The number of oceanic species of sharks (shark population) and rays has decreased by 71 percent from the year of 1970 due to a massive increase in fishing pressure by 18 times.
How Serious Is the Situation?
Three out of the eight oceanic species of sharks (shark population) and rays are currently threatened with extinction. It is estimated that approximately from 63 million to 273 million sharks were killed annually in the early 2000s for different purposes, such as for meat, fins, gills and liver oils. In the Indian Ocean, the situation is worse, and the number of sharks has decreased by approximately 85 percent since 1970.
Why Are Sharks Endangered?
According to NPR, sharks are characterized by long maturation and late reproduction cycles, which makes it difficult for them to recover after being depleted. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that most countries do not provide for certain limits regarding shark catches and that the waters of the high seas are unregulated in most cases.
Is There Any Possibility for Improvement?
Yes! There is evidence that the shark populations of white and hammerhead sharks from the US coasts have increased lately, indicating that providing certain regulations in connection with the shark fishing does deliver positive results in terms of basic safeguards work (or rebounding populations / recovery).Protecting sharks supports ocean health, alongside efforts for coral reefs and against jellyfish blooms.
You May Also Like
Is Deep Sea Mining Safe?
Explore the environmental risks of mining the ocean floor.
Are We in a Mass Extinction?
Find out if the sixth mass extinction has already begun.
Which Species Are Recovering?
Meet the top ten endangered species making a comeback.
