Current conservation regulations are ineffective to ensure the survival of the tope shark. Few conservation measures are present throughout the tope shark’s global range, despite growing international awareness of threats to the species (Galeorhinus galeus, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals). 

The listing of the tope shark as “endangered” under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and designation of critical habitat for the species within U.S. waters would significantly improve the species’ chances of survival by curtailing habitat destruction, reducing unsustainable harvest and other manmade factors, and by strengthening regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, this listing would increase global awareness of the species, assist research efforts, stimulate scientific funding, and provide financial, legal, and political assistance to local and international partnership conservation efforts concerning the tope shark.

It’s time to take a more aggressive approach to protecting this species and our oceans before its too late.