Ready to take the plunge? Today we"re diving into the oceans to celebrate Shark Awareness Day. These misunderstood predators have been roaming the Seven Seas for millennia. The first sharks evolved some 439 million years ago—200 million years before the dinosaurs appeared. Today, there are over 500 species of shark, a third of which are now endangered. For many years, sharks suffered from a reputation as dangerous to humans. They"ve also been hunted for their skin, fins and meat. But this is starting to change. Many organisations around the world are working to change attitudes, helping people recognise the important role sharks play in ocean life and how they need to be protected.