THREAT 1
Overfishing & Bycatch
Of about 1,200 known species of sharks, rays, and chimaeras, 391 are threatened with extinction — and fishing is the primary threat to every single one.
Read the full article →CONSERVATION.
HUMAN THREATS TO
SHARKS & RAYS.
More than one in four shark and ray species is threatened with extinction. These are the human pressures driving that crisis — written by MMF co-founder Dr Simon J Pierce for the UN Convention on Migratory Species.
THREAT 2
Ocean Pollution
Plastics, toxic chemicals, and oil spills are changing the ocean. Filter feeders like whale sharks and manta rays can swallow microplastics as they feed, especially where their feeding grounds are polluted.
Read the full article →
THREAT 3
Climate Change
The ocean absorbs about 90% of the heat trapped on Earth. Warming water is moving sharks into new regions and making old habitats unlivable.
Read the full article →
THREAT 4
Habitat Loss
Coastal development, dredging, and destructive fishing are removing the nurseries, reefs, and feeding grounds that sharks and rays depend on.
Read the full article →
THREAT 5
Tourism
Done well, wildlife tourism funds conservation. Done badly, it disturbs feeding, changes behavior, and puts boats and propellers too close to animals.
Read the full article →These articles were written by MMF co-founderDr Simon J Pierce (the Tourism article with Ryan Charles) for the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.