Tiger Shark Populations Face 'Near Threatened' Status Due to Fishing Pressure
Tiger sharks are currently listed as 'Near Threatened' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to significant fishing pressure that has led to population declines since the mid-1980s. These sharks are targeted for their fins, flesh, and liver oil, and many more are caught as bycatch. Despite their large litters, female tiger sharks only breed approximately every three years, and sharks generally recover from population losses much slower than bony fish. Records from shark control programs off Queensland, Australia, indicate steep drops in the number of tiger sharks caught. In contrast, New Zealand classifies tiger sharks as 'Migrant' and 'Secure Overseas.' Conservation efforts are slowly increasing, with U.S. national marine sanctuaries in Hawaii and the Florida Keys providing shelter for tiger sharks and their prey. Research in Shark Bay also highlights their ecological role in preventing overgrazing of seagrass by turtles and dugongs.
