Editing Shark (section)

===Fishery===
In 2008, it was estimated that nearly 100 million sharks were being killed by people every year, due to commercial and recreational fishing.<ref>[http://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/shark-fishing.htm HowStuffWorks "How many sharks are killed recreationally each year - and why?"]. Animals.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved on 2010-09-16. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307145446/http://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/shark-fishing.htm |date=March 7, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="sharkfinsoupcnn">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/10/pip.shark.finning/index.html|work=CNN|title=Shark fin soup alters an ecosystem—CNN.com|date=2008-12-15|access-date=2010-05-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326060120/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/10/pip.shark.finning/index.html|archive-date=2010-03-26|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, it was estimated that the population of oceanic sharks and rays had dropped by 71% over the previous half-century.<ref name="Einhorn"/>

Shark finning yields are estimated at {{convert|1.44|e6MT|e6ST|abbr=off}} for 2000, and {{convert|1.41|e6MT|e6ST|abbr=off}} for 2010. Based on an analysis of average shark weights, this translates into a total annual mortality estimate of about 100 million sharks in 2000, and about 97 million sharks in 2010, with a total range of possible values between 63 and 273 million sharks per year.<ref name="MarinePolicy201212">{{cite journal| doi=10.1016/j.marpol.2012.12.034 | volume=40 | title=Global catches, exploitation rates, and rebuilding options for sharks | year=2013 | journal=Marine Policy | pages=194–204 | last1 = Worm | first1 = Boris | last2 = Davis | first2 = Brendal | last3 = Kettemer | first3 = Lisa | last4 = Ward-Paige | first4 = Christine A. | last5 = Chapman | first5 = Demian | last6 = Heithaus | first6 = Michael R. | last7 = Kessel | first7 = Steven T. | last8 = Gruber | first8 = Samuel H.| bibcode=2013MarPo..40..194W }}</ref><ref name=eLife2014>{{cite journal|title=Extinction risk and conservation of the world's sharks and rays |journal=eLife |volume=3 |pages=e00590 |author1=Nicholas K Dulvy |author2=Sarah L Fowler |author3=John A Musick |author4=Rachel D Cavanagh |author5=Peter M Kyne |author6=Lucy R Harrison |author7=John K Carlson |author8=Lindsay NK Davidson |author9=Sonja V Fordham |author10=Malcolm P Francis |author11=Caroline M Pollock |author12=Colin A Simpfendorfer |author13=George H Burgess |author14=Kent E Carpenter |author15=Leonard JV Compagno |author16=David A Ebert |author17=Claudine Gibson |author18=Michelle R Heupel |author19=Suzanne R Livingstone |author20=Jonnell C Sanciangco |author21=John D Stevens |author22=Sarah Valenti |author23=William T White |doi=10.7554/eLife.00590|pmid=24448405 |pmc=3897121 |year=2014|quote=eLife 2014;3:e00590 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Sharks are a common seafood in many places, including [[Japan]] and [[Australia]]. In southern Australia, shark is commonly used in [[fish and chips]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Endangered shark meat sold in Australian fish and chip shops, study finds |url=https://news.sky.com/story/endangered-shark-meat-sold-in-australian-fish-and-chip-shops-study-finds-12797363 |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> in which fillets are battered and [[Deep frying|deep-fried]] or crumbed and grilled. In fish and chip shops, shark is called [[Flake (fish)|flake]]. In [[India]], small sharks or baby sharks (called sora in [[Tamil language]], [[Telugu language]]) are sold in local markets. Since the flesh is not developed, cooking the flesh breaks it into powder, which is then fried in oil and spices (called sora puttu/sora poratu). The soft bones can be easily chewed, they are considered a delicacy in coastal [[Tamil Nadu]]. [[Iceland]]ers ferment [[Greenland shark]]s to produce a delicacy called [[hákarl]].<ref name="Herz2012">{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204661604577186843056231170 |title=You eat that? |last=Herz |first=Rachel |date=28 January 2012 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=30 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317012217/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204661604577186843056231170 |archive-date=17 March 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> During a four-year period from 1996 to 2000, an estimated 26 to 73 million sharks were killed and traded annually in commercial markets.<ref name=Bakalar_10_12_2006>{{cite magazine |last=Bakalar |first=Nicholas |title=38 Million Sharks Killed for Fins Annually, Experts Estimate |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061012-shark-fin.html |date=October 12, 2006 |magazine=National Geographic |access-date=2012-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017121948/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061012-shark-fin.html |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Sharks are often killed for [[shark fin soup]]. Fishermen capture live sharks, fin them, and dump the finless animal back into the water. [[Shark finning]] involves removing the fin with a hot metal blade.<ref name="sharkfinsoupcnn"/> The resulting immobile shark soon dies from suffocation or predators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sharktrust.org/content.asp?did=26881|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804143851/http://www.sharktrust.org/content.asp?did=26881|url-status=dead|title=Stop Shark Finning Factsheet|first=Ali|last=Hood|date=June 7, 2007|archivedate=August 4, 2008|website=www.sharktrust.org}}</ref> Shark fin has become a major trade within black markets all over the world. Fins sell for about $300/lb in 2009.<ref name="sharkconservation1">{{Cite web |url=http://actionnetwork.org/pewenvironmentgroup/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=35263072 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130903003354/http://actionnetwork.org/pewenvironmentgroup/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=35263072 |archive-date=2013-09-03 |title=The Action Network |date=September 3, 2013 |website=archive.ph}}</ref> Poachers illegally fin millions each year. Few governments enforce laws that protect them.{{r|eLife2014}} In 2010 Hawaii became the first U.S. state to prohibit the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins.<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/us/29brfs-SHARKFINSOUP_BRF.html
|newspaper=The New York Times
|title=Hawaii: Shark Fin Soup Is Off the Menu
|agency=Associated Press
|date=May 28, 2010
|access-date=June 20, 2010
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701073502/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/us/29brfs-SHARKFINSOUP_BRF.html
|archive-date=July 1, 2017
|url-status=live
}} Research exemptions are available.</ref> From 1996 to 2000, an estimated 38 million sharks had been killed per year for harvesting shark fins.<ref name=Bakalar_10_12_2006/> It is estimated by [[Traffic (conservation programme)|TRAFFIC]] that over 14,000 tonnes of shark fins were exported into Singapore between 2005–2007 and 2012–2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.traffic.org/what-we-do/species/sharks-and-rays/|title=Sharks and Rays - Species we work with at TRAFFIC|website=www.traffic.org|access-date=2019-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110234829/https://www.traffic.org/what-we-do/species/sharks-and-rays/|archive-date=2019-01-10|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Shark fin soup is a [[status symbol]] in Asian countries and is erroneously considered healthy and full of nutrients. Scientific research has revealed, however, that high concentrations of [[BMAA]] are present in shark fins.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Kiyo |last1=Mondo |first2=Neil |last2=Hammerschlag |first3=Margaret |last3=Basile |first4=John |last4=Pablo |first5=Sandra A. |last5=Banack |first6=Deborah C. |last6=Mash | title = Cyanobacterial Neurotoxin β-N-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in Shark Fins | journal = Marine Drugs | date = 2012 | volume = 10 | issue = 2 | pages = 509–520| doi= 10.3390/md10020509|pmid=22412816 | pmc=3297012|doi-access=free }}</ref> Because BMAA is a [[neurotoxin]], consumption of [[shark fin soup]] and cartilage pills, therefore, may pose a health risk.<ref name=ScienceDaily>{{cite web | url = https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120223182516.htm | title = Neurotoxins in shark fins: A human health concern | date = February 23, 2012 | publisher = [[Science Daily]] | access-date = August 9, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190809004711/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120223182516.htm | archive-date = August 9, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref> BMAA is under study for its pathological role in neurodegenerative diseases such as [[ALS]], [[Alzheimer's disease]], and [[Parkinson's disease]].

Sharks are also killed for [[Shark meat|meat]]. European diners consume [[Squalidae|dogfishes]], [[smoothhound]]s, [[Scyliorhinidae|catshark]]s, makos, porbeagle and also skates and rays.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.sharkalliance.org/do_download.asp?did=1090
| title=Shark fisheries and trade in Europe: Fact sheet on Italy
| access-date=2007-09-06
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005153/http://www.sharkalliance.org/do_download.asp?did=1090
| archive-date=2007-09-27
| url-status=live
}}</ref> However, the [[United States|U.S.]] [[Food and Drug Administration|FDA]] lists sharks as one of four fish (with [[swordfish]], [[king mackerel]], and [[tilefish]]) whose high [[mercury in fish|mercury content]] is hazardous to children and pregnant women.

Sharks generally reach [[sexual maturity]] only after many years and produce few offspring in comparison to other harvested fish. Harvesting sharks before they reproduce severely impacts future populations. Capture induced premature birth and abortion (collectively called capture-induced parturition) occurs frequently in sharks/rays when fished.<ref name="Adams" /> Capture-induced parturition is rarely considered in fisheries management despite being shown to occur in at least 12% of live bearing sharks and rays (88 species to date).<ref name="Adams" />

The majority of shark fisheries have little monitoring or management. The rise in demand for shark products increases pressure on fisheries.<ref name=ParttGruberTaniuchi/> Major declines in shark stocks have been recorded—some species have been depleted by over 90% over the past 20–30 years with population declines of 70% not unusual.<ref>{{cite book
| last=Walker |first=T.I.
|year=1998
|title=Shark Fisheries Management and Biology}}</ref> A study by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] suggests that one quarter of all known species of sharks and rays are threatened by extinction and 25 species were classified as critically endangered.<ref name=xray>{{cite web|last=France Porcher|first=Illa|title=One Quarter of Sharks and Rays Face Extinction|url=http://www.xray-mag.com/content/one-quarter-sharks-and-rays-face-extinction|access-date=2014-01-24|date=2014-01-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126030443/http://www.xray-mag.com/content/one-quarter-sharks-and-rays-face-extinction|archive-date=2014-01-26|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Bloomberg>{{cite news|last=Morales|first=Alex|title=Extinction Threatens 1/4 of Sharks and Rays on Red List|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-21/extinction-threatens-1-4-of-sharks-and-rays-on-red-list.html|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121183131/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-21/extinction-threatens-1-4-of-sharks-and-rays-on-red-list.html|archive-date=21 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>