It is said that Sharks attack some 50-70 people each year worldwide on average, with perhaps 4-8 fatalities out of that. In fact, in the past sharks have killed,worldwide: in 2005: 4 people; 2006: 4 people; 2007: 1 person; 2008: 4 people. With these statistic, they are labeled the most feared and biggest predators of our Oceans. On the flip side, we kill somewhere between 20-100 million sharks every year. So are we really the victims here? or is is it safe to say Sharks aren’t the most fierce Predators of the Seas, but it’s us humans?
The 400 million year old species, evolved to be major predators for one simple reason…to balance the marine ecosystem. In its vital role in the ecology of the seas, other than acting as super-predators, sharks are crucial scavengers that prey upon dead or dying animals and removing the weakest, sick and dead so that the fittest survive. They also prey on a wide variety of other creatures that are high up in the food chain, thereby controlling populations and maintaining a balance. What people fail to understand is that we’re messing with the marine system by drastically reducing shark numbers which will affect our fishing industry too. As the sharks dwindle, the species they usually feed on like rays, skates, octopus and so on have increased ten fold affecting the other marine creatures they feed on. So the next time you’re at the market wondering why it’s getting harder and more expensive to find delicacies like scallops and lobster, it’s because we’re killing sharks.
Today, sharks are killed for a variety of reasons- food (their fins),their skin for high-quality leather; teeth and jaws for ornaments; liver oil for cosmetics, medicines, vitamin A, and skin-care products; and cartilage for false cancer ‘cures’. But another reason for killing sharks is as a sport and pure carelessness by fisheries that cast nets for other species. As many as 100,000 sharks die as a result of by-catch every year. Shark fining however is the the most cruel practice that kills millions of sharks a year. This destructive practice involves catching a shark, cutting off its fins and discarding the rest of the animal, which is often thrown back into the water rendered immobile to die.
How do we stop this atrocity? Spreading the word and educating others of their role, behavior, lifecycle and biology. We need to care about the plight of the oceans apex predator – enough to want to do something to help. Don’t buy any shark products or endorse eating shark fin soup at any cost. If there isn’t a market for these products the reason to kill then vanishes. You can even donate to the various organizations dedicated to saving sharks and ocean conservation societies.
Do your part today…Spread the Word about shark killings!
*Photo Credits: photos by MoelSiabod, rusty one on flickr
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makes me maaaaad