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Put An End to Brutal Shark Finning
  1. Signatures
    27,682 out of 35,000
    Petitioning
    1. The U.S. Senate
  2. Created By
    Oceana
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
How We Won

Dec 21, 2010

Every year, millions of sharks are killed through finning, a brutal process where fishermen slice off sharks' fins, then throw the fish overboard to die. Oceana turned to Change.org to help get sharks more protection. Nearly 28,000 Change.org members signed Oceana's petition asking Congress to pass the Shark Conservation Act, legislation that prevents the finning of sharks in American waters and allows the U.S. to take action against other countries with scant finning regulations. Thanks to the hard work of Oceana, Change.org, and other non-profits and activists, Congress passed the Shark Conservation Act in December of 2010.

Why This Is Important

Each year, millions of sharks are brutally maimed and killed, just for their fins. Sharks are vitally important to our waters, helping balance marine ecosystems in their role as apex predators.

The Shark Conservation Act would end shark finning in U.S. waters and make us world leaders in shark conservation.

There are only a few months left in this Congressional session. Tell your Senators TODAY that you demand shark protections and the passage of the Shark Conservation Act.

Recent Signatures

Support S. 850, the Shark Conservation Act

Dear Senators,

Sharks have been swimming in the world’s oceans for more than 400 million years. While sharks have been able to survive periods of global mass extinctions, they have not evolved to withstand destructive fishing practices. The increased catch of these top predators has resulted in ecosystems changes throughout the world's oceans.

The growing demand for shark products, especially for shark fins, has led to drastic declines in shark populations around the world. Some populations have declined by as much as 99% in the past 35 years.

The Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (S. 850) would require that sharks be landed with their fins still attached. This measure would solve enforcement issues and facilitate better data collection for use in stock assessments and quota monitoring. S. 850 also closes a loophole on the transfer of fins at sea, which allows some bad actors to circumvent the current law. Additionally, the bill allows the U.S. to take actions against countries that have weaker protections for sharks.

Sharks are in trouble and we cannot afford to lose such a vital part of the world's oceans. I urge you to call for swift action to pass the Shark Conservation Act. The oceans depend on it.

[Your name]