But many species of these aquatic apex predators are now in danger of dying out forever.
Of the thousand known species of sharks and rays (sharks’ closest living relatives), over a third of them are at risk of extinction.
And since sharks are “indicators of ocean health,” as sharks go, so does the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.
A 2021 report showed over the last 50 years, global shark and ray populations have fallen more than 70%.
Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, oceanic whitetip shark numbers in the Pacific Ocean have fallen an estimated 80 to 95% within the last 30 years, according to NOAA.
Persons:
They’ve, ”, Reinhard Dirscherl, Nick Dulvy, “, Ocean Foundation It’s
Organizations:
CNN, “ Sharks, Rays, NOAA, Ocean Foundation
Locations:
Texas