As top predators in marine food pyramids, large sharks are much less abundant than species at lower levels. So unlike sardines, mackerel, or even tuna, there are fewer sharks to start with. To compound the problem, sharks grow slowly and can take 10 years or more to reach sexual maturity. These low reproductive rates make shark populations particularly sensitive to overfishing, and overfished populations are extremely slow to recover. The ocean is an extremely important source of protein, but many marine species are being fished at greater levels than their populations can sustain.
Research is an important part of the solution.
Only by understanding the biology, distribution, and ecological role of sharks can we construct wise management plans. The survival of many species, including our own, depends on swift, affirmative answers to these questions.