Sharks and Rays in Danger of Going Extinct - Find Out Why Here

Overfishing has been a constant problem in the conservation of marine life. According to a study by the Shark Specialist Group at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a quarter of the world's population of sharks and rays are in danger of going extinct because of this issue.

The study revealed that under IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species, 249 out of 1,041 species of sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras fall under the categories of "Critically Endangered", "Endangered", and "Vulnerable".

IUCN pointed out that the areas where sharks and rays are most commonly hunted down are in the Indo-Pacific, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.

According to a statement by Shark Specialist Group co-chairman Nick Dulvy in a press release, "There are no real sanctuaries for sharks where they are safe from overfishing. In the most peril are species of rays and sharks, especially those living in shallow water that is accessible to fisheries. The combined effects of overexploitation - especially for the lucrative shark fin soup market - and habitat degradation are most severe for the 90 species found in freshwater."

Duly also noted that the extinction of sharks means we will be losing an entire chapter in our evolutionary history. "They are the only representatives of the fish lineage to have jaws, brains, placentas, and the modern immune system of vertebrates," he said.

More importantly, the extinction of sharks will have drastic environmental and economic effects. He adds, "The biggest species tend to have the greatest predatory role. The loss of top or apex predators cascades throughout marine ecosystems."

Being on top of the food chain, sharks contribute in maintaining a healthy and strong marine life population by preying on the old, weaker, and sick aquatic animals.

Based on the study by IUCN, improvements in the management of commercial fishing are highly needed to protect marine life from the increasing threat of human activities in oceans.

Duly added that unless drastic conservation efforts are carried out, people's grandchildren won't have the chance to see sharks and rays in their natural habitat.