A new study in Science has found that overfishing is driving reef sharks toward extinction. The study, which was conducted by more than 150 researchers worldwide, including scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), found that the five main shark species that live on coral reefs have declined globally by an average of 63 percent.

The study’s results are based on 22,000 hours of video footage from baited underwater video stations across 391 reefs in 67 nations and territories. The footage shows that sharks are now absent from many reefs where they were once common. The study’s authors say that the main culprit for the decline of reef sharks is overfishing. Sharks are often caught as bycatch in fishing nets, and they are also targeted for their fins, which are used in shark fin soup. The study’s findings have important implications for shark conservation.

The authors say that strong shark and ray protections, such as well-enforced marine protected areas, are essential to preventing the extinction of reef sharks. WCS is committed to shark conservation, and the organization is using the study’s findings to inform its shark conservation efforts on national and local levels. WCS is also working to turn international policies into shark conservation measures such as protection, fisheries management measures, and marine protected areas. The study’s findings are a wake-up call for the world. If we do not take action to protect reef sharks, they could soon be gone forever.

Here are some key points from the study:

• Overfishing is the main culprit driving reef sharks toward extinction.
• Reef sharks have declined globally by an average of 63 percent.
• Sharks are now absent from many reefs where they were once common.
• Strong shark and ray protections are essential to preventing the extinction of reef sharks.
• WCS is committed to shark conservation and is using the study’s findings to inform its shark conservation efforts.