Sharks are critical for ocean health and many species are on the brink of extinction driven by the demand for shark fin. This is why we are calling for an immediate halt to the import, sale and reexport of fins from endangered sharks in Singapore.

Singapore is a globally significant trade hub of wildlife products and is a major importer and consumer of shark fin. A study of fin trade between 2005 and 2014 revealed that Singapore was the world's second largest importer (14, 114 tonnes) and re-exported (12,405 tonnes) of shark fins globally. In that study, the researchers found five species protected under CITES including the basking shark, oceanic whitetip shark, scalloped hammerhead shark, and the porbeagle shark.

A 2023 study of sharks in the Singapore fin trade in 2023 revealed that the top five most frequently encountered species are the Milk shark (Rhizoprionodon acutus), Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis), School Shark (Galeorhinus galeus), Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini), and the Giant Hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena). 

Scalloped Hammerhead and the Great Hammerhead are both listed under CITES Appendix II requiring extensive reporting and permitting to export or import. School (or Soupfin) sharks are Threatened and experiencing a severe global decline in population.

Silky sharks are critically endangered and a CITES II listed species, and vulnerable as bycatch. This species has suffered a global decline in population between 70 and 90%. In all, six species in the study were listed on CITES Appendix II, meaning that the trade must be controlled in order to avoid overfishing or risk of extinction.

All dried fins collected in the Singapore study were sold under the generic term “shark fin”. This vague labelling prevents accurate monitoring of the species involved in the trade, and allows for the illegal traffic of prohibited species undermining management and conservation. Inaccurate labeling can also expose unwitting consumers to unsafe concentrations of toxic metals.

Sharks play a crucial role as apex predators, maintaining balance within marine ecosystems. However, overfishing to meet global demands for shark fin soup has led to a drastic decline in their population. According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), around 100 million sharks are killed each year primarily because of this demand.

Shark fins are the staple ingredient of the delicacy shark fin soup consumed throughout Southeast Asia. Singapore is one of the largest consumers and traders of shark fins globally. This high demand fuels illegal fishing practices and contributes significantly to declining shark populations worldwide.

By stopping the sale of endangered shark fins in Singapore, we can take a significant step towards protecting these magnificent creatures from extinction while preserving our ocean's health.

Please join me today by signing this petition; let us urge our government officials to enact stricter regulations on selling endangered sharks' fins and help save these vital marine animals from extinction.

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