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 our scientists for the UN Convention on Migratory Species.
THREAT 2
Ocean Pollution
Plastics, chemicals, and noise are changing the ocean. Filter feeders like whale sharks and manta rays swallow microplastics with almost every meal.
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 for the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.