According to the IUCN, a quarter of the world’s shark species are threatened with extinction due to overfishing – every year, over 100 million sharks are slaughtered. Many are killed by the cruel practice of finning, where sharks have their fins sliced off while alive and are thrown back into the water where, unable to swim, die slowly.
Vulnerable
Current total population unknown
8 inches – 40 feet
Oceans
Finning, overfishing and bycatch
Sharks have been around for over 150 million years. While most of us are familiar with a few shark species, there are over 400 species of sharks. Their presence is critical to the health of fragile marine ecosystems.
Despite their reputation as ruthless killers, sharks are much more likely to fall victims to humans than the other way around. Illegal fishing as well as markets across the globe for shark fins – used to make soup – are a significant part of the demand that is fueling the killing.
Recent conservation efforts have helped to slow the sharp decline but sharks grow very slowly, taking years to mature and they produce very few young. These characteristics make the shark particularly vulnerable. Shark populations simply cannot replenish at the rate by which they are being slaughtered.
Meaningful wildlife protection laws and better enforcement will make a difference in ending the trade in shark products, and will give shark populations a chance to rebound to healthy levels.