The Question “Why are sharks important?” has been raised for years due to the enormous ignorance surrounding these deep sea hunters.
Nothing has been done to restore the shattered reputation of these gorgeous creatures. Movies like Jaws and deep blue sea have done little to repair the damaged reputation of these majestic creatures.
1. Why Are Sharks Important?
Sharks, often misunderstood as mindless killing machines are required for several reasons. Here are three main reasons that explain the answer to the question “Why are sharks important?”
1.1. Anti-heroes of the Sea
They are crucial to marine ecology and control prey populations. Sharks maintain the balance of food webs. As apex predators, Sharks eat the most numerous species, giving other species a chance to increase in number. Sharks promote biodiversity.
Sharks are a crucial component of healthy biodiversity and are necessary for the development of good ecosystems.
1.2. The Possible Existence of Cures
Sharks don’t fall ill as frequently as other marine animals do. Shark tissue seems to contain both antibacterial and anticoagulant effects. Researchers are examining it in the hopes of developing cures for various diseases.
Researchers developed an antibacterial surface coating known as Sharklet AF by drawing inspiration from the Special antimicrobial characteristics of shark skin.
This surface technology can prevent the spread of superbugs in hospitals and deter a variety of infectious microorganisms.
1.3. Role of Sharks in the Carbon Cycle
Carbon is an essential component of the life cycle and a factor in global warming. Scavengers in the sea aid in transferring carbon through the ocean by consuming the dead debris accumulating on the seafloor.
According to a study, huge marine creatures like whales and sharks store comparatively high amounts of carbon in their bodies.
When they naturally pass away, they settle on the ocean floor scavengers consume them. When people hunt them and take them out of the ocean, they disturb the carbon cycle in the ocean.
2. Sharks and Their Problems
Fisheries kill approximately 100 million sharks annually. Sharks unintentionally get ensnared in traps or on fishing equipment with long lines. More than 50 percent of reef sharks found along the coral reefs are under threat.
And some people have the instinct to cause damage to or kill the shark that approach due to unfounded fear stoked by movies like Jaws, as evidenced by the contentious shark slaughter in Australia. Since the advent of commercial fishing, more than 70% of shark populations have disappeared.
3. Shark Conservation
Concern over the state of many shark species and their exploitation in worldwide fisheries has progressively grown as a result of rising demand and extraction rates for some shark species and shark products.
While some shark species, like tiger sharks, are threatened, others, like great white sharks, white sharks, and great hammerhead sharks, are in danger. Additional threatened species include the whale shark.
Many fail to realize the importance of sharks to the marine ecosystem.
Because of recent overfishing, there has been a continuous decline in shark numbers. Many shark conservation projects have been set up in the near present to protect sharks, the apex predators of ocean life. 5 of the best shark conservation organizations include:
3.1. Shark Savers (Merged with WildAid)
Six deep sea divers with a passion for ending the killing of manta rays and sharks started Shark Savers. They want to inspire people and advocate against the consumption of sharks.
They aim to establish shark sanctuaries in various places. Divers may become shark activists and citizen scientists thanks to Shark Savers.
3.2. Shark Stewards
Shark Stewards is an international nonprofit organization to protect sharks and marine life. Through awareness, science, and policy reform, Shark Stewards aim to protect threatened sharks and rays against exploitation and the international shark fin trade.
By the implementation of bans on the sale of shark fins, management of fisheries, and support for marine protected areas, their efforts have helped rescue millions of sharks over the past 16 years.
3.3. Shark Angels
The Shark Angels organization harnesses the strength of a younger generation of environmentalists. They utilize contemporary technical means, instruction, media, and neighbourhood grassroots efforts to protect sharks.
For instance, The Fin Free program, with the slogan “Say No to Shark Fin Soup,” was one of their very effective approaches. Also, their “shark adoption” programs involve children and successfully provide sharks with a voice.
3.4. PADI AWARE
A publicly financed nonprofit organization, the PADI AWARE Foundation has three registered charities worldwide. Their goal is to mobilize community action for ocean protection on a worldwide scale.
With the cooperation of the diving community, PADI AWARE is in a privileged situation to advance critical conservation initiatives that will help stop the extinction of shark and ray species.
Via their Plan for Ocean Action, they recommend reducing population decreases by limiting unauthorized fishing, establishing efficient marine protected zones, and keeping an eye on the health of regional shark and ray populations.
3.5. The Shark-Friendly Marinas
The Shark Friendly Marinas Initiative seeks to lower shark deaths on a global scale. This group executes a clear plan successfully to accomplish this. They forbid the entry of any sharks at participating marinas by coordinating with local authorities.
By designating some marinas as “Shark Friendly,” they deter shark hunting for amusement ( by charter boat users). So, this endeavor could prevent the death of several thousand sharks annually.
4. FAQs
What Is the Probability of Being Bitten by a Shark?
Relative to other animal interactions, natural calamities, and ocean-side threats, the likelihood of getting attacked by a shark is extremely low (1:3.7 million).
Every year, far more people drown in the sea than have ever been bitten by sharks. The possibility of experiencing an attack by a shark is less likely than the possibility of being struck by lightning.
Are Sharks Dangerous?
Sharks do not prefer humans in their typical diet. Most sharks, including large sharks, are not harmful to humans. Despite having a terrible reputation, shark attacks on people are extremely seldom.
Instead, they prefer to prey on marine life and aquatic mammals. With more than 300+ species of sharks, only a handful have attacked people.
5. Bottom Line
Sharks are apex predators, scavengers, and filter feeders, among other functions in the ocean. Sharks keep the prey species in check and maintain balance in the marine line and the natural world.
We should protect sharks and rays right away to avoid extinction because they are essential to the economy of many nations and also contribute to food security, healthy ecosystems, and cultural heritage. There are several more reasons to justify and answer the question “Why are sharks important?”.
