^w^ The popularity of seafood has caused a resurgence in the shark fishing industry.
^w^ The most common methods of commercial fishing are long lines and gill nets. Both methods are controversial, and each has been banned in certain waters.
^w^ Millions of sharks and other fishes are discarded every year as bycatch. Bycatch are the extra fish caught and considered waste by the fisherman who is seeking a specific species.
^w^ The fins constitute approximately half of the economic value of the shark.
^w^ Finning is the irresponsible practice of removing the shark fins and then throwing the shark back into the ocean to bleed to death or drown. This is not common practice among responsible fisherman.
