Saving Species

Our work helps to protect shark species, or populations, threatened with extinction.

This can involve:

Advocating for international protection
Engaging with wildlife conservation and trade bodies
Monitoring implementation and promoting enforcement of conservation commitments
Supporting appropriate spatial management initiatives (marine protected areas)
Developing conservation plans and driving research to address data gaps
Developing and sharing codes of practice and educational materials

Over the years we’ve helped to secure protection for several species in the NE Atlantic. These include:

Basking Sharks
Porbeagle
White Skates
Common Skates
Angelsharks

We maintain a “watching brief” on these species. Monitoring implementation of legislation and fisheries practice and providing up to date codes of conduct for stakeholders. Such as our Basking Shark Code of Conduct and Fisheries Advisories.

The most recent IUCN Red List analysis shows that around 24% of shark and ray species are threatened. It also highlights the extreme vulnerability of flat sharks and rays. For this reason, we're working on collaborative Angelshark and Sawfish programmes.

CMS

CMS is an environmental treaty of the United Nations. It’s a framework convention with legally binding treaties and Memorandums of Understanding for species that cross national boundaries. Read more

CITES

By regulating trade in species that cross international borders, CITES can be a valuable tool in reducing over-exploitation and driving national management plans for sharks. Read more

Angel Sharks

We’ve been working to better protect angelsharks - one of the most threatened family of sharks - for over a decade. Read more

Sawfish: See A Saw

Over the past century populations of all 5 species of sawfish have drastically declined. Find out more about these enigmatic species and our work to support their conservation. Read more

Latest

Falkland Islands Project

Working collaboratively towards species specific reporting and sustainable fisheries management around the Falkland Islands.
News Digest - September

Our selection of top shark stories, highlighting all the latest news and discoveries from around the world...
Love Sharks 2021 Calendar

All sharks – bright and beautiful, great and small, weird and wonderful– we love them all. And this limited-edition Shark Trust calendar celebrates them in style.
For the Love of Sharks 2020

Join us for an evening of shark celebration and discovery. Due to COVID-19, and the changing rules and advice, we've decided to run this event virtually.

Most read

Canada Protects Endangered Mako Sharks with Groundbreaking Atlantic Ban

Canada announces groundbreaking move to protect Shortfin Mako in the Atlantic after a sustained campaign by the Shark League to follow the advice of ICCAT scientists.
For the Love of Sharks 2020

Join us for an evening of shark celebration and discovery. Due to COVID-19, and the changing rules and advice, we've decided to run this event virtually.
18 Shark & Ray Species Granted New Global Trade Controls at Wildlife Conference

Makos, Wedgefishes, and Giant Guitarfishes listed under CITES with support from more than 100 countries.
Male & Female Sharks

How do you tell the difference between a male and female shark? Click here to find out about physical and behavioural differences, as well as shark courtship...
ID Guide Introductory Pages
Great Eggcase Hunt

Find and record empty shark eggcases that have washed up on the beach. Eggcase hunting is great fun for all ages! Click here to find everything you need to get started.
Tonic Immobility

Tonic immobility is a reflex that causes a temporary state of inactivity in an animal. Similar to hypnosis. It occurs in a variety of different species, including many sharks and rays...
Shark Taxonomy

Taxonomy is a field of science that involves classifying and naming species. It's integral to wildlife conservation, providing the bedrock for our understanding of sharks.
Shark Anatomy

Sharks have a range of adaptations that make them perfectly suited to their environment. It's no wonder they've gained a reputation for being some of the most impressive and formidable predators on the planet!
Adopt a White Shark

Adopt a White Shark today and you'll be supporting vital White Shark research in the USA.