Sharks, skates, rays and chimaera, are among the world’s most threatened animals.
We need sharks to keep our oceans healthy and teeming with life. But human activity is pushing many species to the brink. Sharks and rays are particularly vulnerable to overfishing due to their biology. They:
- ARE SLOW GROWING & LATE TO MATURE – as an extreme case the Greenland Shark can live ~400 years and doesn’t reach sexual maturity until ~150 years! Many are killed before they’ve produced offspring.
- HAVE LONG PREGNANCIES – averaging between 9-12 months. The Greeneye Dogfish has the longest recorded pregnancy at 31 months!
- PRODUCE FEW YOUNG – varying from 2 pups for the Bigeye Thresher and up to 135 for the Blue Shark. Compare this to the reproduction potential of bony fish who release millions of eggs.
- MAY NOT REPRODUCE EVERY YEAR – some species have a resting phase of 1-2 years.
Overfishing is the primary threat for all threatened species and is the only threat for two-thirds of these species. Many species of sharks and rays are targeted for their meat and fins in commercial, artisanal, and subsistence fisheries. Others are caught incidentally in fisheries for bony fishes or other taxa that exhibit faster life histories that enable them to better withstand fishing pressures. While some non-target species are retained in significant numbers for international trade, other incidentally caught species may be kept for their meat for local consumption, or their fins for sale in international markets. Other uses include animal feeds, skins and other body parts made into apparel and accessories, liver oil for pharmaceuticals, and biodiesel fuel.
Shark and ray fisheries operate at local, national, regional and international scales and support complex global markets as well as local community economies. Effective conservation requires coordinated action on a global scale.
Overfishing is exacerbated by:
1. Lack of Species and Population-Specific Data Many government agencies and non-governmental organizations are involved in ongoing study of patterns of shark diversity, abundance, threat, and conservation solutions.
The July 2024 Assessment from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identifies that of 1247 species, 172, or 14%, are data deficient.
2. Need for Policy and Legislation
Policy initiatives involving species and habitat protection, fisheries management and trade regulation play a vital role in shark and ray conservation.
However, there is a lack of appropriate policy and legislation for, and implementation of, effective management measures such as population-level take limit quotas, and marine protected areas.
The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and international agencies have historically recommended a variety of domestic and international policy and regulatory actions to achieve sustainable shark populations, however adoption and implementation of many of these is still inadequate.
3. Habitat Loss and Degradation
The loss of habitat, such as mangroves and estuaries which are critical nursery areas, to residential and commercial development, agriculture, aquaculture, and natural system modifications, like dams or dredging, worsen the impacts of overfishing in nearly one-fifth of species.
4. Climate Change
Anthropogenic climate change through the burning of fossil fuels threatens 10% of shark and ray species with extinction and exacerbates overfishing and habitat loss through two mechanisms. Effects of climate change are rapidly degrading coral reef ecosystems due to increased sea surface temperatures and subsequent decreases in coral cover from bleaching and disease. Further, many temperate species are declining in the equatorward portion of their range because it is less ecologically suitable due to higher water temperatures.
5. Pollution
Pollution from a wide variety of both point- source and non-point sources can be a non- lethal stressor that compounds other threats.
6. Misaligned Public Attitudes
Media portrayals of sharks are subject to exaggeration and misrepresentation. Negative human/shark interactions, with a focus on a narrow group of species, influence the wider public perception of the taxa. Popular shark documentaries frequently focus on a limited and unrepresentative scope of research methods and professional diversity.
Though the impact of this representation on public attitudes about shark conservation is unproven, it is widely anticipated to be a factor in engaging support for conservation efforts.
Recently, attention has turned to the media portrayal of conservation solutions for sharks and rays. However, research has identified a mismatch between scientists’ recommended approaches to shark conservation and the reporting of more values-based campaigns.
Effective, science-based, inclusive and accessible communication can be a powerful ally to shark and ray conservation efforts. It’s vital to engage a broad cross section of public audiences in the priorities for contemporary conservation and the vital role of science, policy advocacy and sustainable fisheries management. As trusted messengers for conservation solutions for the general public, our program is uniquely situated to capitalize on our massive audiences to influence positive behavior change to benefit elasmobranch conservation.
DEMAND FOR SHARK & RAY PRODUCTS
Shark meat and products can be found in restaurants, health food stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, fashion stores, souvenir and pet shops. Often consumers are unaware certain products contain shark, as it’s not clearly labelled. Consumer awareness is key.
- SHARK MEAT & FINS – it’s encouraging to see declines in demand for shark fins. Yet it’s important to note that the global trade in shark meat is on the rise. This is likely to far exceed any demand for fins, which are mainly sent to East and Southeast Asia.
- MANTA & DEVIL RAY GILL PLATES – these are highly sought after in the Chinese medicinal trade. It’s claimed that gill-rakers can filter out disease and toxins from the body. The gill -rakers, which are used by rays to filter zooplankton from the water, are often consumed in a soup called Peng Yu Sai. They’re worth an estimated US$11 million annually. The gill plate trade, centered in Guangzhou, China, has stimulated intensive fishing for these rays in many countries.
- SHARK LIVER OIL (labelled squalene/squalane) – this can be found in a surprising number of products. From moisturizers, deodorants and sun tan lotion, to lip balm, lipsticks and other cosmetics. It’s also used in vaccines, pills and supplements. The highest return of squalene comes from the livers of deep-sea sharks. And so, they’re intensively fished. Due to the nature of their biology they’re unable to withstand this level of fishing pressure. Many are now listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species.
- SHARK CARTILAGE – is sold as a health supplement in many health food shops and pharmacies. It’s believed to help a variety of conditions, including arthritis, shingles, rheumatism, hemorrhoid’s, psoriasis and even cancer. Yet there’s no clinical evidence to support these claims.
- SHARK LEATHER (shagreen) – shark skin has been used for decades to make leather because it’s so durable. It’s particularly popular in the United States, northern Europe and Japan. It’s used to create luxury items such as, wallets, shoes (including football boots created by the brand Kelme), handbags, watch straps, belts, gloves, jackets and furniture. As well as sandpaper and on sword handles, as its rough texture helps with grip.
- SHARK TEETH & JAWS – these can often be seen for sale in seaside tourist shops. Despite the fact that in many countries it’s illegal to catch sharks. White Sharks are protected under CITES, yet their teeth and jaws can fetch huge sums on the black market. A single tooth can sell for over $100 and a whole set of jaws can fetch up to $10,000 in the USA. Sadly, illegal smuggling of White Shark teeth is becoming increasingly common in countries such as South Africa.
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