Sharks are globally overexploited, facing losses of tens of millions annually, mainly for fins, meat, and bycatch. Although popular media portrays them as threats, shark attacks on humans are extremely rare; in contrast, human activities devastate shark populations. As apex predators, sharks regulate marine ecosystems by controlling smaller species. When they decline, those species expand unchecked, causing trophic cascades, habitat degradation, and further biodiversity loss. Overfishing, driven by high demand for shark products (especially fins), coupled with sharks’ slow reproductive rates, makes population recovery difficult. Preserving sharks through stricter regulations, protected areas, sustainable fishing, and ecotourism is crucial to maintaining healthy, resilient oceans.