Sharks’ Role as Top Predators Threatened
- ANTOFAGASTA, Chile — Many consumers in Chile unknowingly eat shark meat, often mislabeled as other fish, according to Carlos bustamante, a scientist studying the biodiversity of the Antofagasta...
- Of the 105 shark species identified along Chile's 6,435 kilometers of coastline,approximately 35% are vulnerable.
- Some of these sharks are openly sold in fish markets, contributing to their decline.
Chilean Sharks Face Extinction Threat, conservationist Warns
Table of Contents
- Chilean Sharks Face Extinction Threat, conservationist Warns
- Chilean Shark crisis: Your Questions Answered
- What’s Happening to Sharks in Chile?
- What Shark Species Are Most at Risk?
- what’s Causing Shark Populations to decline?
- How Serious Is the Global Shark Threat?
- What is the Impact of losing Sharks?
- What Are the Main Challenges in Shark Conservation?
- What is Being Done to Protect Sharks in Chile?
- How Can Negative Perceptions Be Addressed?
- Do Sharks Attack Humans Often?
- Do Sharks Exhibit Social Behavior?
ANTOFAGASTA, Chile — Many consumers in Chile unknowingly eat shark meat, often mislabeled as other fish, according to Carlos bustamante, a scientist studying the biodiversity of the Antofagasta region. Bustamante, 42, warns that several shark species native to Chilean waters are facing a severe threat.
Of the 105 shark species identified along Chile’s 6,435 kilometers of coastline,approximately 35% are vulnerable. Bustamante,regional director of the shark expert group for the international Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),estimates that about nine species could disappear within three decades without drastic conservation measures. Bustamante spoke at the Ciencia Puerto Ideas Antofagasta 2025, which began Thursday, April 24.
The endangered species include:
- Angelote (Squatina squatina)
- Tollo up (Mustelus chin)
- Common tollo (Mustelus whitheyi)
- Stained tollo (Triakis maculata)
- Tollo cazón (Galeorhinus galeus)
- Flying line (Zaraja chilensis)
- Spiny line (Dipturus trachyderma)
- Pilgrim shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
- Marrajo (Isurus oxyrinchus)
Some of these sharks are openly sold in fish markets, contributing to their decline.
Global Shark Threat
Sharks are among the most threatened animals globally due to demand for their fins, primarily in Asian markets, and accidental capture by the fishing industry. A 2024 study in science estimated that fishing mortality claimed 76 to 80 million sharks between 2012 and 2019, with about 25 million being threatened species. Despite 70% of countries banning finning, the numbers remain high.
If the threats to which they are exposed are not controlled in the next 30 years or do not make changes to be mitigated, we could have a collapse of their population that can lead to extinction.
Carlos Bustamante, IUCN
Bustamante warns that sharks struggle to recover from environmental changes, often caused by human activity.
Ecological Impact of Shark Loss
The decline of these apex predators can severely disrupt marine ecosystems. If a third of the shark population disappeared from Chilean waters, other fish could overpopulate. Bustamante likens sharks to lions on the African savanna, controlling the health of other animals.
He cites the decline of sardines and hake off the central coast as an example of an ”ecosystem effect in waterfall.” With fewer sharks to prey on juvenile fish that consume hake,hake populations are dwindling. Overfishing and illegal fishing also contribute to the problem.
Combating Negative Perceptions
bustamante believes sharks suffer from “bad advertising,” particularly from the film industry. He emphasizes that sharks are a natural part of the coastal surroundings and humans must learn to coexist with them.
According to the International Shark Attack File, maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History, shark attacks worldwide totaled 47 in 2024, down from an average of 70 over the past 10 years. Only four attacks where fatal. chile reported no attacks.
Conservation Efforts and Regulatory Gaps
Bustamante says sharks are frequently enough overlooked in research and conservation efforts. Chile has had a shark conservation plan since December 2006, focusing on fishing regulations and recommendations, which was last reviewed two years ago.
however, Bustamante notes that Chile lacks adequate regulations for sustainable shark fishing. “Laws adjusted to the reality of the country are needed,” he said.”We have four species of Tollo [small sharks] without any regulation.”
Research indicates sharks are more than just predators. A 2014 study by the University of Exeter and the Marine Biological Association, published in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, revealed that sharks exhibit social personality traits. Some form strong social bonds, while others are solitary.
Chilean Shark crisis: Your Questions Answered
This article explores the threats facing sharks in Chilean waters, providing insights from leading experts and examining conservation efforts. All facts is derived from the provided article.
What’s Happening to Sharks in Chile?
According to scientist Carlos Bustamante, several shark species native to Chile are facing a severe threat. Many consumers in Chile are unknowingly eating shark meat,often mislabeled as other fish.
What Shark Species Are Most at Risk?
Of the 105 shark species identified along Chile’s coastline, approximately 35% are vulnerable. Bustamante estimates that nine species could disappear within three decades without drastic conservation measures. These include:
- Angelote (Squatina squatina)
- Tollo up (Mustelus chin)
- Common tollo (Mustelus whitheyi)
- Stained tollo (Triakis maculata)
- Tollo cazón (Galeorhinus galeus)
- Flying line (Zaraja chilensis)
- Spiny line (Dipturus trachyderma)
- pilgrim shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
- Marrajo (Isurus oxyrinchus)
what’s Causing Shark Populations to decline?
Several key factors contribute to the decline of shark populations. Sharks are caught in the fishing industry,and they are also in demand for their fins,especially in Asian markets.Some of these sharks are openly sold in fish markets, contributing to their decline. Additionally, environmental changes driven by human activity impact their survival.
How Serious Is the Global Shark Threat?
Sharks are among the most threatened animals globally. A 2024 study estimated that fishing mortality claimed 76 to 80 million sharks between 2012 and 2019,with about 25 million being threatened species. Even though 70% of countries have banned finning, the numbers remain high.
What is the Impact of losing Sharks?
The decline of sharks, apex predators, can disrupt marine ecosystems. Bustamante likens sharks to lions on the African savanna,controlling the health of other animals. He cites the decline of sardines and hake off the central coast as an example of an “ecosystem effect in waterfall.”
What Are the Main Challenges in Shark Conservation?
Bustamante believes sharks suffer from “bad advertising,” particularly from the film industry. He notes a lack of adequate regulations for sustainable shark fishing, emphasizing that laws adjusted to the reality of the country are needed. Specifically,there are four species of Tollo [small sharks] without any regulation.
What is Being Done to Protect Sharks in Chile?
Chile has had a shark conservation plan since December 2006, focusing on fishing regulations and recommendations. This plan was last reviewed two years ago.
How Can Negative Perceptions Be Addressed?
Bustamante emphasizes that sharks are a natural part of the coastal surroundings, and humans must learn to coexist with them.
Do Sharks Attack Humans Often?
According to the International Shark Attack File, shark attacks worldwide totaled 47 in 2024. Only four attacks where fatal. Chile reported no attacks.
Research indicates that sharks are more than just predators. A 2014 study revealed that sharks exhibit social personality traits, with some forming strong social bonds while others are solitary.