Sharks are one of the most beautiful and ancient creatures on earth, having been virtually the same for hundreds of thousands of years. Unfortunately, many species of this majestic creature have been placed on the endangered species list. Species off the eastern coast of the United States have been estimated to have declined in number as much as 80%. Species in the Mediterranean have declined in number by 97%. These numbers are staggering and alarming because these creatures are at the top of the ocean food chain and their demise is significant.
So what is causing the disappearance of the world's sharks? To put it bluntly – overfishing. The issue of overfishing and the decline of shark populations worldwide have been studied repeatedly and have turned up the same results. Shark-finning is the primary method of taking a shark, or at least the part that people are most interested in. This is the practice of catching the shark and cutting off its fins. The shark fins are used to make shark fin soup, a delicacy in Asian countries. Once the fins are cut off the body of the shark is then discarded as it is not needed. The shark generally sinks to the bottom of the ocean where it bleeds to death. This is a serious problem where as many as than 73 million sharks are killed each year by shark-finning. Sadly, it doesn't stop at shark-finning. Sharks are fished for a number of other reasons, including the use of their oils in nutritional supplements and medications and for various skin care products.
There are a number of countries around the world that are working to protect sharks. Palau, a Pacific island, and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean have made their waters a shark sanctuary in which sharks have complete protection. The United States has its Shark Conservation Act of 2009, which aims to end the removal of shark fins at sea and to change the shark-finning laws. Sadly though, it is in the high seas where most of the damage is done. This is where the majority of shark species are caught and where the majority of the shark species are endangered or threatened. Fortunately, the United Nations is working on a set of scientific limits on shark-finning aimed at establishing a number that is allowable, a number that will enable the shark population to rebound. All fishing nations will be required to follow these new laws by adopting and operating by the new shark management plans.
Sharks represent a multi-billion dollar a year industry to countries around the world and the demand for sharks is growing rapidly. Sharks that are most at risk are the oceanic whitetips, scalloped hammerheads, smooth hammerheads, great hammerheads, sandbar sharks, porbeagle sharks, and the spiny dogfish. The problem is that along with the overfishing, sharks are slow to grow and late to mature and many are being taken before they are able to reproduce. This means that as long as they are overfished their population will have a great deal of trouble bouncing back.
The shark is one of the dominant predators of the oceans and this is an important role to play. A connection has been made between the decimation of shark populations and the decline in coral reefs in oceans all around the world. This is because they have such an important role to play in the reef ecosystem. While no one can say for certain what will happen if sharks disappear from the oceans, there are some predictions that coral reefs will give way to algae-dominated reefs and sea grass beds will decline in number. With the disappearance of these habitats there will be a correlating decline in the diversity and abundance of other marine animals.
It is unclear what the future holds for sharks. These majestic creatures have been on this earth since before the dinosaurs, yet in a mere few hundred years humans may just fish them out completely. It can only be hoped that the work being done to conserve the shark populations and to help them rebound, will include very strict enforcement of the regulations so that these truly beautiful creatures have a chance to survive for future generations to enjoy. However, it is conservation pitted against a mighty high profit. It is the lives of these creatures pitted against shark cartels, overlords, and smugglers. It is one of the world's most perfect animals against the desire for a luxury food item that is beginning to be asked for all over the world. All of this means that it is going to be an uphill battle to ensure that the various shark species are saved.