Current Conservation Status
Great white sharks are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. They are protected from commercial trade under CITES Appendix II, and several countries enforce fishing bans or strict catch limits to reduce mortality.
Population Trends and Threats
Scientists estimate global populations are low and fragmented, with some regional groups showing slow recovery while others remain at risk. Major threats include accidental bycatch in longline and gillnet fisheries, illegal finning, habitat degradation, and declining prey availability.
What Is Being Done to Protect Them
Governments and researchers use marine protected areas, satellite tagging, and fishery regulations to reduce catches and track movements. Public awareness campaigns and ecotourism programs also support conservation funding and encourage safer fishing practices.
Learn more about shark conservation efforts and global protections from the International Union for Conservation of Nature at IUCN Red List – Great White Shark.
