Further, shark species have faced a threat of extinction due to mass destroying of sharks to obtain their fins for exporting and large number of sharks are killed all over the world for shark fins. Since there is a high demand for the special soup prepared using shark fins in the East Asian countries like Japan and China, shark hunting has become a more profitable livelihood.
As the cartilage part of the shark fins is used for shark soup, the fishermen have used to cut the main fin of the caught sharks and sometimes they release the sharks after cutting the fins out at sea itself. The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has totally prohibited the capturing of Whale Shark, Treasure Shark and Ocean White Strip Shark that are under threat of extinction.Shark is one of the species which helps to keep a balanced maritime environment. Sri Lanka Navy is committed to avert all illegal acts which harm the environment.