The importance of sharks

Many species of sharks are at endangered/ risk of extinction due to

Lack of knowledge worldwide (Shark Conservation)

Misinterpreted facts about sharks
Representation of sharks as man eating monsters

The U.S has some of the strongest shark management measures worldwide (Shark
Conservation)
Reasons why certain species of sharks are at risk of extinction and others are endangered

Increase demand for their jaws, fins, and even meat (Shark Conservation)
High value for fins for shark fin soup (Shark Conservation)
The idea that these dangerous creatures need to be taken from the sea in order for people
to enjoy the ocean
Grow slower compared to other marine fish (Shark Conservation)
Late sexual maturity (8-15 years old) (Shark Conservation)

Sharks play a critical role to the oceans ecosystem and health. As the top predators of the oceans,
if they disappear the food chain will no longer be balanced and the oceans will deteriorate very
quickly. Oceans make up 71% of the Earths surface (Shark Conservation), and if the oceans
begin to not function properly due to extinction of sharks, the rest of the planet will feel the
effects. Without sharks, reefs will collapse followed by thousands of other marine creatures
being vastly affected as their food and safety sources vanish (Dattaro).

When I first moved to Florida two years ago, I did not have a lot of knowledge regarding sharks.
Now I am a part of The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Cooperative Shark
Tagging Program (CSTP). Through fishing for sharks off the beach every week and tagging
them, and swimming with them, I have learned firsthand how gentle and docile these creatures
are.

For a long time, people thought that getting rid of sharks would help the oceans and make them
safer for everyone, but with recent focus and studies done on sharks, it is proven to have vastly
opposite effects. Although people will always react in a negative manner towards sharks when
someone is attacked by one, more education can help the public understand that these creatures
are not man eating monsters as the media has made them out to be throughout time. Neil
Hammerschlag, a marine scientist at University of Miami and director of the schools marine
conservation program stated, There would be nothing easier than preying upon 150-pound
monkeys swimming around in the ocean, doggy paddling. It would be the easiest thing a shark
could do and the fact that [attacks] are so relatively rare just shows how uninterested they
normally are. This further proves that sharks do not swim around looking for humans to attack.
Whenever someone steps foot into the ocean, at the least, there are small sharks all around them
(Dattaro).

Throughout history sharks and humans have interacted together throughout oceans around the
world, but it is not until recently that scientists and biologists have put emphasis and focus on
finding out more about these creatures. As the sport of shark fishing is increasing in popularity
across the state, and even coasts, and as demand for shark fins is on the rise, sharks have been
portrayed in the media much more. Organizations like OCEARCH , tag and track sharks, and
every few days these sharks ping and the public are able to see their recent traveled routes and
where they are headed towards next. The recent focus on learning more about sharks also is a
result of more available technology to do so. One OCEARCH expedition leader, Chris Fischer,
states, This is a 400 million-year-old secret. We are learning for the first time in history what
their pattern is, and we're open-sourcing it so the whole world can be a part of it (OCEARCH).
This quote further provides an explanation that what was always a creature that was relatively
unknown about throughout time is now a focus and becoming less of a phenomenon. As
organizations and people begin understanding migration patterns and educating the public that
these creatures are imperative to the oceans ecosystem and the portrayal that the movie Jaws
gave to sharks is not accurate, despite the fear that was instilled in the public in the mid 1970s
with the release of that movie.

OCEARCH

According to National Geographic, a study shows that 100 million sharks are killed a year.
In 2013, sharks killed 10 people worldwide, and even that number is high compared to
averages over previous years (Stone).
Media is an aspect that has had huge impact on the portrayal and the publics impact on sharks.
From movies like Jaws and Sharknado to shows like Shark Week, the media has portrayed
sharks as man eating monsters who are out for blood. Up until recent years, the technology,
information readily available, funding, and ideas were not present to prove otherwise. Whether it
is a national organization like OCEARCH, or just average citizens who enjoy the sport of shark
fishing, anyone is able to track sharks and provide various organizations with information
regarding the shark tagged, so that are able to further gather even more information. When a
shark attack occurs, it usually makes national news. Due to the coverage, people only hear of
bad side of sharks and are scared and reluctant to learn more about how they are not on the
hunt for humans. Its an unfortunate event when a shark does attack a human, but the general
public does not know the statistics and correct facts to assume that oceans are unsafe to swim in
because sharks will attack them. Millions of people swim every year in waters all around world,
and on average, less than a dozen are killed from sharks. The media does not mention numbers
like these or facts like, it is 15 times more likely for people to die from falling coconuts than
from sharks (Onion).

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The media has had an impact on continuing the negative portrayal of sharks over time, therefore
if the media is able to get their hands on the true facts and statistics and share those with the
public, that will help change peoples mindsets and hopefully bring awareness that sharks are
needed for the oceans, that killing more does not mean less shark attacks on humans, and the
disappearance of sharks means that future generations will wreak the havoc that has been created
due to the top predator of the oceans disappearance.

"Shark attacks are more a result of human patterns rather than shark patterns"
"Human populations influence shark attacks more than sharks do."
-George Burgess, director of the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History in
Gainesville, Fla (Onion)

In addition to the sciences, other fields of study are impacted by this topic. For example, political
science has an impact on this topic as politicians have a say in the laws that are implemented, or
lack thereof, regarding the harvesting laws for sharks. Stricter regulations and laws regarding
commercial fishing for sharks can help prevent a continuing decline in populations among
various species of sharks. Political science also plays a role in the public opinion and mind sets
regarding sharks. If a certain politician is speaking about how global warming is not happening,
and that the killing of sharks is needed in order to keep the waters safe, people may believe them
and promote that idea themselves. Soon, that politician may be able to influence enough of the
population that the public and media believe that that approach is correct and begin promoting it.
Furthermore, businesses and the economy are also impacted by the increasing popularity of shark
fishing, and would also be negatively impacted if the shark populations continue to decrease.
Floridas economy is heavily dependent on tourism and hospitality is a critical component of
Floridas economy. According to a 2012 study, Florida led the nation in total angler
expenditures, with almost five billion dollars spent, supporting more than 80,200 jobs (Fishing
in Florida). In addition, the 2013 Census Bureau report and the American Sportfishing
Association reported that over one million non-residents fished in Florida (Fishing in Florida).
These numbers prove the significance of fishing on the states economic well-being and with
these numbers growing from year to year, it is more critical than ever now to promote the
importance of sharks, and although shark hunting is increasing in popularity and recognition, it
is important to promote catch and release with this sport as well. Although many species, like

Sandbar sharks, it is illegal to land them, but one who is shark fishing cannot control what kind
of shark eats their bait, but there are laws in writing to help protect certain species.

As technology and education continue to be on the rise regarding understanding sharks, it is

more critical than ever with the rising numbers of tourists annually in the state of Florida, to
promote not only the importance of sharks, but the health of the oceans and Gulf. Without
sharks, the oceans will not function properly; the smaller fish will overpopulate and take over the
reefs, eventually killing them, which then begins a downward spiral of the ecosystem that
humans will indeed be impacted by. Action is beginning to be taken, but everyone can help save
the sharks and oceans by becoming more educated and aware of the importance of sharks.

Works Cited
Dattaro, Laura. "An Ocean Without Sharks Is Bad for Everyone - Weather.com." The Weather
Channel. N.p., 7 Mar. 2014. Web. 09 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.weather.com/news/science/ocean-without-sharks-bad-everyone20140307>.
"Fishing in Florida: A $5 Billion Dollar Business." Florida Trend. N.p., 27 Aug. 2013. Web. 10
Sept. 2014. <http://www.floridatrend.com/article/16082/florida-is-the-fishing-capital-ofthe-world>.

"OCEARCH." OCEARCH. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Sept. 2014. <http://www.ocearch.org/>.

Onion, Amanda. "Coconuts Called Deadlier Than Sharks." ABC News. ABC News Network, 21
May 2014. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=97993

"Shark Conservation, Science, and Management-The U.S. Leads the Way." :: NOAA Fisheries.
N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/stories/2013/08/08_2_13shark_science_research_poli
cy.html>.

Stone, Dan. "100 Million Sharks Killed Every Year, Study Shows On Eve of International
Conference on Shark Protection." News Watch. N.p., 1 Mar. 2013. Web. 07 Sept.
2014. http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/03/01/100-million-sharkskilled-every-year-study-shows-on-eve-of-international-conference-on-shark-protection/