A third of open ocean sharks are threatened with extinction, according to the first global study to assess the conservation status of 64 species. Tuna fisheries, already facing strong criticism for overfishing, and the practice of “finning” sharks for soup ingredients take much of the blame.

Hammerheads and giant devil rays are among the species classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as "globally endangered", while great whites and basking sharks are classed as vulnerable to extinction.



The smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) is shown.



(Image: Wayne Levin / Getty) Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)



(Image: Jeff Rotman / Nature Picture Library / Rex Features) Great white (Carcharodon carcharias)



(Image: Design Pics Inc / Rex Features) Advertisement Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus)



(Image: Alan James / Nature Picture Library / Rex Features) Oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus)



(Image: Brian J. Skerry / Getty) Giant devil ray (Mobula mobular)



(Image: Sarah Faulwetter / sarsifa) Makos shortfin (Isurus oxyrinchus)



(Image: Andy Murch / wiki)