Though EJF continues to document sharks being caught, such as the endangered Great Hammerhead photographed here, there is some good news suggesting the tide is turning for threatened sharks in Liberia.

Recently, bans on the use of shark fins have come into place in California and at state functions in Hong Kong.

The latter restriction came after a sophisticated, ten-year campaign conducted by Wild Aid. This has resulted in a noticeable decline in the price offered in Monrovia’s fish markets for fins.

Some Liberian canoes have converted from targeting sharks to more plentiful fish species for local consumption, which not only protects sharks but also boosts local food security.

This shows the hard work of organisations like Wild Aid have has paid off. Demand reduction can make a powerful and rapid difference to the world’s endangered marine species.

This offers encouragement to those campaigning for further bans on the trade in shark fins around the world. Devastating scenes like this are already becoming rarer, but they need to end altogether if species like the Great Hammerhead are to recover.

EJF is advocating for the legal protection of sharks.