02/25/2022
Why do sharks matter? ⚠️🦈
There are countless reasons why we should care about sharks, and why they deserve our protection. Listed below are a few of the important benefits sharks offer to the planet
~Sharks keep food webs in check, which also benefits humans because it makes fishing possible! Food webs are built upon the interconnectivity of each plant and animal involved, and in turn, the biomass of an ecosystem depends on how balanced its food web is. When one link in the food web is threatened, it creates a domino effect so that other links of the web are weakened and the biomass of the ecosystem declines. This would inhibit our ability to use the ocean as a food source!
~Sharks store as much carbon as some large trees! When sharks die, are eaten by other animals, and decompose, that carbon remains in the ocean ecosystem, which fuels the natural carbon cycle. If humans remove sharks from their habitat, the carbon they have stored is released back into the atmosphere, which contributes to !
~Sharks are known to rarely get sick. Shark tissue contains anticoagulant and antibacterial properties, which are now being studied by scientists in hopes of finding treatments for a number of medical conditions, including viruses and cystic fibrosis. We must practice caution moving forward with this knowledge so that we don’t perpetuate an unsustainable industry harvesting sharks for medicinal purposes (see previous posts to learn about current issues with squalene from sharks).
However, research could show us how copying sharks in this way can positively impact global health!
~Sharks are ! Sharks boost local economies through , namely with , as public fascination in them has grown. Sharky activities support local businesses like boat rental & diving companies, providing thousands of jobs in many different countries. Studies have shown that even in Australia, where there is a notorious shark cull in effect, shark diving tourism contributes more than $17.7 million annually to the regional economy, helping to prove that sharks are worth much more alive than dead!
Incredible capture | post
Cage-free snorkeling/free-diving with shark in Hawaii with a 100% safety record.
