World Shark Day

Sharks are seen as one of the most dangerous animals on Earth, yet that is far from true. The most dangerous animal is actually Homo sapiens sapiens, also known as humans. 

Today is Shark Awareness Day, a day dedicated to helping ease our minds about all the misconceptions there are about sharks, and to realise the unfortunate situations they are in.

Sharks have roamed our oceans for over 400 million years, playing a crucial role in marine ecosystems. Despite this, many shark species are now threatened with extinction due to human activities. 

Sharks are incredibly diverse, with over 500 species ranging from
the tiny dwarf lantern shark, which is only about 20cm long, to the enormous whale shark, which can reach lengths of up to 12 meters long. These apex predators have evolved and developed various adaptations that make them effective hunters, such as keen senses of smell and electroreception to detect prey.

As apex predators, sharks play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. They help maintain and keep the populations of other marine species balanced which helps maintain fish populations and protects the coral reefs. Without them, many of our marine habitats and ecosystems wouldn't exist.  

Sharks face numerous threats that are pushing them toward extinction. One of the main threats is the increase in demand for shark fins and meat. Sharks are also often caught as bycatch when they are unintentionally caught in large fishing nets. Unfortunately, sharks also have a long gestation period and as a result, the species is decreasing at a faster rate than they can reproduce.  

Many organizations and scientists are working tirelessly to protect sharks and their habitats. Governments are also being put under pressure to implement and enforce more Marine protected areas (MPAs) which would act as a safe haven where sharks, as well as many other species, can thrive without the threat of fishing. Over the years, there has been an increase in legislation and international agreements, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which helps to regulate and reduce the trade of shark products and protect endangered species. 

There are many ways that you at home can get involved and help protect sharks (without the need to get up close and personal). We should all be supporting and promoting the use of sustainable seafood which is sustainably sourced and sourced in a way that has little impact on the environment and other species. It is also very important to help spread awareness online, as well as to help put pressure on governments to get more involved in implementing laws and MPAs which can help protect our marine environments. 

This Shark Awareness Day, let's come together to celebrate and protect the ocean's guardians. Let's all take action and support conservation efforts, so we can ensure that sharks continue to thrive in our oceans. Together, we can all make a difference and secure a future for these incredible creatures.