This practice, while not only being cruel and inhumane, leads to the eventual death of the organism. Which with expansive finning occurring globally will lead to a decreased measure of biodiversity and will eventually create a negative impact in the disastrous effects of climate change. Sharks are a higher order consumer that keep lower primary and secondary consumer levels at appropriate levels - allowing massive carbon sinks filled with diverse plant life to remain intact. Without sharks these carbon sinks wouldn't exist and all that carbon would end up in our atmosphere. Not to mention, how would you feel if you had a limb cut off, had no medical treatment after your amputation, and were thrown back into the world? Not very good.