There are nearly 500 shark species existing today, with new species still being discovered. Each species has evolved with its own characteristics and plays a role in the ecosystem.

Deep-sea sharks, those living below 300 metres, have huge livers to adjust their buoyancy at these depths. They are caught by deep-sea trawlers, deepsea gillnetters and deep longliners, for their meat but especially for their livers, which contain an oily substance called squalene and is used by the cosmetic industry as an ingredient in creams.

Blue sharks, mako sharks, , hammerhead sharks and thresher shark are examples of migratory animals, they swim extremely long distances and can be found worldwide in the open ocean. Mako sharks are the fastest sharks and can reach speeds up to 50 km/h. Hammerheads, like all other sharks, can detect the electric pulses of prey below the sand and thresher sharks can stun their prey with a tail as long as it´s entire body.

These species are mainly caught for their fins.

Coastal sharks, like catsharks and dogsharks, are caught mainly by trawlers. In France, for example, they are used in large quantities for as school lunches, since it is one of the cheapest ways to provide meat to the children.