There are nine species of hammerhead sharks worldwide. The hammerhead shark uses its head to pin down stingrays and eats the ray when the ray is weak and in shock. We need you to answer this question! During Shark Week, take the time to learn about the world’s most endangered sharks … Sign up for our emails! The Endangered Species Act is one of the strongest conservation laws on the planet, and to date, no shark has ever been given ESA protections. The scalloped hammerhead shark will be added to the “globally endangered” species list this year. As the apex predator, sharks keep the marine food chain in balance. Millions of these sharks continue to be fished annually to supply the persistent demand for their fins and meat. Let’s work together to make a positive change to our world. Controls on fishing are woefully insufficient. Scalloped hammerhead sharks are listed under the EPBC Act, the piece of Australian law that governs how we protect endangered wildlife from threats. This shark is likely to be lost to extinction if the practice does not stop. HAMMERHEAD SHARK FACTS. Not only is the type of shark, the hammerhead endangered, the whole species of sharks is endangered. Lifespan: 20-30 years. We need to make a better effort to save these creatures. Yes. Scalloped Hammerheads Become First Shark Species on the U.S. The hammerhead shark uses its head to pin down stingrays and eats the ray when the ray is weak and in shock. The hammerhead with its strangely shaped head is somewhat of a mystery although scientists have … The hammerhead shark is listed as endangered because it is targeted by the Asian people for the shark fin trade. Scientific name: Sphyrnidae (Sphyrna mokarran – Great Hammerhead) Conservation Status: Endangered. How Humans Have Endangered These Aquatic Creatures. Like the other sharks, the great hammerhead shark is under threat from bycatch in commercial fisheries, as well as shark finning. Because of these threats, many of us are threatened or near threatened and some species, like the great hammerhead and scalloped hammerhead, are endangered. Two distinct population segments are now listed as threatened and two are listed as endangered … Endangered Species List. So why are sharks endangered? Mass: Up to 450 kg (1000 lbs) Length: 6.1 m (20ft) More About Hammerhead Sharks. As a result, the oceanic whitetip, porbeagle, and the smooth hammerhead are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, while scalloped and great hammerhead sharks are classified as endangered. The great hammerhead, tending to be larger and more aggressive than most hammerheads, occasionally engages in cannibalism, eating other hammerhead sharks, including its own young. Famous species such as the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) and the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) are Vulnerable although the size of the latter and the ferocity of the first are striking.The power of humans over species almost defenseless against them has won. Human interaction is the biggest reason, with overfishing, bycatch, and the destruction of their habitat being the three biggest. Yes, all species of shark are endangered because some country's fishermen catch them and cut off their fins for 'sharks fin soup' -what is worse is that the rest of the shark is discarded. Are Hammerhead Sharks Endangered? In recent weeks, however, the National Marine Fisheries Service has responded to a series of NGO petitions requesting ESA protections for two species of hammerhead sharks. If these species die out, our whole aquatic ecosystem will be placed in jeopardy. Without sharks other predatory fish and marine animals will thrive, which will deplete the amount of food fishes. Sharks are a crucial part of the ocean’s ecosystem. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Sharks are vital to the ecosystem of our oceans and so it is extremely important we learn about these endangered species of sharks and what is causing their deaths, so we can work together to find a solution. Scalloped Hammerheads Become First Shark Species on the U.S. Why Sharks Are Crucial To The Ocean’s Ecosystem. These are the 25 most threatened species of sharks in the world, classified as Endangered (EN) and Critically Endangered (CR): Hammerhead sharks are particularly vulnerable to being caught in gillnets (fishing nets) because of the unique shape of their head. Not only is the type of shark, the hammerhead endangered, the whole species of sharks is endangered. The great hammerhead, tending to be larger and more aggressive than most hammerheads, occasionally engages in cannibalism, eating other hammerhead sharks, including its own young. Why is a hammerhead shark endangered? Yes. Endangered Species List.