Vulnerable species, VU - Fish species whose numbers have declined dramatically and reached critical levels. The species is threatened with extinction. The term is usually applied to the part of a stock made up of fish of the same size living in a particular area.

A conservation status given to species that are threatened with extinction. They require monitoring of their numbers and reproductive rate, as well as measures to conserve their habitat. Sometimes these species breed well in captivity, but retain the status of Vulnerable Species, VU, because there is a threat to the wild population of the species.

These species include Alopias superciliosus, Alopias vulpinus, Carcharodon carcharias, Lamna nasus, Odontaspis ferox and many others.