Sharks and rays threatened with extinction

The first complete IUCN Red List assessment of the status of all Mediterranean sharks and rays has revealed that 42 percent of the species are threatened with extinction.

Overfishing, including bycatch, is the main cause of decline, according to the research.

The report, released today by the IUCN Shark Specialist Group and the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, shows that the region has the highest percentage of threatened sharks and rays in the world.