Over three quarters of our planet are covered by the oceans. Their biodiversity is unmatched and they contain over 80 percent of all life on earth, mostly unexplored. Millions of people worldwide are depending on the oceans for their daily livelihoods. More and more all this is endangered because of ignorance and a global lack of management. Overfishing.org is an independent source of information on the most dangerous threat our oceans are facing today.

Many shark species are endangered, and a number are on the verge of extinction. This is primarily due to three major factors: destruction of habitats (especially mangroves which serve as shark nurseries); by catch of ocean going fish factories; and extreme exploitation and overfishing for their fins and cartilage, all of which are used  in useless and superstitious ways by various cultures for food and "medicines". And the endangered list includes not only lesser known sharks but also one of the ocean's most magnificent predators, the Great White Shark as well as the extraordinary Whale and Basking Sharks.

1. Ganges shark (Freshwater species)

2. Borneo shark 

3. Basking shark - North Pacific & Northeast Atlantic sub-populations 

4. Speartooth shark 

5. Whitefin Topeshark 

6. Angular Angel shark - Brazilian sub-population 

7. Smoothback Angel shark 

8. Spinner shark - Northwest Atlantic sub-population 

9. Pondicherry shark 

10. Smoothtooth Blacktip 

11. Blacktip shark - Northwest Atlantic sub-population 

12. Dusky shark - Northwest Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico sub-populations 

13. Grey Nurse shark (aka Sand Tiger) 

14. Great White shark 

15. Gulper shark 

16. Basking shark 

17. School shark (aka Tope shark) 

18. Bluegray Carpetshark 

19. Porbeagle shark 

20. Whale Shark