What is the primary regulatory purpose of the '5% fin-to-carcass weight' rule in international shark fishing conventions?

To prevent the practice of shark finning by limiting fin retention

To maximize the commercial value of the shark carcass

To standardize the processing of shark products for international trade

To ensure the sustainability of tuna populations in the Atlantic

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20 July 2026

Shark finning practice

The topic provides relevant context for environmental conservation and international maritime governance, though it lacks a direct link to Indian policy or specific national legislation.

Notes

Shark finning involves removing fins from sharks and discarding the rest of the body, often while the animal is alive, leading to death by drowning.
The practice is driven by demand for shark fin soup and traditional medicine in Asian markets.
Environmental Justice Foundation reports indicate illegal shark fin landings in Dakar, Senegal, by foreign longline tuna vessels.
Global shark and ray populations have declined by 71% since 1970, largely due to industrial fishing.
Finning is frequently associated with illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and human rights abuses.
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) regulates Atlantic fishing; it bans retention of certain shark species and limits fin weight to 5% of total shark weight onboard.
Current regulatory frameworks face challenges in quantification and enforcement, making it difficult to prevent finning effectively.

Questions

Discuss the ecological and ethical implications of shark finning. How do illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices undermine international marine conservation efforts? 150 words

Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min

0 / 150 words 8:00
The rapid decline in global shark populations poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity. Analyze the challenges in enforcing international maritime regulations and suggest measures to strengthen global governance of high-seas fisheries. 250 words

Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min

0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

According to the study published in the journal Nature, by what percentage have shark and ray populations declined since 1970?

What is the primary regulatory purpose of the '5% fin-to-carcass weight' rule in international shark fishing conventions?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

Finning: cruel, wasteful practice

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-20/shark-finning-practice