‘Extinction crisis’ of sharks and rays to have devastating effect on other species, study finds

As global heating risks the future of coral reefs around the world, the pressures facing shark populations will only get worse, say the authors of a new study. Photograph: Greg Asner/AP

Almost two-thirds of sharks and rays that live around the world’s coral reefs are threatened with extinction with potentially dire knock-on effects for ecosystems and coastal communities, according to new research.

Overfishing was the main cause of the declines over the past half a century, with larger sharks and rays being particularly hard hit.