The IUCN Shark Specialist Group (SSG) has recently (2008) completed an assessment of the conservation status of all cartilaginous fish species in the Mediterranean. Specific details on the status of conservation of each Mediterranean species can be found in the IUCN web site (www.iucnredlist.org).

The IUCN-SSG Global Shark Red List Assessment shows that the Mediterranean Sea has a larger percentage of threatened cartilaginous species than other regions: 42% (30 species) are considered Threatened (13% Critically Endangered, 11% Endangered and 13% Vulnerable). A further 18% are considered Near Threatened, 14% Least Concern and a quarter of species (26%) are Data Deficient.