There’s plenty of data indicating the decline of sharks, but also a lack of data in critical areas. There are specific surveys of regional fisheries, some of which are cited elsewhere on Shark Savers indicating that 97 to 99% of regional populations of shark species are gone already. And there are anecdotal reports from divers worldwide that indicate sightings of sharks at all the places they could be dependably found are way down.

But, it still takes people to count populations and compare the data to historical trends to draw conclusions regarding the status of a species.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an organization that that conducts assessments of plant and animal species that are at risk of extinction. It regularly publishes the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In the 2008 Red List, 50 shark species are listed as being at high risk of extinction (either Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable). Another 63 shark species are approaching threatened status (either Conservation Dependent or Near Threatened).

That does not mean all of the other species are out of the woods. There is just not enough data in many cases to make a determination one way or another.

Another organization charged with identifying species at risk is CITES, or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. CITES is an outgrowth of the IUCN, but is different than the IUCN in that it is an international agreement between governments. Currently, there are 172 countries that are 'parties' to CITES. CITES aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

An important step in stoping the international trade of endangered species is to agree on which species are endangered. CITES currently only has a few shark species on their list: Basking Shark, Great White Shark, Whale Shark, and the Sawfishes. As early as 2002, CITES called for broader, better management of shark fishing, recognizing that sharks were being heavily and unsustainably exploited. Unfortunately, neither CITES nor any other international body has any enforcement capability and have to get broad agreement before species are added to their list.

Sharks on the 2008 IUCN Red List

Critically Endangered (extremely high risk of extinction)
10 Shark Species

Endangered (very high risk of extinction)
9 Shark Species

Vulnerable (high risk of extinction)
31 Shark Species

Near Threatened (close to being added to one of the above categories)
63 Shark Species
Includes one species assessed as 'conservation dependent': Leopard Sharks