Sharks are a group of cartilaginous fish with distinct physical features such as 5-7 gill slits and unfused pectoral fins. Classified as Selachimorpha, they are closely related to Batoidea. While the term "shark" can informally encompass extinct shark-like species like hybodonts, true modern sharks (selachimorphs) emerged around 200 million years ago in the Early Jurassic period. Their evolutionary history can be traced back to the Devonian period with potential ancestors appearing in the Late Ordovician.
1916: Jersey Shore Shark Attacks
The 1916 Jersey Shore shark attacks, a series of unprovoked incidents, significantly shaped public perception of sharks as dangerous animals, a view later reinforced by fictional works like the "Jaws" franchise.
1930: Homer W. Smith's Shark Urine Research
In 1930, Homer W. Smith conducted research revealing that sharks lack sufficient sodium in their urine to prevent hypernatremia, suggesting an alternate salt secretion mechanism.
1950: New South Wales' Shark Netting Program Raises Concerns about Marine Life
Since 1950, New South Wales has employed a shark netting program to reduce human-shark interactions. However, this program has been widely criticized for its detrimental impact on marine life.
1960: Discovery of the Rectal Gland in Sharks
A breakthrough occurred in 1960 at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory: the discovery of the "rectal gland" in sharks. This gland, situated at the intestine's end, plays a crucial role in chloride secretion.
1962: Queensland's Long-Standing Shark Culling Program Raises Concerns
Since 1962, the Queensland government has carried out a controversial "shark control" program involving drum lines, leading to the deaths of a large number of sharks and other marine life, including dolphins and endangered hammerhead sharks.
1970: Shark Population Decline
In 1970, a concerning trend emerged: shark populations had plummeted by a staggering 71% due to overfishing, highlighting the severe impact of human activities on these creatures.
1991: South Africa Becomes the First Country to Protect Great White Sharks
In a landmark decision in 1991, South Africa became the first nation to grant legal protection to great white sharks, recognizing their ecological importance and vulnerability. However, the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board retained the authority to kill great white sharks within its "shark control" program in eastern South Africa.
1996: Estimated Annual Shark Killings for Commercial Markets (1996-2000)
Between 1996 and 2000, a disturbing estimate suggested that 26 to 73 million sharks were killed annually to supply commercial markets, underscoring the significant toll of the shark fin trade.
1996: Estimated 38 Million Sharks Killed Annually for Fins (1996-2000)
From 1996 to 2000, a staggering estimated 38 million sharks were killed each year solely for their fins, highlighting the devastating impact of this cruel and unsustainable practice.
2000: Global Shark Finning Yield Reaches 1.44 Million Metric Tons
In 2000, the global shark finning yield reached a staggering 1.44 million metric tons, reflecting the immense scale of this unsustainable practice.
2000: Shark Finning Prohibition Act
In 2000, the United States Congress took action to address shark finning, passing the Shark Finning Prohibition Act to ban the practice at sea.
2000: Estimated 38 Million Sharks Killed Annually for Fins (1996-2000)
From 1996 to 2000, a staggering estimated 38 million sharks were killed each year solely for their fins, highlighting the devastating impact of this cruel and unsustainable practice.
2001: Analysis of Shark Attack Fatalities
Between 2001 and 2006, a global analysis revealed an average of 4.3 fatalities per year from unprovoked shark attacks, shedding light on the relatively low risk these incidents pose to humans.
2001: Queensland's Lethal Drum Lines Claim Over 10,000 Sharks (2001-2018)
From 2001 to 2018, lethal drum lines in Queensland claimed the lives of over 10,480 sharks, including those within the Great Barrier Reef, raising concerns about the program's impact on shark populations and marine ecosystems.
2003: European Union Introduces Shark Finning Ban
The European Union introduced a general ban on shark finning in 2003, applicable to all vessels of all nationalities in Union waters and vessels flying a member state's flag.
September 2004: Monterey Bay Aquarium's Successful Captivity of a Great White Shark
In a significant milestone for shark captivity, the Monterey Bay Aquarium successfully housed a young female great white shark for 198 days in September 2004, challenging previous beliefs about the long-term captivity of these apex predators.
2005: Massive Shark Fin Exports to Singapore (2005-2007, 2012-2014)
Between 2005 and 2007, and again from 2012 to 2014, over 14,000 tonnes of shark fins were exported to Singapore, a global hub for the shark fin trade, highlighting the role of international markets in this industry.
2006: International Shark Attack File Investigation
In 2006, the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) conducted an investigation into 96 alleged shark attacks, confirming 62 as unprovoked and 16 as provoked, providing valuable data on shark-human interactions.
2007: Massive Shark Fin Exports to Singapore (2005-2007, 2012-2014)
Between 2005 and 2007, and again from 2012 to 2014, over 14,000 tonnes of shark fins were exported to Singapore, a global hub for the shark fin trade, highlighting the role of international markets in this industry.
2007: "Sharkwater" Documentary Exposes Shark Hunting Practices
The 2007 documentary "Sharkwater" brought global attention to the unsustainable hunting practices decimating shark populations worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.
2008: Loopholes in Shark Finning Legislation
A federal appeals court ruling in 2008 revealed a significant loophole in the 2000 Shark Finning Prohibition Act, allowing non-fishing vessels to buy shark fins from fishing vessels while at sea.
2008: New South Wales' Shark Nets Kill Thousands of Marine Animals, Including Endangered Species
By 2008, New South Wales' shark nets had killed a staggering 15,135 marine animals, including dolphins, whales, turtles, dugongs, and critically endangered grey nurse sharks. The program's high bycatch and its contribution to the decline of shark populations in eastern Australia have made it a subject of ongoing debate.
2008: Estimated Annual Shark Killings Reach 100 Million
In 2008, a shocking estimate revealed that nearly 100 million sharks were being killed annually due to commercial and recreational fishing, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts.
2009: IUCN Red Lists One-Third of Oceanic Shark Species
In 2009, the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species, highlighted the increasing risk to sharks, listing one-third of oceanic shark species as threatened with extinction due to fishing and shark finning.
2009: Soaring Price of Shark Fin Fuels Black Market Trade
In 2009, the price of shark fin soared to approximately $300 per pound, fueling a thriving black market trade and exacerbating the threats to shark populations worldwide.
March 2010: Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks
A significant milestone for global shark conservation was reached in March 2010 with the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks, established under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). This agreement promotes international collaboration for the research, protection, and management of migratory shark populations.
December 2010: Shark Conservation Act
In December 2010, the United States Congress passed the Shark Conservation Act, aiming to close a loophole in the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000 that allowed non-fishing vessels to buy shark fins from fishing vessels at sea.
2010: Shark Finning Yield Remains High at 1.41 Million Metric Tons
Despite growing concerns, the shark finning yield in 2010 remained alarmingly high at 1.41 million metric tons, highlighting the ongoing demand for shark fins and the need for stricter regulations.
2010: Greenpeace and Other Organizations Raise Awareness About Shark Fishing
Greenpeace International added several shark species to its seafood red list in 2010, aiming to raise awareness about unsustainable shark fishing practices. Other advocacy groups, including Shark Trust and Seafood Watch, also launched campaigns to promote responsible shark consumption and conservation.
2010: CITES Rejects Proposals for Stricter Shark Trade Regulations
In 2010, proposals by the United States and Palau to CITES, urging stricter trade regulations for specific endangered shark species - scalloped hammerhead, oceanic whitetip, and spiny dogfish - faced rejection. Although receiving majority support, the proposals fell short of the required two-thirds vote, with opposition led by China and Japan.
2010: Hawaii Takes a Stand Against Shark Fin Trade
In a landmark move, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to outlaw the possession, sale, trade, and distribution of shark fins in 2010, setting a precedent for shark conservation efforts.
January 2011: Shark Conservation Act Signed into Law
The Shark Conservation Act, which sought to close loopholes in previous legislation against shark finning, was signed into law in January 2011.
2012: Massive Shark Fin Exports to Singapore (2005-2007, 2012-2014)
Between 2005 and 2007, and again from 2012 to 2014, over 14,000 tonnes of shark fins were exported to Singapore, a global hub for the shark fin trade, highlighting the role of international markets in this industry.
March 2013: CITES Adds Endangered Shark Species to Appendix II
Representing a significant step towards shark conservation, CITES added three endangered and commercially valuable shark species - hammerheads, oceanic whitetip, and porbeagle - to Appendix II in March 2013, subjecting them to licensing and regulation for fishing and trade.
June 2013: European Union Amends Shark Finning Ban
Addressing remaining loopholes, the European Union amended its general shark finning ban in June 2013, originally introduced in 2003.
July 2013: New York Bans Shark Fin Trade
New York state, a major hub for the shark fin trade, enacted a ban in July 2013, joining other U.S. states and territories in providing legal protection for sharks.
2014: Massive Shark Fin Exports to Singapore (2005-2007, 2012-2014)
Between 2005 and 2007, and again from 2012 to 2014, over 14,000 tonnes of shark fins were exported to Singapore, a global hub for the shark fin trade, highlighting the role of international markets in this industry.
2014: Western Australia's Shark Cull and "Imminent Threat" Policy Spark Controversy
In 2014, Western Australia implemented a controversial shark cull using drum lines, resulting in the deaths of numerous sharks, primarily tiger sharks. The cull was met with public outcry and was eventually halted. Subsequently, the state implemented an "imminent threat" policy, allowing the killing of sharks deemed a threat to humans. These measures sparked significant controversy and debate regarding shark conservation and human safety in the region.
2016: First Video Capture of a Sleep-Swimming Great White Shark
In a groundbreaking event in 2016, researchers captured the first-ever video footage of a great white shark believed to be engaged in "sleep swimming," a state of unconsciousness while swimming, highlighting the unique physiological adaptations of these creatures.
March 2017: Western Australia Cancels "Imminent Threat" Shark Policy
In March 2017, following public criticism and concerns about the killing of endangered species, Western Australia canceled its controversial "imminent threat" policy, which permitted the killing of sharks deemed a threat to humans.
August 2018: Western Australia Announces "SMART" Drum Line Program
In August 2018, Western Australia announced plans to reintroduce drum lines, but this time employing "SMART" drum lines, aiming for a more targeted and less indiscriminate approach to shark mitigation.
2018: Queensland's Shark Culling Program Faces Criticism for Bycatch and Effectiveness
By 2018, Queensland's long-standing shark culling program faced mounting criticism for its high bycatch of non-target species and its questionable effectiveness in enhancing human safety, leading to calls for alternative approaches to shark management.
January 16, 2019: U.S. States and Territories Enact Shark Fin Bans
As of January 16, 2019, a total of 12 U.S. states, including Massachusetts, Maryland, Delaware, California, Illinois, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, Rhode Island, Washington, New York, and Texas, along with the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, have implemented laws prohibiting the sale or possession of shark fins.
April 2020: DNA Analysis Traces Shark Fins to Source Populations
Highlighting the potential of DNA analysis in conservation efforts, researchers in April 2020 successfully traced endangered hammerhead shark fins from a Hong Kong retail market back to their original populations. This breakthrough helps identify fishing locations and aids in the fight against illegal fishing.
July 2020: Study Highlights Global Decline of Reef Sharks
A comprehensive study published in July 2020 revealed alarming results about the state of reef sharks globally. Surveying 371 reefs across 58 nations, researchers found no sharks in almost 20% of the reefs, linking shark depletion to socio-economic factors and the effectiveness of conservation measures.
2021: Oceanic Shark and Ray Population Plummets by 71%
By 2021, a dire assessment revealed a 71% decline in oceanic shark and ray populations over the preceding half-century, highlighting the devastating consequences of overfishing and other human-induced threats.
2021: Studies Reveal Severe Decline in Shark and Ray Populations
Multiple studies in 2021 revealed a concerning decline in global shark and ray populations. A study in Nature highlighted a 71% decrease in oceanic shark and ray numbers over the past 50 years due to overfishing, classifying species like the oceanic whitetip and various hammerheads as critically endangered. Another study in Current Biology attributed overfishing to the extinction risk faced by over one-third of shark and ray species, with tropical waters experiencing faster declines compared to temperate zones.