10 of the Most Endangered Sharks 

Sharks are in trouble. Overfishing, habitat destruction, and accidental bycatch are pushing some of these magnificent creatures to the brink of extinction. In this blog, we explore ten of the most endangered sharks, including the Pondicherry Shark and the Hidden Angelshark, and learn about the threats they face.

Pondicherry Shark (Carcharhinus hemiodon)

The Pondicherry Shark is a critically endangered species of whaler shark, and may even be extinct. This small shark, reaching a maximum length of just over 3 feet, was once found in coastal waters from Oman to southern China. However, due to a combination of factors, primarily intensive and unregulated fishing practices, it has disappeared from most of its range.

The primary threat to these endangered sharks is overfishing. The demand for shark products, including fins, has driven increased fishing efforts across its range. This has led to a severe population decline. It is estimated that there are only 249 adult Pondicherry sharks left.

Lost Shark (Carcharhinus obsoletus)

The Lost Shark is a small requiem shark that was once found in the southern South China Sea. This elusive species is known only from three specimens collected in the 1930s. Despite extensive surveys and monitoring efforts, no confirmed sightings of these endangered sharks have been reported in over 80 years.

Primary threats to the Lost Shark include a long history of intensive fishing. Populations declined rapidly for this small coastal shark, which likely found no refuge from fishing pressure in its shallow-water habitat. It is estimated that there are less than 50 adult Lost Sharks left.

Striped Smooth-Hound Shark (Mustelus fasciatus)

View an image of the striped smooth-hound shark here.

The Striped Smooth-Hound Shark is a critically endangered species found in the Southwest Atlantic, ranging from southern Brazil to Argentina. It is a medium-sized shark, reaching up to 5.8 feet in length, inhabits the continental shelf and upper slope, from shallow coastal waters to depths of 1,640 feet. These endangered sharks are characterized by their slender bodies, distinctive stripes (more prominent in juveniles), large heads and small eyes.

The Striped Smooth-Hound is caught as bycatch in commercial and artisanal fisheries using demersal trawls, gillnets and beach seines. The rapid expansion of these fisheries, coupled with inadequate management, has led to a 95% reduction in catches off Southern Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

Ganges Shark (Glyphis gangeticus)

The Ganges Shark is a critically endangered species, reaching up to 9 feet in length. It has a stocky grayish-brown body, a broad round snout and small eyes. It tolerates a wide range of salinities, inhabiting both freshwater and saltwater environments. Historically, these endangered sharks were found in the Indus River in Pakistan, the Ganges River in India and Bangladesh, the Yangon River in Myanmar, and the Kinabatangan River in Borneo. However, recent records are limited to India and Bangladesh, suggesting possible local extinction in other parts of its range.

The Ganges Shark faces numerous threats, primarily from fishing pressure and habitat degradation. It is caught as bycatch in various fisheries, and its fins and meat are highly valued. Habitat loss and modification due to dam construction, pollution and increasing river use further contribute to its decline. It is estimated that only 240 adult sharks remain.

Hidden Angelshark (Squatina occulta) 

The Hidden Angelshark is a critically endangered angel shark found in the Southwest Atlantic, ranging from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Argentina. This medium-sized shark, reaching up to 5.2 feet in length, primarily inhabits the continental shelf at depths of 33 to 490 feet.

Significant population declines are caused by heavy fishing pressure and its naturally low reproductive rate. In southern Brazil, abundance has been reduced by 85% with continued exploitation, while Argentina reports a 58% decline in trawl catches. These endangered sharks are notoriously difficult to identify, and catches are often reported at the genus level rather than by individual species. This makes it challenging to monitor the population trends of the Hidden Angelshark.

Daggernose Shark (Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus)

The Daggernose Shark is a critically endangered species found in the tropical waters of the Western Central and Southwest Atlantic, ranging from Trinidad and Tobago to Brazil. This medium-sized shark, growing up to 5.2 feet long, is the only surviving member of its genus. These endangered sharks are easily recognizable by their elongated, pointed snouts, tiny eyes and paddle-shaped pectoral fins. They prefer murky inshore habitats such as mangroves, estuaries and river mouths, typically at depths of 13 to 130 feet.

These endangered sharks face numerous threats, including being both targeted and incidentally caught in artisanal and commercial fisheries throughout its range. This species is particularly vulnerable to overfishing due to its slow reproductive rate, with females giving birth to live young approximately every other year. Habitat degradation from mangrove deforestation, coastal development, and pollution further jeopardizes its survival.

Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus longimanus)

The Oceanic Whitetip Shark, a large predator reaching up to 11.5 feet in length, was once a common sight in tropical and temperate oceans around the world. Preferring surface waters, though capable of diving to depths over 3,280 feet, this shark is known for its distinctive white-tipped fins and inquisitive nature. Sadly, this once abundant species has suffered a dramatic decline, with a global population reduction estimated at over 98% in recent decades.

This decline is largely attributed to overfishing. Oceanic Whitetips are frequently caught as bycatch in pelagic longline, purse seine, and gillnet fisheries targeting other species like tuna. Their high catchability, due to their surface dwelling habits and curious disposition, makes them particularly vulnerable to these fishing gears. They are often retained for their fins and meat, which are valuable in international trade especially for shark fin soup. Combined with their slow reproductive rate and long generation time, the Oceanic Whitetip is now “Critically Endangered” and faces an uncertain future.

Zebra Shark (Stegostoma tigrinum)

The Zebra Shark, also known as the Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark, is an endangered species of carpet shark found in coral reefs, rocky reefs and inshore habitats in the Indo-Pacific region. These endangered sharks exhibit strong site fidelity, often forming aggregations, which unfortunately makes them more susceptible to targeted fishing. These endangered sharks, reaching up to 8.7 feet in length, undergo a fascinating transformation as they mature. Juveniles have black and white stripes, resembling a zebra, while adults develop a spotted pattern similar to a leopard.

These endangered sharks face threats from habitat degradation due to the destruction of coral reefs from climate change, pollution and harmful fishing practices. Overfishing also poses a significant threat, as they are caught both intentionally and as bycatch. The Southeast Asian subpopulation is critically endangered due to the combined pressures of overfishing and habitat loss.

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)

The Whale Shark is the world’s largest fish and is classified as “Endangered.” This gentle giant has a circumtropical distribution, preferring warm waters above 21°C. They are found in notable aggregations in areas like Ningaloo Reef, the Arabian Gulf, and the Mozambique Channel. Whale Sharks are highly mobile creatures, inhabiting both coastal and oceanic habitats. They are known to dive deep, possibly for foraging or navigation, but primarily feed on plankton and small fish in the upper layers of the ocean.

Whale Sharks face a multitude of threats. Fisheries catches, both targeted and accidental bycatch, pose a significant risk to their populations. They are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in large-mesh gillnets and purse seine nets used for tuna fishing. Vessel strikes are also a major concern, as these slow-moving sharks often feed at the surface and can be injured or killed by ship propellers.

Furthermore, habitat degradation and pollution further contribute to their decline. While international trade in Whale Shark products is regulated, illegal fishing and finning still occur in some regions.

Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus)

The Basking Shark is the second-largest shark in the world. It is a filter feeder found in temperate and tropical waters around the globe. These endangered sharks prefer coastal areas and can be seen swimming slowly at the surface, filtering plankton, or migrating to depths of over 1,000 meters. These gentle giants can reach up to 40 feet in length and have a distinctive appearance with their large mouths and long gill slits.

Sadly, Basking Sharks are classified as “Endangered” due to historical overfishing for their valuable fins, meat, and liver oil. Although targeted fisheries have been banned in many countries, they still face threats from bycatch, entanglement in fishing gear, and collisions with vessels. Historic population declines have been observed in several regions, and recovery is slow due to their low reproductive rate. While there are signs of stabilization in some areas, continued conservation efforts are crucial for the survival of this endangered species.

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