When there are man-shark encounters in the ocean, it is quite clear which is the losing side. Marine Policy reported that researchers have created the first global estimate of the short-minded slaughter of sharks.

Based on data from fisheries organizations and scientific literature, somewhere between 97 and 273 million sharks were killed or finned leading to fewer sharks in the oceans.

Experts acknowledge that their future is in jeopardy. Sharks have finally met their match after dominating the seas for over 400 million years.

At this month’s Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, proposals to protect sharks similar to international agreements that protect whales, or restrictions to the trade of their fins and meat will be considered.

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