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Even the most ferocious sharks in the ocean stand little chance in the face of human competition.
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Sharks have trawled the world's oceans for millions of years—the earliest species predated the dinosaurs. Today, many species rule as apex predators that dominate the top of the underwater food chain. In every ocean in the world—at astonishing depths and shallow waters alike—they hunt.
Sharks also stimulate the imaginations of humans, who seem eternally fascinated by their strength, speed, and unmatched ability as predators. Indeed, the popularity of Shark Week—and documentaries tracking "man eaters" in particular—is a testament to this fascination.
But even as sharks instill fear in the minds of beach goers, the ever-increasing reach of human impact on the oceans has placed several species in danger. Today, Planet 100 counts down the top 5 endangered shark species.
WATCH VIDEO: Top 5 Endangered Sharks
5. Basking Shark
Image credit: image100/Corbis
In at number five, the slow moving and generally harmless Basking Shark, gets its name from basking in shallow temperate waters to feed.
Unfortunately its docile nature has been its downfall as it fast became a staple of the fishing industry. Its fins still appear in shark fin soup and its cartilage is used in traditional Chinese medicine or as an aphrodisiac in Japan.
4. Dusky Shark
In at number four, one of the largest of its genus, Dusky Sharks have a slender, streamlined body and their eyes are equipped with protective third eyelids.
But sadly they too are being endangered by a bowl of soup. Dusky sharks are now so depleted that scientists at the National Marine Fisheries Service estimate it could take from 100 to 400 years to rebuild their populations.
3. Scalloped Hammerhead
Image credit: Comstock/Thinkstock
Defined by its unusual hammer-shaped head, the Scalloped Hammerhead is often seen in schools of up to one hundred. It's at number three in our Top 5 Endangered Sharks.
Like the many large coastal shark species, the scalloped hammerhead has seen population declines of over 95% in the last 30 years—mind boggling given sharks evolved some 400 million years ago. The scalloped hammerhead was added to the "globally endangered" species list in 2008.
2. Whale Shark
Image credit: Comstock/Thinkstock
In at number two, Whale Sharks—which can grow up to 40 feet—are the largest living fish species, can live up 100 years, and are endangered.
Although revered around the world, whale sharks are still targeted by fishermen in areas where they seasonally aggregate. Considered vulnerable by IUCN, their hunting is banned in some countries including The Philippines, India and Taiwan.
1. Great White Shark
Image credit: David Fleetham/Getty Images
In at number one, although they were depicted in Jaws a ferocious man eater, in reality humans are not the preferred prey of the Great White Shark.
In fact, its humans that are endangering Great Whites through over-fishing and collisions with shipping vessels. It's now estimated that only 3500 great whites are left in the wild, making them more endangered than tigers.
That's our Top 5 Endangered Sharks. How do you feel about the decline of these magnificent creatures? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment at the Planet Green YouTube page. See you tomorrow for more Planet 100.
Credits:
Great White Shark ©Comstock/Thinkstock
2nd great white ©David Fleetham/Getty Images
Basking shark © image100/Corbis
Shark fin soup ©AP Photo/Eugene Tanner
Shark hunting ©Jeff Rotman/Getty Images
Dusky shark – Creative Commons
Scalloped Hammerhead ©Comstock/Thinkstock
Whale Shark – VIDEO: Edmond Alexander
