Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFrozen
Industry PositionPrimary Fishery Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupPelagic shark (Chondrichthyes) — fishery product
Scientific NamePrionace glauca
PerishabilityHigh
Growing Conditions- Oceanic and pelagic habitat in temperate and tropical waters; highly migratory across major ocean basins.
Consumption Forms- Further-prepared culinary use (commonly soups) after thawing and preparation.
- Intermediate trade product for downstream processing and foodservice distribution.
Grading Factors- Verified species identity and CITES documentation readiness (Appendix II compliance).
- Physical integrity (cuts, tears, excessive trimming) and absence of contamination.
- Frozen quality indicators: stable deep-frozen temperature, minimal dehydration/freezer burn, appropriate glazing/packaging.
Market
Frozen blue shark fin (Prionace glauca) is a high-risk, tightly scrutinized seafood commodity linked to the global shark fin trade, with supply originating largely from pelagic longline and multi-gear fisheries that also target tuna and tuna-like species. Species-composition research and policy reporting identify Hong Kong as a central hub in the global shark fin market, while blue shark has been reported as a dominant species in fins sampled in Hong Kong retail channels. Since 25 November 2023, international trade in blue shark is subject to CITES Appendix II permit requirements (including legal acquisition and non-detriment findings), increasing compliance costs and the probability of trade disruption for non-compliant supply. Market dynamics are shaped by enforcement intensity, traceability capability (including species ID), and evolving consumer and institutional pressure against finning and unsustainable shark exploitation.
Market GrowthMixed (post-2023 regulatory environment)Demand and trade volumes are increasingly shaped by regulatory controls, enforcement intensity, and reputational pressure, alongside persistent end-market demand in traditional channels.
Major Producing Countries- 대만Among the main fleets with reported retained blue shark catch in the Indian Ocean (IOTC; mean annual retained catch 2020–2024).
- 스페인Among the main fleets with reported retained blue shark catch in the Indian Ocean (IOTC; mean annual retained catch 2020–2024).
- 인도네시아Among the main fleets with reported retained blue shark catch in the Indian Ocean (IOTC; mean annual retained catch 2020–2024).
- 일본Longline fleets have historically reported blue shark catch in the Indian Ocean; trade exposure depends on retention and landing practices (IOTC context).
- 포르투갈EU fleets (including Portugal) are noted among industrial longline fisheries catching blue shark in the Indian Ocean (IOTC context).
Major Exporting Countries- 스페인Material supplier exposure via distant-water and industrial fleets catching blue shark; export ability depends on CITES Appendix II documentation and destination controls.
- 인도네시아Material supplier exposure via multi-gear fisheries catching blue shark; export ability depends on CITES Appendix II documentation and destination controls.
- 대만Material supplier exposure via industrial longline fleets catching blue shark; export ability depends on CITES Appendix II documentation and destination controls.
Major Importing Countries- 홍콩Identified as a central hub/market for shark fins, with enforcement focused on CITES-listed shark products.
Supply Calendar- Indian Ocean (high seas and EEZs):Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, DecHighly migratory pelagic species caught across seasons; reported retained catch dominated by longline in recent IOTC summaries.
- Atlantic Ocean (pelagic longline fisheries):Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, DecSupply can be continuous given wide distribution and year-round industrial fishing effort on pelagic fleets; seasonality is fishery-specific.
- Pacific Ocean (pelagic longline fisheries):Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, DecSupply can be continuous given wide distribution and year-round industrial fishing effort on pelagic fleets; seasonality is fishery-specific.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Frozen fin product from blue shark (Prionace glauca); traded as whole fins or cut/trimmed fin pieces depending on buyer specification.
- Quality risk is sensitive to dehydration/freezer burn and temperature abuse during storage and transport (general frozen fishery product handling guidance).
Packaging- Frozen storage and distribution typically require maintaining product at -18°C or below, with packaging and/or glazing used to reduce dehydration and protect quality (Codex/FAO frozen fishery product guidance).
ProcessingDownstream culinary use commonly involves thawing and further preparation before consumption; buyer specifications often emphasize species identification and legal documentation due to CITES controls.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Pelagic capture (often longline) -> landing/port handling -> separation/processing of fins and chilling/freezing -> frozen storage -> export with required documentation -> import clearance and inspections -> wholesale distribution -> foodservice/retail preparation
Demand Drivers- Traditional luxury consumption channels for shark fin soup in key markets, with Hong Kong functioning as a major trade/market hub.
- Persistent end-market demand alongside increased scrutiny and shifts in consumption behavior in some markets.
Temperature- Frozen fishery products are commonly specified to be kept at not more than -18°C throughout the product for storage and transport (Codex/FAO guidance; EU hygiene rules cite -18°C as a reference requirement for frozen fishery products).
Shelf Life- Frozen fish can achieve storage life that may exceed one year if properly frozen and maintained at -18°C or below, though practical life varies by product characteristics and temperature stability (FAO technical guidance on freezing and refrigerated storage; Codex/FAO code of practice definitions and storage guidance).
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighSince 25 November 2023, blue shark (Prionace glauca) is subject to CITES Appendix II controls, requiring export permits/Introduction from the Sea certificates based on Legal Acquisition Findings and Non-detriment Findings; shipments lacking compliant documentation, credible species identification, or traceability can be delayed, seized, or denied market access.Implement end-to-end traceability with robust species ID and documentation workflows (CITES permits/IFS, LAF/NDF readiness), and prioritize sourcing from suppliers with demonstrated compliance capacity.
Illegal Trade HighThe shark fin trade has documented illegal import incidents and enforcement actions, and the product’s high scrutiny increases exposure to customs seizures and reputational damage when supply chains cannot demonstrate legality and species-level compliance.Use verified suppliers, require catch documentation and chain-of-custody records, and apply routine third-party and/or laboratory-based species verification where risk is elevated.
Reputational Risk MediumShark fin products are strongly associated with controversial practices and conservation concerns, creating ongoing brand and buyer risk as institutions and consumers reduce shark fin consumption and increase pressure on suppliers and foodservice operators.Adopt explicit sourcing policies (anti-finning, CITES-compliant, traceable supply), publish compliance statements, and prepare for customer-driven delisting scenarios.
Sustainability- Shark finning and waste/discards: global conservation frameworks emphasize minimizing waste and discards from shark catches and improving data and management of shark fisheries (FAO IPOA-Sharks).
- Overfishing and bycatch pressures on pelagic sharks: blue sharks are widely taken in industrial fisheries and are a major species in fin trade channels, heightening sustainability scrutiny and management intervention risk.
Labor & Social- Forced labour and human trafficking risks in parts of the commercial fishing sector, particularly affecting migrant workers on vessels operating for long periods at sea (ILO).
- Worker safety risks in industrial capture fisheries with hazardous working conditions and limited oversight in remote operations (ILO).
FAQ
Is blue shark fin trade regulated under CITES?Yes. Blue shark (Prionace glauca) is subject to CITES Appendix II controls that took effect on 25 November 2023, meaning international trade requires the relevant permits/certificates and supporting findings that the specimens were legally acquired and that trade is not detrimental to the species’ survival.
Why is Hong Kong important in the global shark fin market?Multiple policy and research summaries describe Hong Kong as a center of the global shark fin trade, and Hong Kong market sampling studies have identified blue shark as a dominant species present in fin products sold through retail channels.
What are key upstream supply sources for blue shark in industrial fisheries?In the Indian Ocean, IOTC reporting identifies longline fisheries as the main source of retained blue shark catch, with large contributions attributed to fleets flagged to Taiwan, Spain (EU), and Indonesia in recent multi-year averages.