Every Shark Lost Is an Ocean Diminished
The Shark Network is a global nonprofit fighting to protect every species of shark through policy, science, media, and the world's most comprehensive shark tracking network.
The Shark Network is a global nonprofit fighting to protect every species of shark through policy, science, media, and the world's most comprehensive shark tracking network.
After 450 million years of evolution, sharks face their greatest threat: us. An estimated 100 million sharks are killed every year, pushing many species toward extinction.
Every year, tens of millions of sharks are caught, their fins sliced off while still alive, and their bodies thrown back into the ocean to drown. This cruel practice — driven by demand for shark fin soup — has decimated populations of hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, and dozens of other species.
For every shark deliberately hunted, many more die as bycatch — accidentally caught in nets and longlines targeting other fish. Without stronger regulations, entire species will vanish from our oceans within a generation.
Sharks are not the villains of the sea — they are its architects. Remove them, and entire marine ecosystems collapse.
As top predators, sharks regulate the populations below them, maintaining the delicate balance that keeps coral reefs, seagrass beds, and open ocean ecosystems thriving.
Healthy shark populations help maintain carbon-capturing ecosystems. The ocean absorbs 25% of global CO2 — and sharks play a critical role in keeping that system intact.
Shark ecotourism generates over $314 million annually worldwide — a living shark is worth far more to local economies than a dead one ever could be.
Sharks predate trees, dinosaurs, and even Saturn's rings. These ancient survivors carry genetic secrets that could unlock breakthroughs in medicine and materials science.
Shark population trends serve as a barometer for the overall health of marine ecosystems. When sharks thrive, the ocean thrives.
By regulating fish populations, sharks help sustain the marine food web that over a billion people depend on for protein. Losing sharks threatens global food security.
We're building the world's most comprehensive interactive map of shark movement — integrating tracking data from researchers, governments, and conservation groups worldwide.
From the halls of government to the open ocean, The Shark Network works across every front to secure a future for sharks.
We advocate for and support legal bans on shark finning, stronger bycatch regulations, and the creation of marine protected areas in critical shark habitats worldwide.
Through film, photography, and digital storytelling, we shift the public narrative around sharks — from fear to fascination, from apathy to action.
Our Global Shark Tracker initiative integrates data from researchers worldwide to map migration patterns and identify the habitats that matter most.
Every voice matters. Whether you follow our journey, spread the word, or contribute directly — you become part of the network protecting sharks worldwide.