60% OF PELAGIC SHARKS FACE
EXTINCTION

Why should I WORRY?

5 PEOPLE killed by sharks every year

100,000,000 SHARKS killed by people every year

That’s 7% of the shark population killed annually

What is CAUSING IT?

FISHING FOR FINS

A flourishing trade in Asia! A kilo of fins sells for between €300 and €500.

UNCONTROLLED FISHING

Shark populations have fallen by more than 90% in exploited areas.

BY-CATCHES

Certain fishing practices such as gillnets and longlines have a devastating impact on populations.

SPORT FISHING

2.5 million sharks are killed for sport. Shark fishing is not regulated.

SHARKS

AN UNLOVED YET VITAL FISH IN THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM

Most shark species are harmless to humans. As the last link in the food chain, they play a vital role in maintaining well-balanced marine environments:

  • They feed on the many sick fish they encounter on their journeys. Eliminating the weaker ones, they help in the selection of the fittest and so ensure species survival.
  • They feed on the many sick fish they encounter on their journeys. Eliminating the weaker ones, they help in the selection of the fittest and so ensure species survival.

Overfishing of sharks poses a serious threat to the survival of the species, because population renewal is very slow – they reach sexual maturity late (almost ten years of age for some species) and the gestation period is long (up to 22 months).

What CAN I DO?

STAY INFORMED & ACT SMART

Don’t be influenced by the negative image of sharks portrayed in some movies – they don’t reflect reality

DEFEND THE ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY

Support community initiatives protecting sharks around the world (for example, Longitude 181, Stop finning, etc.)

CHANGE YOUR CONSUMPTION HABITS

Don’t buy or use squalene (shark oil) based moisturizers and cosmetics.

RELEASE ALL RECREATIONAL FISH CATCHES

Systematically practice NO KILL (release the fish after being caught) for all shark catches.