If you were face-to-face with a shark, what would your reaction be? Do not worry about getting away as fast as possible. Probably the shark will flee from you first.

While it is a truth that some shark species are animals that present a sort of danger to people, it is also true that humans have endangered the preservation of many shark species, despite all the physical and physiological adaptations they have achieved through evolution to survive in their natural environment.

The picture of the status of sharks is not encouraging. There are about 12 species considered dangerous for humans, but about 20 are in danger of extinction. How do you explain this? Their indiscriminate and incidental hunting and the destruction of their habitat are the main factors that caused this situation which, joined with the wrong information that most people know about them, endanger their survival which has exceeded hundred of millions of years.

SAD STANDARDS OF DANGER

In fact, estimations state that about 100 species out of 470 that exist in the world, are in a status of imminent danger to severe. The organization responsible for classifying animal status, including sharks, is the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. From its perspective, all threatened species are under continuous evaluation, and a diagnostic is provided that is an indicator of dangers, causes, and consequences.

The organization has nine categories to classify the status of animals: Not Evaluated, Insufficient Data, Minor Concern, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild and Extinct. A shark species is considered threatened if the IUCN Red List includes it starting in the Vulnerable status as this category being “less risky” among all the critical levels.

The Near-Threatened category, although it is not an indication of an endangered species, sets a precedent and indicates a potentially endangered species in the future. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild, Endangered species face a very high danger of extinction in their natural habitat and species classified in the Critically Endangered status face an extremely high risk of extinction.

THREATENED SHARKS

Predators, but also prey. According to IUCN analysts, among the approximately 470 species of sharks, 2.4 percent are Critically Endangered, 3.2 percent are Endangered, 10.3 percent are Vulnerable, and 14.4 percent are Near Threatened.

Famous species such as the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) and the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) are Vulnerable although the size of the latter and the ferocity of the first are striking. The power of humans over species almost defenseless against them has won.

These are the 25 most threatened species of sharks in the world, classified as Endangered (EN) and Critically Endangered (CR):

Carcharhinus hemiodon. Pondicherry shark. (CR).
Centrophorus harrissoni. Dumb gulper Shark. (CR).
Glyphis gangeticus. Ganges shark. (CR).
Glyphis garricki. Northern river shark. (CR).
Glyphis siamensis. Irrawaddy river shark. (CR).
Haploblepharus kistnasamyi. Natal shyshark. (CR).
Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus. Daggernose shark. (CR).
Mustelus fasciatus. Striped smooth-hound. (CR).
Squatina aculeata. Sawback angelshark. (CR).
Squatina oculata. Smoothback angelshark. (CR).
Squatina squatina. Angelshark. (CR).
Carcharhinus borneensis. Borneo shark. (EN).
Glyphis glyphis. Bizant river shark. (EN).
Hemitriakis leucoperiptera. Whitefin topeshark. (EN).
Holohalaelurus favus. Honeycomb Izak. (EN).
Holohalaelurus punctatus. White-spotted Izak. (EN).
Lamiopsis temminckii. Broadfin shark. (EN).
Mustelus scmitti. Narrownose smooth-hound. (EN).
Sphyrna lewini. Scalloped hammerhead. (EN).
Sphyrna mokarran. Great hammerhead. (EN).
Squatina argentina. Argentine angelshark. (EN).
Squatina Formosa. Taiwan angelshark (EN).
Squatina Guggenheim. Angular angel shark. (EN).
Squatina punctata. Squatina punctata. (EN).
Triakis makulata. Spotted houndshark. (EN).

FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

In the last decades some species populations have decreased up to 90 percent, and some others, up to 70 percent due to anthropogenic causes that kill them directly and indirectly. Disinformation and slow reproduction do not help them to improve the recovery rate of these animals.

Today, sharks face an uncertain future full of risks in a world troubled by environmental problems. If the rate of extinctions increases considerably, in a few years, the seas may be without sharks bringing an enormous amount of environmental consequences with this. Action needs to be taken; there is still time!

Sources:

http://www.iucnredlist.org/

http://sharkopedia.discovery.com/shark-topics/shark-conservation/

http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/shark

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_threatened_sharks

BioExpedition Publishing © 2017.

Sharks are marine predators, and they consume species that are part of their natural habitat and act on instinct, as the vast majority of living beings on this planet.

Their widespread ocean distribution and their physical characteristics are two of the reasons why people view them as a cruel and ruthless species, but their reality is completely different.

Sharks attack and kill on average ten humans per year. On the contrary, humans kill up to 30 million sharks annually (according to the Museum of the Natural History Department of Ichthyology Florida) and often just to take their fins and return them to the water alive severely injured.

WHAT IS THE ECOLOGICAL ROLE OF SHARKS?

Sharks help to “clean up” our oceans because many shark species consume carrion and dead plants, so they reduce the marine debris. They also regulate the population size of the species they consume, since otherwise such abundance of organisms could become a risk to marine wildlife and the whole biome would be affected.

The filter-feeding sharks feed on large amounts of zooplankton and eliminate harmful algal blooms, which also contributes significantly to “cleaning” the sea.

These cartilaginous fish have inspired the creation of objects for humans. For example, suits for swimmers who seek to create less friction with the water to achieve a higher speed. They have also been taken as examples to enhance structures of ships and aircraft, to improve stability in the maritime and air routes.

The research on sharks has provided valuable scientific documents that delve into the study of primitive fish and other marine vertebrates, from which conclusions have arisen about the origin of the aquatic life. Similarly, we have identified genetic qualities in sharks that can help to improve human health.

Here are some examples of the valuable importance of sharks in biodiversity and human life. If the top predator of the seas gets extinct, the populations of some species that are part of their food will increase without control. Every living thing has a purpose in their habitat, which is why sharks should also be part of our attention and defending them from the cruel slaughtering they suffer is our responsibility.

Sources:

http://www.sharksavers.org/en/education/the-value-of-sharks/sharks-role-in-the-ocean/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26975420

http://www.nationalgeographic.org/activity/the-importance-of-sharks-you-do-the-math-/

https://www.cerc.usgs.gov/Projects.aspx?ProjectId=123

BioExpedition Publishing © 2017.

The effects of the global warming affect the air, the land and the water of the planet. Its effects do not discriminate areas nor animal species, even if they are large sharks.

WHY GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTS SHARKS?

Global warming is a controversial phenomenon. Many scientists argue that the devastating effects it will cause in the future are already affecting the planet, but others do not entirely agree. However, regardless the cause, the increase in temperature over the last few years has negatively affected the habitat of sharks and endangers their lives.

The relationship between global warming and sharks is indirect but real. The rise in sea level occurs when the water heats up above 4 ° centigrade and as the temperature of the air increases, that of the water also, which causes the water to expand and increase its volume.

This may not seem too dangerous to sharks, right? But what happens when the ice caps and glaciers melt? Well, large amounts of fresh water mix with the salt water of the oceans. This change in the salinity can cause an imbalance in the delicate physiology of fish, as few can tolerate fresh water.

The seas and oceans absorb much of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Consequence: acidification of water that changes its normal PH level and prevents the formation and growth of many marine organisms, such as corals.

The food chain is also affected by the reason stated above. Plankton is consumed by many marine species and is the basis of the food chain, therefore if global warming affects its habitat and development because of the acidification, it results in a reduction of its population, the animals that consume it and those that consume the latter. That is the food chain is disrupted and reduces the food availability for sharks.

A FUTURISTIC CONNECTION?

The theory that global warming has a negative effect on the behavior of the sharks is also under consideration. Since some shark species live in cold waters, the water warming forces them to migrate to areas that are less hot and that may not be their natural habitat. Also, if their natural prey moves to cooler sites, they tend to follow them.

In 2001, there was an increase in the number of shark attacks on US beaches. In 2011 there was also an apparent increase in attacks to people on various beaches around the world, and some people were quick to relate recent heat waves to such attacks.

A year later several media reported that in Australian they had discovered the first hybrid sharks. Yes, hybrids. Australian blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus tilstoni) mated with blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) to adapt to the conditions of an ocean affected by climate change. All were assumptions so far.

Perhaps the direct cause for the attacks of sharks is not global warming, and there is not enough research to support the statements on shark-global warming connections. But one thing is sure: rising ocean temperatures with their consequent increase in water levels and acidification, changing migration and feeding patterns, changing mating and breeding areas, and affecting the food chain; All these aspects pose a risk to the survival of sharks.

In conclusion, global warming has made it difficult for sharks to continue surviving. As the temperatures of the water increase, the sharks may move to new locations which can be areas of human activities like fishing, boating or swimming.

Sharks have to travel to find food. Due to global warming, many of their food sources may be in short supply. As a result, they have to travel further and further to find prey.

Sources:

time.com/4375657/shark-attacks-climate-change/

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/39338/0

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/sharks/sustainable_use/index.cfm

http://sharkopedia.discovery.com/shark-topics/shark-conservation/

BioExpedition Publishing © 2017.

THE NEED TO PRESERVE SHARKS

Knowing, supporting and planning shark conservation strategies is an important issue for both the aquatic ecosystem and the life of humans. Yes, the preservation of sharks is of significant interest for us and the planet environment.

As you know, the food chain needs all its links to be complete. In the absence of one, the chain fragments and initiates many disturbances in the ocean. Sharks are at the top of the food chain, so if their prey is scarce due to contamination, overfishing or any other cause, they are more likely to die and engage in an aggressive or abnormal behavior.
But in addition to the above, sharks are useful and precious for human life. Many of them clean the ocean by consuming the remains of dead animals and plankton, so the harmful algae pests and those that cause red tides are controlled.

Knowing the anatomy of sharks provides useful information on the physiology of fish and the origin and evolution of marine animals and even humans given the millions of years that they have been on Earth. Their anatomical characteristics inspire and give ideas to scientists and engineers to design machines, tools, and transport devices.

The latest research opens the range of possibilities applied to human health. Knowledge about the properties of their blood that has anticoagulants could be useful in the treatment of heart diseases. Their immune system and their highly developed senses generate interest and optimism in the scientific and medical communities, which plan to apply some of the ideas from that to Humans, through devices or inventions.

We owe a lot to sharks. It is clear that protecting and preserving them are necessary.

ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF SHARKS.

The good news is that many countries, governmental and non-governmental organizations are making efforts to protect and conserve shark species. In 1991 South Africa became the first country to protect legally white sharks, perhaps the most affected species. That same year, the UN (United Nations Organization) banned gillnet fishing on the open seas, which slightly recoverd salmon shark (Lamna ditropis) populations. Then, in the year 2000, the United States passed a Law prohibiting shark finning.

One of the international organizations most involved in the conservation of sharks is the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) which, through its Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, manage the International Plan for the Conservation and Control of Sharks, which regulates, assesses and guarantees the sustainability of shark fishing.

Another organization very committed to the cause is the WWF (Global Fund for Nature), which seeks the preservation of the environment in general. Concerned about the overfishing of sharks, it developed an initiative called Smart Fishing, whose intention is to improve the management of protected areas where sharks dwell and to develop ecotourism projects in the natural habitat of sharks. It also directs and supports the WWF Hong Kong Shark Fin Initiative and Smart Fishing Network Initiative-Asian Seafood Guides.

On the other hand, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna, and Flora) has added some species of sharks to the group of protected species.

The Species Survival Commission of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature), in a report, stated that to address the problem of endangered sharks, it is necessary to:
(a) End once and for all the infamous finning practice.
(b) Follow the species fishing limitations.
(c) Improve the monitoring of fish stores and markets.
(d) Reduce bycatch.
(e) Invest in research and evaluations.
(f) Cooperation among countries to achieve the objectives.

Some conservation groups are smaller and less known, but their work is still relevant. In fact, some members of such groups go to the ocean and make the job of freeing trapped sharks in nets and target for illegal fishing. They also fight the sale of shark fin soup and try to unmask a business that profits from it by declaring that the miraculous properties in the soup are untested.

ACTIONS THAT EVERYONE CAN TAKE.

These organizations should not be the only ones concerned about the protection and conservation of sharks. Simple strategies taken from all of us can reduce the mass killing of sharks:

– If fish consumption is frequent, it is important to be sure that the establishment and its suppliers have legal or governmental certification that confirms a sustainable activity.

– If recreational and sports fishing persists in a region, it is tough to eradicate it, so it is more feasible to support and promote the capture and release of sharks to the sea. It is important to inform and familiarize others about the risks to sharks.

– It is elementary not to support the consumption of shark fin soup or products made with shark cartilage. They are often said to contain valuable nutrients and almost miraculous properties, which is not confirmed.

– In the case of illegal activities or that threaten the life of sharks and endanger the survival of small populations of them, you should not wait to denounce it to the proper authorities.

Sources:

http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/shark

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/39338/0

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/sharks/sustainable_use/index.cfm

http://sharkopedia.discovery.com/shark-topics/shark-conservation/

BioExpedition Publishing © 2017.

For thousands of years, sharks have been considered to be highly protein food, with great commercial and even recreational value. Shark fishing is a very popular activity around the world, for various purposes. Unfortunately, the practice endangers the survival of species when it is not done sustainably.

Each year, humans kill around 100 million sharks in commercial and recreational activities, including the infamous “shark finning.” In the past, people believed that they were not animals that need to be considered for protection and conservation since they were not appreciated compared to other animals and they were not economically important. However, this conception has been changing given the reduction of populations and the increasing demand for products made with their bodies.

REASONS FOR SHARK FISHING

Commercial hunting.
Several parts of shark bodies have high demand in the market, since they are highly priced, and sometimes they even reach exorbitant prices. Therefore fishers are interested in catching them.

As food.
Shark meat has been food for humans for many years. It is common in the diet of many people, but it is possible that some do not know that the fish they eat is a shark.

In Europe, North America, and South America you can get shark meat in some supermarkets as if it were fruit. This trend started because people began considering fish an alternative to pork, beef or chicken. In Australia, it is common to eat shark steaks and in many parts of Asia, eating shark is like eating chicken in America. Often their meat is considered a real delicacy.

Getting their fins.
“Shark finning” is a common but infamous practice for killing sharks. It consists of cutting only the fins of sharks on the open ocean and throwing the rest of the body with the possibility that the sharks die bled or attacked by other marine animals.

In Asia, there is a high demand for shark fins because they prepare a wrongly called “miracle” and very costly soup, which is common at banquets. The situation is severe, because although there are laws that prohibit the practice, millions of sharks are killed every year. And just for preparing a plate soup, that does not ensure its effectiveness.

Getting their skin and their oil.
Shark skin is a material used to make articles and clothing. The impact of fishing for this has not been assessed but could be a danger too. On the other hand, the oil from the liver of the animal, called squalene, has been used as a lubricant and as a raw material for cosmetics and medicines. The negative fact: 3,000 sharks are needed to produce 1 ton of squalane.

Obtaining their cartilage.
Products made with shark cartilage are getting popular as medicines or treatments in the form of capsules or powder, useful for treating various diseases in joints. Again, there is no scientific evidence for such affirmation.

Bycatch.
Sometimes fishermen do not intend to catch sharks, but they do not take proper actions to avoid catching them as they may get trapped in trawl nets or longline hooks. This practice is one of the main threats to sharks and represents a significant percentage of the number of dead animals.

Recreational fishing.
This activity has no useful purpose, more than entertainment. It is labeled as a sports fishing or fishing tournaments. In the United States alone, in 2011, about 2.7 million sharks were hunted under recreational activities.

Shark catch.

CONSEQUENCES OF SHARK FISHING

Excessive fishing results in a significant problem to an endangered species. The high demand for the products made with the parts of shark bodies increases the frequency of catching them and when the amount of sharks gotten are few, the price increases. It becomes a kind of vicious circle that affects the environment of sharks but also that of human beings because sharks play a significant role in the food chain and their existence provides many advantages to the environment.

Fishing has been common practice for many years, but the problem is overfishing and unsustainable. However, the situation has ignited the alarm bells of environmentalists, organizations and animal advocates, who strive to improve the living conditions of sharks.

In many countries, it is legal to kill sharks, and in some others, the practice continues even though it is against the law. The thrill of hunting large sharks is one that many people seek.

Sources:

http://www.iucnredlist.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark_finning

https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-news/shark-finning-sharks-turned-prey

www.stopsharkfinning.net/

BioExpedition Publishing © 2017.