far the most profitable part of the shark; the shark meat is bulky to transport.

Is shark fin cruel?

Humans kill 100 million sharks annually. Many have their fins sliced off and are discarded back into the ocean still alive. Shark finning is cruel and unsustainable. We must act quickly to protect these animals, whose populations are in steep decline.