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Underwater concept of global problem with plastic rubbish floating in the oceans. Shark in caption of plastic bag

Photo by: Jag_cz

Jag_cz

Endangered Sharks of the World

By: Discovery

Our world's oceans are continually challeged by pollution, overfishing, and climate change. This affects sharks just as much as it affects humans--if not more so. Read on to learn about some endangered sharks that need our help.

March 20, 2020

It is not new news that our oceans are polluted. There are thousands of endangered animals in our ecosystem and just because sharks are the king of the sea, doesn’t mean they are exempt from the threats of over-fishing, finning, habitat disruption, and pollution. Did you know that some of the most iconic sharks reside on the endangered list?

Great Hammerhead

The great hammerhead is highly endangered and nearing extinction due to the fin trade and their close-to-shore habits.

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Photo by: Ken Kiefer 2

Ken Kiefer 2

Great White Shark

The great white shark may rule supreme, but due to both targeted and accidental fishing, these majestic creatures are vulnerable to extinction.

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Great White Shark with the afternoon light in its open jaws. Taken at the Neptune Islands, Spencer Gulf, South Australia.

Photo by: Alastair Pollock Photography

Alastair Pollock Photography

Whale Shark

The whale shark is an interesting case--they also are valuable to the fin trade and in some places, it is common to see a while shark on a menu. Recently though, toursim has actually helped the whale shark, as there are popular excursions where you can swim with them in many tropical locales. This makes them more valuable alive to some.

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Whale shark swimming near the surface in Cenderawasih Bay. Whale sharks here are thought to be resident all year round feeding by sucking nutrients from the fishing nets that hang below the fishing platforms(bagans).

Photo by: by wildestanimal

by wildestanimal

Scalloped Hammerhead

Unlike the great hammerhead, the scalloped hammerhead finds its home with a gam (more commonly known as a school or herd). Though this protects them from their very few natural predators, it makes them easier to find and catch, which leads to their spot on the endandgerd species list.

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SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD SHARK, Sphyrna lewini, Sphyrnidae, Red Sea, Egypt

Photo by: Gerard Soury

Gerard Soury

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