Ocean predator is still vulnerable

Many nations and territories have implemented shark-fishing prohibitions and sanctuaries to safeguard one of the world’s oldest species. Photo: AFP

Global shark populations are plummeting despite worldwide efforts to curb mass killings for their fins, researchers said in a new report showing that more needs to be done to protect one of the ocean’s apex species.

Between 2012 and 2019, the number of sharks killed from fishing increased from some 76 million a year to more than 80 million, they reported in the journal Science.