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Global trade responses to shark finning regulations

Published Article

Global

Publication date: July 31, 2026

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This global study examined the impact of shark finning regulations on shark product trade across 188 countries from 2007 to 2020. Results showed little effect on overall trade volumes, but countries with finning regulations generally reduced exports, slightly increased imports, and maintained stable domestic consumption of shark products over time.

Subject Tags

  • Biodiversity
  • Wildlife
  • Ecosystem management

Abstract

Global shark mortality continues to rise despite increasing regulations aimed at limiting shark fishing and trade. Regulatory measures may influence shark product markets, but this relationship has been difficult to quantify because of fragmented and poorly resolved data. We present a global analysis evaluating the effects of domestic shark finning regulations on trade in shark products across 188 countries. Using causal inference methods and the Aquatic Resource Trade in Species database (2007–2020), we find weak and statistically insignificant effects of finning regulations on overall shark trade volumes. However, long-term trends suggest that countries adopting finning regulations tend to reduce exports, modestly increase imports, and maintain relatively stable domestic consumption. Our framework provides a broader approach for investigating the economic pathways and drivers of mortality associated with sharks and other traded wildlife species.

Citation

Burns, E.S., Orofino, S., Wang, K. et al. Global trade responses to shark finning regulations. Nat Commun 17, 6821 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-75625-1

TNC Authors