Conservation

Despite popular perceptions of sharks as invincible, shark populations around the world are declining because of overfishing, habitat destruction and other human activities. Of the 350 or so species of sharks thought to exist worldwide, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists 79 as imperiled, ranging from "critically endangered" to "near threatened." White sharks are considered "vulnerable." Like all sharks, white sharks play a vital role in the ocean's food web. They're top predators in the sea but—like most sharks—they're in grave danger of being depleted.

White sharks are in danger of being depleted and need your help.

White sharks are in danger of being depleted and need your help.

Some Protection in Place, but Hunting Continues

While over 100 nations fish for sharks, only a handful have enacted regulations to protect them. Most white shark research and conservation groups are located in places where the population of white sharks are highest—off California, South Africa and Australia. These regions, as well as U.S. waters off the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico, have laws that protect white sharks from either harassment or killing and the sale of body parts.

In October 2004, white sharks gained new protection in a global wildlife treaty approved by the U.N.-affiliated Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The 166 member-nations in CITES approved regulations requiring a controlled system of permits for all international trade in white shark parts and products. Under the new regulations trade will be closely monitored, and may be banned altogether if white shark numbers keep fading.

Small in numbers, slow to reproduce and distributed throughout the world, white sharks are vulnerable to exploitation. Their relatively small numbers have been reduced by fishing to feed the curio trade, by incidental catch in commercial fishing gear that targets other species, and by sportfishing. Scientists hope that tagging and other research methods can unlock the mystery of the white shark and assist in global conservation efforts.

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