The WorldShark.com™ website is dedicated to promoting shark conservation and providing educational content, links and multimedia resources for the world of sharks.

What is Endangering Sharks?

There are estimated to be four hundred species of sharks in the world’s rivers, seas and oceans, and new ones are being discovered every year. But a number of threats to these animals has resulted in many shark species—like the Great White, Lemon, Tiger and Hammerhead—becoming so decimated that they are in danger of extinction.

A rising demand for shark body parts has led to a worldwide explosion in shark fishing. Teeth and bone are used for ornaments. Skin is used for leather. Liver oil is used in cosmetics and even in aircraft manufacturing. Shark cartilage is used for dubious cancer "treatments." A growing demand for shark fin soup—a delicacy in parts of Asia—has led to an increase in the practice of “finning” a shark’s dorsal fin is cut off and the animal is thrown back into the water, unable to swim, dead within hours. Sharks are hunted for sport. Significant numbers of sharks are killed as “bycatch” aboard commercial ships trolling for other fish.

With sharks at the top of the ocean’s food chain, the slaughter of 100 million sharks a year (according to the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization) has a severe effect on the entire marine ecosystem. The survival of one of the ocean’s oldest and most beautiful animals is at risk.

What Can I Do?

If you share a passion for learning about sharks and protecting them and their natural environment, please consider becoming a WorldShark.com™ Member. You can also support this site’s mission by purchasing one of our great collectibles from our online store! Each membership enrolled and each collectible sold allows WorldShark.com™ to further ensure the conservation of sharks and help teach people about these wondrous and often misunderstood animals. Your support makes a tremendous difference!