In nature there are various species known as apex predators, since in the ecosystems where they develop, unless these animals are sick or older, they usually do not have natural predators. This eventually occurs with some sharks, particularly those of large size or great ferocity. However, the greatest predator on planet earth is the human being, since he has been able to confront and unfortunately dominate even the strongest and most fearsome animals that exist. Sharks, as sharks are also known, are an example of what has been proposed, since there are several of them that are at the top of food webs, but their populations have been impacted by human activities.
Do you want to know the endangered sharks and what threats they face? We invite you to continue reading this article on our site to find out why some species of sharks are becoming extinct.
Bull shark (Carcharias taurus)
This species is also known as the sand tiger shark, among other common names. It has a circumglobal distribution, with a presence on all continents except the poles and the Eastern Pacific. It is classified in the category critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because throughout its range it has high pressure due to direct fishing for the consumption of its meat and fins, in addition to obtaining liver oil and fishmeal. Incidental fishing and its capture for water parks also count as affecting factors.
Great Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran)
The very peculiar great hammerhead shark is another shark species in danger of extinction, as it is classified by the IUCN critically endangeredIt is distributed throughout all seas with tropical and warm temperate conditions.
The main threat to this shark is direct fishing for its fins, which are in high demand for processing of soups. The meat, liver oil, skin, cartilage and even the jaws are also used.
Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
The whale shark is the largest living fish in the world, which makes it a very particular species. It is found in all the seas of the world, both tropical and warm temperate, with the exception of the Mediterranean. Its large size has not saved it from being included among the sharks in danger of extinction.
Although direct fishing is no longer done so frequently in various regions, for a long time it has been experiencing serious ongoing slaughter in order to market its meat at high prices. In fact, today there are still regions, mainly in Asia, that continue to capture it directly or accidentally Accidents involving large vessels and use in the tourism industry also negatively affect the populations of this shark.
Angelo shark (Squatina squatina)
The angel shark, as it is also known, formerly had a distribution from Scandinavia to northeast Africa, including the Canary Islands of Spain, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. However, although it has not been directly captured for commercialization, accidental fishing has had devastating effects on the species, as well as the levels of disturbance of the marine ecosystem in various areas, which has finally led the angelshark to be critically endangered
Although this is the common one, did you know that there are different species of angel shark? Do not miss this article where we talk about the Types of angel shark.
Mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)
The mako shark is distributed in a cosmopolitan way, being present in all the temperate and tropical oceans of the world. The species is in the category endangered and this is due to three reasons. In the first place, direct hunting, since it is highly commercialized for the consumption of meat, skin, oil and jaws. Secondly, accidental capture also has important adverse effects in different countries and, thirdly, it is an animal that is captured by the improper activity known as " sportfishing", which after catching the animal is released, but 30% of released sharks end up dying from injuries or damage inflicted on them.
Gray reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
This shark has a more restricted distribution, which is located in tropical waters of the western Indian Ocean and in the Central Pacific, although it also has a certain presence in the eastern tropical area of the latter. It is classified endangered due to capture by industrial fisheries and also accidentally. Their meat, skin, oil, fins and teeth are sold. It is also used for displays in both private and public aquariums.
Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi)
The common name of the species indicates its presence only in the American continent, with a distribution that includes the Central, Western and Southeast Atlantic Ocean, being from North Carolina, the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to Brazil, preferably in coral reefs in tropical waters.
It is considered endangered both because of direct captureas for the accidental. The meat is not commercialized in large proportions, unlike other parts of its body that, in addition to being consumed, are used as decorations.
Borneo Shark (Carcharhinus borneensis)
It is a shark native to Asia, specifically Indonesia and Malaysia, with an uncertain presence in China and the Philippines. The unsustainable direct capture to market its meat, fins and other parts of its body, is the reason that has led the species to be consideredcritically endangered
Small tailed shark (Carcharhinus porosus)
Also known as porous shark, this species is native to America and is considered one of the sharks in danger of extinction, with a distribution that goes from the United States to Brazil. This shark is threatened by both industrial and artisanal fisheries, which market its meat and other parts of the animal. It is listed as Critically Endangered
Pelagic Thresher (Alopias pelagicus)
Also called pelagic thresher, this shark species is listed as Endangered It is distributed over a wide range in the Indus Ocean -Pacific, both tropical and subtropical. It has high blood pressure from eating its meat, fins, liver, and skin. All estimates indicate a steady and continuing decline in the species.
Other endangered shark species
Unfortunately, not a few shark species are in danger of extinction. Here are 10 more endangered sharks:
- Indonesian Angel Shark (Squatina legnota)
- Hidden Angel Shark (Squatina occulta)
- Serrated Angel Shark (Squatina aculeata)
- Indonesian Bamboo Shark (Chiloscyllium hasselti)
- Zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum)
- Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
- Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini)
- Dopedog (Galeorhinus galeus)
- Devourer shark (Centrophorus granulosus)
- Strip shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus)
As we see, even large predators like sharks are severely affected by human activities. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of our actions and not encourage animals such as sharks to become extinct. As we have seen, accidental hunting or accidents with boats are also among the causes of population decline. For this reason, there are associations and foundations that are dedicated to treating injured specimens to cure them and return them to their habitat in order to guarantee that they can continue to live. One of them is the Fundación CRAM, dedicated to the rescue, recovery, rehabilitation and release of marine animals. Helping these entities is also another way to protect species such as sharks in danger of extinction. For this reason, we can make donations, which can be sporadic or monthly and of the amount that we want. Even with just €1 a month we help a lot.
