New reports saying that nearly a third, 32% in fact, of all sharks, rays and skates are under the threat of extinction - and overfishing is to blame. The IUCN has released a list of 64 species which are under serious threat. The list includes Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini), Striped Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and Silver shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus).
Two of the most recognizable species of shark, the Scalloped Hammerhead and the Oceanic Whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus) are under serious threat. It is thought that both species have declined by 99% in recent years - a shocking statistic.
Sharks do not have large litters of young and they are slow to mature, with some species taking decades to reach sexual maturity. Due to this, they need time to develop - something they are not getting due to fishing. For years, sharks were merely a bycatch; useless and insignificant, their reputations tarred by media hype. However in recent times they have become somewhat of a delicacy caught and used for shark-fin soup. As it is considered such an elegance by the rich, the soup has become more sought after and demand has sky rocketed.
The fear for the global shark populations is growing and more and more are understanding how much we need to save our sharks. Spread the message!
For more information and to help out, contact the Shark trust at
