The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has released a report, Global Status of Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras, that highlights new knowledge compiled by 353 experts from 115 countries and stresses the urgent need to address overfishing and bycatch in all countries.

​A recent assessment using the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species indicated that more than one-third of sharks, rays, and chimaeras are threatened with extinction.  

«A new analysis published today in the journal Science finds that one-in-seven deepwater sharks and rays are threatened with extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species criteria. A team of experts from around the world note that the biggest threat to this group of deepwater megafauna is overfishing, specifically being captured incidentally as bycatch of fisheries targeting commercially important species. ​»