Shark Summer

Shark Conservation

Sharks play a critical role in keeping our marine ecosystems healthy. Find out why these ocean predators need our support.

Sharks arrived on this planet more than 400 million years ago. They have endured at least four global mass extinctions, when much of life on Earth perished. Modern sharks have evolved from families 150 to 25 million years ago. Their incredible designs have served them remarkably well. But now people have become the top predators, and shark populations are declining—some say by as much as 90 percent. Wasteful and destructive fishing practices have contributed to the dramatic decline of many species. Somewhere between 30-100 million sharks die each year due to fishing activity.

Sharks are slow-growing and late to mature, so their populations take longer to recover if their numbers are reduced. Most sharks are thought to have long life spans, with averages of 25 years and some species such as spiny dogfish living 70-100 years. Some do not reach sexual maturity until they are 12-20 years old. Their gestation period is usually nine months but can be as long as two years. If sharks are caught before their reproductive age, this can greatly affect the population.

The Power of (Mis)Perceptions

Each year we see news stories about shark attacks. Sharks are wild animals, and like other top predators such as lions and tigers, there are occasional attacks on humans. But contrary to popular belief, shark attacks are rare. In the U.S. on average, only one person a year dies from a shark attack, according to the International Shark Attack File.

Murderous, savage, vicious, maneater, killer, and brutal—all words used for generations to describe the shark. Our fears and prejudice run deep and cross cultural boundaries. This has resulted in everything from intentional killing of sharks to a lack of concern over how we are affecting their populations. But our actions matter.

Shark finning is a major cause of shark mortality. In 2005 fins could sell for $880 a pound often to make shark fin soup. Shark cartilage is used to make dietary supplements. Shark liver oil is often used in the cosmetics industry as a softening agent for creams and lipstick. Shark and ray skin has been used as an alternative to leather in the manufacture of boots, belts, handbags, and other items. Shark meat has become an important source of protein in many parts of the world as other species of food fish disappear.

Without sharks, some of their prey could rapidly increase in numbers, which could cause dramatic cascading effects on the ecosystem. Off the Southern California coast, the California sea lion population is thought to have swelled, resulting not only from protection from humans as a result of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but from a reduction of white sharks. In Australia, the spiny lobster was thought to be affected in some areas because of sharks being overfished. The numbers of small octopus were no longer kept down, and the octopi preyed on the lobsters, perhaps causing a collapse in the lobster industry.

Shark fins displayed on a pier.

Our Appetite for Sharks

In addition to shark fin soup, people consume sharks in many ways. Shark oil, often listed as squalene or squalane, is found in a number of personal care products, such as moisturizing lotions, lipsticks, lip glosses, and even some topical analgesics for hemorrhoids. But squalene can also be derived from other sources such as olive oil, rice bran, wheat germ, amaranth seeds, palm oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. Some companies have moved away from using shark oil. You can find out by asking at the cosmetic counter or pharmacy or by calling or emailing the manufacturer. And some companies even list the ingredients on the product itself or on their website. Wherever possible, find out whether the products you are purchasing contain shark oil and choose those products that do not use shark as an ingredient.

Shark cartilage supplements are also a popular product derived from sharks. People take these over-the-counter supplements for the alleged health benefits. Advocates claim shark cartilage helps to prevent cancer, reduce tumor size, slow the growth of cancer, and help reverse diseases such as osteoporosis. While medical studies have been done and more trials are ongoing, the claims have not been substantiated. As with shark cartilage, available scientific evidence does not support claims that shark liver oil supplements are effective against cancer in humans. Shark oil is marketed to boost the immune system, fight infections, heal wounds, treat cancer, and lessen the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy. Research has confirmed that shark liver oil is a rich source of alkylglycerols (also called AKGs), which are natural substances of the human body's immune system. Still, there is no scientific evidence that shark oil is a good treatment for weak immune systems and infections. Whenever possible, avoid taking supplements with shark cartilage or oil and look for alternative products with the desired results.

Another shark-derived product that is still in high demand is shark fin soup. A symbol of social status, shark fin soup is served to celebrate important events, especially weddings. The rising consumption of shark fin soup is driving many shark species towards extinction. In addition, the manner in which the shark fins are procured is often done in an inhumane manner (while the shark is still alive) and is considered a wasteful fishing practice. If you are invited to a wedding or some other function in which you suspect you will be served shark fin soup, let the host know you would rather not partake in this course of the meal. You might be able to do this by writing a short note to this effect on the RSVP card. If the host receives a number of these messages, perhaps the soup will not be served.

Eating sustainable seafood is also crucial. Many sharks die as bycatch on longlines, which are a mile to sixty-two miles of fishing lines cast out to sea with thousands of baited hooks. Longline fishing usually targets one animal, such as tuna or swordfish, but many other animals die when they are inadvertently caught on the hooks as well. Longlines are one of the most significant factors in the decline of oceanic sharks. Choosing products such as the canned tuna fish sold by American Tuna Inc, available in the Aquarium’s gift store, can help avoid such issues. This pole-caught tuna is harvested using a hook-and-line method that ensures other species are not unintentionally caught.

Each of us can make decisions that help or hurt sharks. This is not a world-away problem. More often than we realize, the issue is at our doorstep. Sharks are far more valuable to us alive than dead. Sharks can have an important economic value in eco-tourism too. There are many places where tourists support local economies by paying to see sharks in the wild. In addition, we can learn a lot from shark physiology. For example, the way sharks move through the water. Many of the larger species of sharks, such as mako and oceanic whitetip sharks, have adaptations such as streamlined bodies and long wing-like fins that make them extremely efficient swimmers. Engineers building submarines have copied some of these adaptations to make their designs more efficient.

While the ocean can be a source for many of our needs and has been seen as a potential source for many miracle drugs, there are many products that use shark when other alternatives exist. Since consumers generate the demand for a product, an educated consumer can make a significant impact by not choosing products that contain shark. Much like the change from the days when people used whale oil for everyday use, we now need to foster the same shift away from using the majestic and ecologically important shark.

New Attitudes

Like lions and tigers and other top land predators, sharks need to be viewed as majestic wild animals. They are important to our ocean and to us, and we need to do our part to conserve them. There are a number of laws designed to protect marine mammals as well as threatened or endangered species. Sharks also need protection. The Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (S.B. 850) is the type of legislation that could make a difference for sharks.

While the ocean can be a source for many of our needs and has been seen as a potential source for many miracle drugs, there are many products that use shark when other alternatives exist.

It is easy to lose sight of the importance, complexity, and intrigue of sharks. It is challenging for us to change this mindset, to understand, or even appreciate an animal we may fear. However, sharks require this change of heart. Their survival as well as our own depends upon it.