The life history traits of most shark species, including late maturity, slow growth rate, and low fecundity (few offspring), make them particularly vulnerable to overfishing. A global analysis done in 2021, found that 32% of the 1,199 species of shark, ray, and chimaera that were assessed were critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable.
This analysis was carried out by the IUCN Shark Specialist Group (SSG).
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The infographic below discusses many reasons why sharks are disappearing at an alarming rate.
SHARK FINNING
Shark finning is the act of removing a shark's fins and discarding the remaining carcass into the ocean. Without fins, sharks are unable to swim, which results in a slow death from suffocation or predation by other animals. Shark fins are primarily used in shark fin soup. Fins can sell for more than $100 US/kg. This lucrative business has led to an estimated 26 million to 73 million sharks being killed every year to support this trade. Note: Shark fins that are sold in the market may not have been acquired from shark finning (though they could have). A shark can be caught and kept with fins attached to sell each part separately.
Shark Finning: Removal of a shark's fins and discarding the remaining carcass into the ocean.
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Shark Fin Trade: The global import and export of shark fins.
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Shark Finning Ban: The act of shark finning is illegal in a region or country's surrounding waters.
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Shark Fin Ban: This can include a ban on the sale, import, export, and/or possession of shark fins.
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Fins Attached: This means the entire shark must be landed (caught) and brought in to port fully intact.
SHARK FISHERIES
Fishing is the most impactful practice for sharks and rays, mainly motivated by high demand for consumption and technological development, which favors increasing fishing efforts and uncontrolled activity, resulting in overfishing and imminent collapse of populations. Although people have caught and consumed sharks for many hundreds of years, in recent decades the demand for shark products has increased exponentially, creating a global market.
Today, industrial and artisanal fleets from all over the world supply traditional Asian markets for shark fins, including skate and ray fins. The shark meat trade is increasingly being diverted along separate supply channels to meet demand in growing markets such as Brazil and Mexico. This is due to a combination of demand growth and anti-finning regulations intended to encourage the full utilization of the carcasses. The market for shark meat has expanded considerably.
SHARK FISHING
Sharks are caught as target or bycatch by a variety of fishing vessels, from local artisanal boats to industrial longline fleets. Typically, the artisanal sector (e.g. small longliners and net fisheries) use ice for preservation and supposedly catch juvenile and neonate sharks for domestic consumption. The industrial sector typically uses gillnets and longlines, aiming to catch mature sharks. They use a freezer system to preserve the shark and usually export (fins and/or meat) to other countries.
In some regions, recreational fishing can be even more harmful for some shark species. For example, from 2013-2015 more non-dogfish sharks were killed in the United States by recreational fishing than by commercial fishing (State of U.S. Fisheries, 2013, 2014, 2015).
BYCATCH
Bycatch is the unwanted fish and other marine creatures caught during commercial fishing for a different species (non-target species). Many species of shark are caught as bycatch.
HABITAT LOSS
Habitat loss occurs when an area is changed or degraded to a point where it can no longer serve as a home for the species that live there.
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This loss can come from direct and indirect actions. Human activities including trawling, mangrove removal, coastal development, mining, aquaculture, and pollution are causes of habitat loss.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is affecting the world's oceans in various ways. This includes: coastal erosion, weather patterns, frequency of storms (hurricanes), water temperature, and sea level. This in turn has an impact on marine life, including sharks. These changes can influence migration, food distribution, reproduction, behavior, and even size at birth.
Studies have already seen migration patterns in TIGER SHARKS and BLACKTIP SHARKS being influenced by warming water temperatures.
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EPAULETTE SHARK studies have shown that increased temperatures have sped up their growth rates. Pups hatch from eggcases earlier and are exhausted. It also indicates the risk for other species to be born weaker and smaller.
MARINE DEBRIS & POLLUTION
Marine debris, especially plastic pollution, poses a serious threat to sharks. Sharks can become entangled in fishing lines, nets, or other debris, leading to injury, impaired movement, or even death. Some species may also mistake plastic for prey and ingest it, which can block their digestive systems and cause internal damage or starvation. This image is a powerful reminder of why we need to keep our oceans clean!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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