New assessments by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released last December 10 show 316 chondrichthyan species – sharks, rays and skates, and chimaeras – are now threatened with extinction. The Red List updates include over 420 assessments of shark and ray species, of which 154 species are classified as “threatened,” or at risk of extinction in the wild. Among them are four hammerhead shark species (Sphyrna family) and four species of angel shark (Squatina family) that are endangered or critically endangered, making them some of the most threatened shark families, as well as the giant manta ray (Mobula birostris), which is now facing a very high risk of extinction.

More than 300 species of sharks and rays now threatened with extinction. (2020, December 16). Daily Guardian, pp. 2, 11.