Sharks and rays are some of the ocean's most amazing animals. Present in our seas for 400 million years, they are vital and valuable but also vulnerable. Around a quarter of the 1000 or so species of sharks and rays are considered "threatened", largely due to the impact of unsustainable fisheries. The Shark Trust works tirelessly in the UK and around the World to ensure endangered species of sharks are suitably protected, while also pushing for science-based fisheries management for all species to ensure long term sustainability.