From Fear to Fascination

Around 100 million sharks are killed by humans each year—that’s 200 sharks per minute. Dive into more information about the threats endangering these incredible animals.

Fishing
Unsustainable commercial fishing practices and demand for shark fin soup has caused a steep decline in global shark populations—by up to 90% in some areas of the world.

Habitat loss
Sharks are losing their habitats due to man-made events such as oil spills, pollution, chemical waste, trawling fishing nets, and destruction of reefs—just to name a few.

Marine pollution
An estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic trash enter the ocean every year and the World Economic Forum predicts that by 2050 there may be more plastic than fish (by weight) in the world’s oceans.

Climate change
As water temperatures and acidity levels rise due to acute climate change, sharks could face devastating impacts to their habitats, reproduction, and food sources.

Myth: Sharks eat humans.
Despite the bad reputation sharks get in the media, the vast majority of sharks are not dangerous to humans. Shark attacks do occur but it’s often a case of mistaken identity when a person is sending the same signals as a shark’s natural prey. A shark’s diet typically consists of smaller fish and invertebrates or, if a larger species, animals such as sea lions and seals.

Myth: Sharks will eat anything.
Research shows that sharks will peacefully allow small fish to clean their jaws and skin—proving they’re not just mindless eating machines that will attack anything that moves.

Myth: Sharks are mindless.
Sharks are actually very intelligent. Scientists tell us that sharks not only exhibit complex social behaviors but they can be trained to successfully execute response and reward exercises.

There are many ways you can help endangered shark species:

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle
80% of the ocean’s pollutants come from land. Always be responsible for your own trash and reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever possible.

Make Sustainable Seafood Choices
Making seafood choices that are responsibly sourced and supporting responsible fishing practices are easy ways to save sharks and help maintain healthy ocean ecosystems.

Advocate & Volunteer
Make new friends by joining a trash clean-up in your city. Local clean-up events sweep hundreds of miles of beach, marsh, and rivers systems every year.