Are sharks becoming extinct?

Cuba and the Bahamas join a growing list of nations trying protect the ultimate predator before it's too late

OK, yes, they look scary, but sharks are actually hunted by humans in great numbers and are in danger of becoming extinct.
(Image credit: Denis Scott/Corbis)

Sharks are the ultimate hunters, and thanks to Steven Spielberg's Jaws they come equipped with their own creepy theme song. But those chill-inducing fins that skim across the ocean's surface are coveted by fishermen, making the carnivorous fish heavily hunted game. In fact, the numbers of some shark species are falling so fast that many countries are joining the fight to protect these widely feared predators. Here, a brief guide:

Why would anyone want sharks?

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