In 2023, marine biologists estimated that there are roughly 1 billion sharks across the world’s oceans, representing over 500 distinct species. However, this number is a stark decline from historical levels. Research published between 2021 and 2023 highlighted that global shark and ray populations have crashed by more than 70% since the 1970s, primarily due to overfishing and the shark fin trade. While 1 billion sounds like a massive number, many species—such as the Oceanic Whitetip and Great Hammerhead—are now critically endangered. In 2026, conservation efforts in countries like the U.S. and Australia have led to a localized recovery of some coastal populations (like Great Whites and Tiger sharks), but the "big picture" remains grim. The ocean's health depends on these apex predators, and 2026 satellite tracking data shows that despite their resilience over 400 million years, they are currently facing their most significant extinction threat in human history.