Sharks vs. Humans; Who’s Really in Danger?

Sharks vs. Humans; Who’s Really in Danger?

In 1975, Universal Pictures produced the seventh highest grossing film in Canadian and American ranking; Jaws. Director Stephen Spielberg created a fictional tale about a man-eating Great White shark on a slaughtering spree. The daunting Jaws theme song lives on in the nightmares of all who watch. Following the release of the film, humans have lived in fear of what they believe to be an ocean dwelling terrorist. Unfortunately, the vilification of sharks in movies like Jaws has contributed to the demise of a vital keystone species.

In truth, sharks are nothing like the polyurethane Great White depicted in the movie Jaws. They are shy creatures who regulate the ocean Fauna and Flora by feeding on smaller mammals, fish, and plankton. Sharks are not man-eating by nature. Some will argue this truth, citing shark attacks on surfers and swimmers. Many believe that these attacks are malicious, when in truth, for “over 80% of people bitten, no flesh is removed” according to shark biologist Chris Lowe of California State University, Long Beach (Ward, 2016). Shark bites are the result of defense mechanism when a shark is provoked, or of curiosity. A shark that mistakes a human for a seal rarely breaks skin before recognizing that the human is not a food source, and swimming away to feed on fish. To put things into perspective, the average human has a 1 in 63 chance of dying from the flu, a 1 in 218 chance of dying from a fall, and a 1 in 3,700,000 chance of being killed by a shark (Human Shark Bait, 2013).

Sadly, this misunderstood species has fallen victim to human exploitation. Some cultures place value on shark fins, and harvest them as a status symbol. Fisherman cast long lines and nets into the oceans and lure sharks to the surface with bait. When the sharks are caught on hooks, they are unable to escape. After the sharks are brought on to the boats, the fisherman cut off their fins and throw them back into the ocean. The sharks cannot swim, and are left to sink to their death. The fins are taken to the shore, and sold for Shark Fin Soup, a “delicacy” in which the fins add no flavor or benefits. Shark Fin Soup is merely a status symbol. The fins are also used to create supplements, based on unsubstantiated ancient beliefs that sharks have cancer-fighting powers. The falsehood and corruption surrounding the finning industry has resulted in the demise of the shark population by 90%, and many people look the other way, because we were taught to believe that sharks are the enemy.

Ultimately, sharks are not the enemy; humans are. Sharks have inhabited the oceans for hundreds of millions of years, facing extinction only when humans intervened. By decimating the shark population in the ocean, we have disrupted the ocean ecosystem, which affects us more than we may realize. The ocean covers 2/3rds of earth’s surface. On its surface, microscopic marine algae called phytoplankton absorb sunlight for energy, and release oxygen as a byproduct, which we breathe in to survive. Fish feed on phytoplankton, and sharks feed on fish. Thus, as humans continue to destroy the shark population, fish populations outgrow the phytoplankton. We are forcing a system out of balance that we rely on to survive.

Efforts to end the perpetuation of shark stereotypes and combat the practice of shark finning have begun to gain footing. The Great Hammerhead Shark has been placed on the Endangered Species list; Whale Sharks and Great Whites are now listed as Vulnerable, and the Manta Ray is Near Threatened. Some governments are imposing bans on shark fin imports, and scientists are tracking and monitoring shark populations. Nonprofits such as World Wildlife Fund, WildAid, and Shark Savers, are leading awareness campaigns, and eco-conscious brands are donating profits to fund research and education. With the combined efforts of government agencies, researchers, nonprofits, businesses, and education, hopefully we can save this keystone species before it’s too late.

Photo: Shark Girl Conservationist Madison Stewart with a Great White. Check out an article about her work here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5037953/Shark-Girl-Madison-Stewart-swims-sharks-age-12.html

References

"Human Shark Bait." National Geographic - Videos, TV Shows & Photos - Canada. N.p., n.d.

Web. 04 July 2017.

Ward, L.K. "How Realistic Is the Shark Science in “The Shallows”?"

Smithsonian.com. Smithsonian Institution, 22 June 2016. Web. 04 July 2017.