12/5/2025
The ocean hold countless wonders, and among them is the graceful soupfin shark (Galeorhinus galeus). This beautiful shark, often recognized by its elongated snout and distinctive dorsal fin, plays a vital role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. However, for far too long, the soupfin shark has faced a relentless onslaught of threats, pushing its global populations to the brink.
A Cascade of Threats: Why Soupfin Sharks Are So Vulnerable
Soupfin sharks (also called Tope or School sharks) are particularly vulnerable due to a combination of biological and anthropogenic factors. They are slow to mature and reproduce, meaning their populations struggle to rebound quickly after being depleted. Females typically don’t reach reproductive age until around 10 years old, and they give birth to live young after a gestation period of nearly a year. This slow life history makes them highly susceptible to overfishing.
The primary drivers of their decline have been:
- Shark Finning: The demand for shark fins, primarily for shark fin soup, has fueled a brutal industry. Soupfin sharks, with their substantial fins, are a prime target. Fins are often removed at sea, and the sharks are then discarded, still alive, to die a slow and agonizing death. This wasteful practice is a significant contributor to the decimation of shark populations worldwide.
- Bycatch: Even when not directly targeted, soupfin sharks are frequently caught as bycatch in various fishing gear, including trawls, longlines, and gillnets. A schooling shark, large numbers drown in driftnets.These sharks, caught unintentionally, are often injured or killed before being discarded, further impacting their already struggling numbers.
- The Squalene Trade: Less widely known but equally insidious is the trade in squalene, a natural oil found in shark livers. Squalene is highly sought after for its emollient properties and is used extensively in the cosmetics industry, as well as in pharmaceuticals and health supplements. While plant-based alternatives exist, the demand for shark-derived squalene persists, creating another powerful incentive for their exploitation.
The cumulative effect of these threats has been devastating. Globally, soupfin shark populations have plummeted, leading to widespread concern among conservationists. Last year, soupfin sharks were elevated to critically endangered status globally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), due to heavy fishing pressure and steep population declines worldwide.
Did you know the San Francisco Bay is an important nursery site for Soupfin Sharks? The name was given by Chinese immigrants in the 1800s who fished for the sharks and sent the fins back home to China. Download the Shark Science sheet and learn more.
A Beacon of Hope: CITES Protection Arrives
Amidst this grim reality, a significant victory for soupfin sharks has emerged. At the latest Conference of the Parties to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), soupfin sharks achieved international protection from trade. This landmark decision means that commercial international trade in soupfin sharks and their products, including fins and squalene, will now be regulated. This offers a crucial lifeline, requiring CITES permits to ensure that any trade is legal, traceable, and sustainable – a monumental step towards preventing their extinction. The flow of shark fins to Asia must be staunched, and this adds an additional layer of protection.
Also listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2024, there is hope for Soupfins. However, in November 2025 the USFWS and National Marine Fisheries Service announced proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act that would remove this protection in US waters.
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The Fight Continues: Challenges on the Homefront
While CITES protection is a cause for celebration, the fight for the soupfin shark is far from over, especially within the United States. In a proactive move to safeguard these sharks on the West Coast, soupfin sharks were recently added under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as a Threatened species in 2024. This listing provides critical federal protections, requiring recovery plans and restricting activities that could harm the species or its habitat.
However, these vital protections are now facing potential threats. Proposals to weaken the ESA by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), spearheaded by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, could have devastating consequences for soupfin sharks along the West Coast. These proposed changes could undermine the very mechanisms designed to protect threatened species, potentially rolling back habitat protections, easing restrictions on incidental take, and slowing down the implementation of crucial recovery actions. Such weakening would leave soupfin sharks, and countless other vulnerable species, even more exposed to the very threats that have pushed them to the brink.
Taking Action: Your Voice Matters
The future of the soupfin shark hangs in the balance. While international protection under CITES is a massive step forward, continued vigilance and action are essential, particularly in safeguarding domestic protections under the ESA.
Now is the time to act! We urge you to join Shark Stewards in advocating for the continued strength of the Endangered Species Act and the full protection of soupfin sharks. During the remaining public comment period, send a letter or sign our petition to oppose any weakening of the ESA and to support robust conservation measures for these incredible creatures. Your voice can make a difference in ensuring a future where soupfin sharks thrive in our oceans.