The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Vulnerable is a conservation status category that indicates a species is facing a high risk of endangerment in the wild. This classification is based on factors such as population decline, habitat loss, and threats from human activities such as overfishing and bycatch. Basking sharks are also protected by various conservation measures and regulations in many countries to promote their preservation.
