pääsmata

Pääsmata is a term of Finnish origin that roughly translates to "without a fin" or "finless." It is most commonly used in a biological context to refer to fish that have been deliberately deprived of their fins, often for the purpose of shark finning. This practice involves the removal of a shark's fins, typically while the shark is still alive, before the shark is discarded back into the ocean. The fins are then used in culinary dishes, most notably shark fin soup.

The practice of shark finning is highly controversial due to its severe impact on shark populations and marine ecosystems. Sharks are apex predators, and their decline can have cascading effects throughout the food web. Many species of sharks are threatened or endangered, and finning is a major driver of this decline.

In recent years, there has been a growing global movement to ban shark finning and the trade of shark fins. Many countries and regions have implemented legislation to prohibit the practice, and a number of international organizations advocate for stronger conservation measures for sharks. The term pääsmata serves as a stark reminder of the fate of fish subjected to this practice.