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Shark Survival is Vital for Humanity
Many shark species are on the brink of extinction due to humans brutally murdering the majestic creature. There are reports of shark attacks across the globe; however, there are answers as to why the attacks continue to occur. It is true that one bite of a shark can cause a great amount of damage, possibly death, but many do not realize the benefits of all shark species. What is the point of killing something just because we cannot control it? The manhunt of these animals is cruel, especially because sharks are a necessity to Earth's survival. Sharks must earn a better reputation by exploiting the effective hunting skills, the winnowing of the weak species, and earns the respect of humans, because of what the sharks offer in the medical field.
The cult classic, "Jaws", directed by Steven Spielberg in 1975 is credited with giving sharks such a terrible reputation. It has been forty-two years and the movie still has a ginormous impact on the livelihood of sharks in our oceans. Most remember the iconic scene where Jaws comes shooting out of the water and blindly attacks the boat. Movies such as "Sharknado", "Deep Blue Sea", and "The Shallows" gathered inspiration from "Jaws". A fossilized shark tooth from four-hundred billion years ago was found in what we now call Europe. The question is, if sharks have been around for four-hundred billion years, what was so important about 1975?
The author of the research paper has vetted multiple sources and used reputable sources. Among those sources are Discovery Channel and National Wildlife Federation. Each source provides vital information on why sharks are necessary and first-person accounts of shark survivors. While researching, the author includes sources from pro-shark activists and anti-shark members. Discovery Channel and National Wildlife Federation are widely known to be pro-shark activists and want the best for the beasts. The television series, Shark Week, is produced by Discovery Channel and is a week marathon about sharks, how they hunt, scientific discoveries, and more. There are sources based on shark's fine-tuned abilities, the nature of their hunting, and why sharks are so important to humanity.
First, let's consider what makes the shark so terrifying. Over the span for four-hundred billion years, sharks have evolved to be one of the most efficient and deadly hunters in the world. "From super speed to incredibly fast healing, the over 500 species of sharks truly deserve the fascination that we have for them." (N. Plaue par. 3) Shark sense are highly sensitive and can detect things humans only imagine. Sharks are equipped with the ability to smell a single drop of blood from up to half a mile away. Water flows through the shark's rostrum, also known as the snout, and over the olfactory senses. If a smell was detected in the left nostril, the shark will turn left; likewise, if a smell was detected in the right nostril, the shark would turn right. This process will continue until the shark has found its prey. Interestingly, sharks do not like humans. The usual diet consists of animals with large amounts of body fat. Humans are too bony and do not provide enough energy for a shark's constant moving. Sharks also can see up to one hundred feet away, however it is not always the clearest picture. Also, dying fish emit low frequency sounds, called the Yummy Hum, which sharks can detect from several kilometers away, but is too low for humans to detect. Most people do not know about a shark's expert ability to listen because they do not have usual ears like most animals. On each side of the shark's head is a tiny hole that is the entrance for their internal sound system. The internal sound system works by using fluid filled ducts to carry sound waves. Contrary to popular belief, a shark's hearing is stronger than their sense of smell. Most interestingly, is the ability to sense electromagnetics. Electroconception allows for the sharks to sense electrical impulses that every living thing has. When watching a shark documentary, it is noticeable that sharks are interested in the cameras because the camera has such a strong electrical signal. Scientists have discovered a way to use electrical signals to keep sharks away.
There are multiple shark deterring tools available to humans. One of the most interesting shark deterrents is called the Shark Shield. SharkShield emits short-wave electrical signals which affects the sharks' electroreception. There is currently an invention, called SharkBanz, which has been proven to allow for the harmony of sharks and humans. The bracelet has taken ten years to perfect with the assistance of scientists and marine biologists. The bracelet requires no battery and no charging. The SharkBanz is an affordable and easily useable piece of equipment that should be taken advantage of. Another useful fact when dealing with sharks is called Tonic Immobility. Tonic Immobility causes the animal to enter a natural state of paralysis. Unfortunately, there are also protective equipment in place that catch and kill sharks; as well as multiple other sea creatures. Nets have been placed off the coast of Australia and have caught and killed thousands of sharks. The nets have also caught and killed endangered sea turtles, dolphins, and nonviolent sharks. The use of shark deterrent is an extremely touchy subject. There are people who want devices such as shark shield in place, which would allow for Great White Sharks and humans to swim side by side peacefully, and people who want to watch every shark die by their hand. In one article, an anti-shark activist suggested for a helicopter to constantly fly up and down the coast and gun down every shark spotted. What if the gunman was to mistake a seal for a shark? It is extremely unsafe for someone to be flying in the air shooting down at the ocean. There is great room for error in that plan.
Scientists must understand how a shark hunts to engineer a successful deterrent. Sharks hunt using their fine-tuned skills. Electrical signals and sense of smell lead sharks to their meal. Sharks attack by surprise. The extreme muscle mass and unhinged jaws allow for a precise kill. Multiple rows of teeth tear through thick skin and layers of fat and hard bones. Whale carcasses, seals, and sea lions prove no challenge for the powerful jaws of a sharks. Great White Sharks off the coast of South Africa have adapted to stalk prey deep below the surface and shoot straight up to catch the prey by surprise. The pure force of the shark knocks the prey so hard they do not know what to do. It is as if getting hit by a semi-truck going seventy miles an hour. Some sharks have even adapted to risk the frigid cold of Antarctica to feed on polar bears and reindeer.
Now to dive into why sharks do not like humans and almost all attacks are by mistake. Humans are not a shark's usual prey. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that sharks do not normally hunt humans, but if they do attack, it is usually a case of mistaken identity. (P. Mislinski par. 4) Most prefer the meal of seals and sea lions, small toothed whales, sea turtles, and carcasses; the exception being whale sharks who feed by filtration. Mistaken identity is the culprit for shark attacks on humans. Most attacks occur from smaller shark species, such as spinner, black tip, and tiger, and occur in a hit-and-run type of action. Splashing and dangling limbs are similar actions to the natural fish prey. The curious shark will approach and bite quickly, as to not allow the prey time to escape. Once the shark realizes it is a human, they swim away.
Humans should be educated on how to avoid a shark attack. First, almost all sea life, sharks included, are attracted to anything shiny. Next, yellow has been dubbed "Yum-Yum Yellow" because yellow is easy for a shark to see. Most tropical fish that sharks feed on regularly has yellow. Most importantly, when looking out on the horizon, if you see fishing boats, do not enter the water. "If fisherman are catching fish or struggling with fish in the water, that's one of the prime attractors for a shark," he says. "So when you've hooked a fish before you've landed it on the boat, the whole time it's struggling in the water it's likely to be emitting fluids, leaking blood and acids ... all the signals that would attract a shark." (N. Thompson par. 8) As a predator, sharks respect other predators. Multiple sharks can swim in harmony due to the respect of size and power. A human can easily earn the respect of a shark. Sharks are not attracted to prey that will fight back. One of the most effective ways to rid of a shark is to punch it in the snout. The punch is effective because it asserts power and there are multiple nerves in a sharks' nose; it is very painful. Night swimming is also extremely dangerous. The reduced visibility in the water, paired with a shark's less than perfect vision could cause mistaken identity.
Humans are more likely to be killed by a coconut, your bedroom furniture, or lightening. On average, there are one hundred and fifty people killed each year by coconuts. Four hundred and fifty people die each year from falling out of their beds. Twenty-four thousand people die early due to being struck by lightning. "While the encounter left a surfer understandably rattled, there's no need to feel a similar panic about your upcoming beach vacation: the odds of being attacked by a shark are around one in 11.5 million." (N. Thompson par. 3) The most frightening beast in the ocean kills roughly one person every two years. Disturbingly, anywhere from sixty-three million to two-hundred and seventy-three million sharks are killing every single year.
The winnowing of weak species is a very important feature of Mother Nature. Sharks are the apex predator and have a very important task to perform. The apex predator's purpose is to keep the food chain in line. Many problems could arise if the animals in the middle of the food chain were to be uncontrolled. If the apex predator is extinct and the middle of the food chain goes unchecked, there will be a devastating decrease in the amount of bottom dwellers. The animals on the bottom of the food chain are what do not allow for the over growth of algae in our oceans. If there is an increase in algae production, the ocean will become too murky for any animal to survive. The surface of the ocean will be so dense with algae, sun will not be able to reach further into the ocean. The entire ocean's ecosystem relies on the sun. Plants in the ocean rely on sun light for photosynthesis and the production of energy for the plants. Also, many animals have been known to enjoy sun bathing such as, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, whales, sea lions, and seals. "While fear of sharks is well founded, the greater fear should be of shark extinctions, since no one really knows what could happen to ocean ecosystems without the managing presence of these elasmobranches. Since everything from total ocean system collapse to food shortages for humans, due to diminished fish catches, has been theorized, hopefully such fear can fuel conservation action before any of these unthinkable scenarios come to pass." (P. Mislinski par. 6)
The most important reason for sharks to continue thriving in our oceans is the advantages they allow for in the medical field. Optometry, heart disease, immunity, reduction of infection and disease, and fine-tuning of senses are a few of the things that sharks can assist with advances in. Optometric researchers may be able to use shark's corneas for human transplants one day. Next, shark blood contains anticlotting compounds that could unlock the future of curing heart disease. If scientists can discover how the anticlotting properties of shark blood could cure heart disease, many lives would be saved. There are more than two hundred million cases of heart disease in the United States. Squalamine is a chemical that is extracted from dogfish and can kill bacteria and remove tumor cells. Squalamine has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity which allows for the removal of bacteria microbes and the eradication of potential tumor cells. Scientists are beginning to search for ways that squalamine can cure certain cancers and save the lives of millions of men, women, and children. The improvement of our immunity can also be an effect of studying sharks. Sharks are equipped with an advanced immune system that can unlock the doors of human health and wellness. In addition, sharks play a very important role in unlocking the human brain.
In response to the necessity of sharks, many countries have begun to protect sharks. Countries such as, Bahamas, Congo, Egypt, and Fiji has participated in the protection. Also important is the banning of sale of shark fin. Multiple States within the United States, Guam, Fiji, and Egypt do not allow selling shark fin. Shark fin is primarily used in a Chinese soup or broth with the addition of chicken stock. The fin has relatively little flavor, but is only added for texture to the dish. A majestic and beautiful animal is being reduced to a texture in soup. Due to the level of mercury in sharks, the soup is very harmful to humans. Sharks take seven to ten years to reach maturity and produce offspring, therefore it is virtually impossible for the population to recover. The entire ecosystem is nowhere near as important as a soup.
Sharks have been around since the dinosaur age and have been a prime example of evolution. "After 400 million years of shark evolution, we could potentially wipe out the world's sharks in a century's time".( P. Mislinski par. 1) Sharks do not have a voice, so we need to be their voice! More countries to participate in the banning of killing sharks and banning the trade, sale, and possession of shark fin. Killing something because it cannot be controlled is ignorant and an abuse of power. We should not fear the shark, but respect the majestic creature.
Works Cited
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"How do sharks see, smell and hear?" Shark Senses: Hearing - Shark Senses: Hearing | HowStuffWorks, How Stuff Works
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LASMODIVER. "SHARK SENSES." SHARK SENSES - Smell, Taste, Touch, Sight, Hearing and Electroreception.,
Meyer, Amelia. "Shark Info." Stories of Shark Attack Survivors.
"Shark-swarming Season." National Wildlife Federation.
Plaue, Noah. "Sharks Have Some Of The Coolest Superpowers In The Animal Kingdom." Business Insider
"Shark Senses: Hardwired to Hunt." Shark Senses / Sharkopedia.
Thomson, Nick. "How To Survive a Shark Attack". CNN.