Sharks Before Seals

Guest post by: Emily Whalen

There are two types of people in the world: those afraid of sharks and those who are not. I’ve never understood the unnecessary fear people have when it comes to the idea of sharks. Maybe it’s the unknown of getting into murky waters or maybe it’s the fact that they’re still dwelling on the 1970s thriller.

Did you know that a falling coconut is more likely to kill you than a shark? About 6,000 people die from tripping over their own feet at home each year; maybe they should be afraid of their own feet. 

I’ll admit, there are cuter animals and fish. Everyone loves a fluffy bunny or a goofy penguin. Even in La Jolla, CA tourists flock to Children’s Beach to see the Harbor Seals in their natural element. I often hear people discussing how adorable the baby harbor seals are next to their mothers. As an animal, being cute helps. People have a greater desire to save something they can imagine snuggling up next to.

With SeaWorld Rescue and rescue facilities along the California coastline, seals and sea lions are being rescued and rehabbed every day. Sharks on the other hand, are more challenging to rescue and they often die during rehabilitation. It is important to take steps in order to help the fragile ecosystem sharks dominate allowing a more hands-off method.   

The earth is suffering due to human impact. Sharks in particular are taking a massive hit and because there are not many people passionate about these toothy predators, they continue to suffer. I’ve always had an interest in marine mammals, fish, and anything under the sea. From working on the SeaWorld Rescue Team for 2 years, I’ve learned how important it is to advocate for species who are not able to advocate for themselves. 

Around 100 million sharks are killed due to commercial fishing every year. The practice of finning that fisherman participate in is a form of harsh torture which eventually leads to death. There is a huge market for shark fin soup in areas of Asia. Fisherman catch the sharks, cut off their fins, and throw them overboard to eventually drown. When sharks lose their fins, they are unable to swim, which leads to a lack of oxygen in their gills causing a slow, painful death. 

Another cause of sharks being threatened is habitat degradation. All animals and fish depend on a health ecosystem to survive. Climate change, pollution, and destruction of mangroves and reefs effect shark survival. Sharks breed and find prey in these areas. 

Still asking, why defend sharks? Maybe the idea of balancing an ecosystem is more enticing to you than helping the creatures that may haunt your dreams. With the lack of sharks comes the lack of balance of fish populations. Sharks are good indicators of ecosystem health. They go after the slower, sicker fish in order to keep the population healthy. 

Sharks need our help. Fortunately, the Shark Research & Conservation Program at University of Miami shares the same passion about these creatures as I do. This program advocates for sharks by educating the public starting with children. This team centers around behavioral ecology, conservation, and movement ecology. Since 2009, this program has brought over 8,000 people into the field to participate in shark research. 

My advice to those who are interested in helping these creatures is to learn as much as you possibly can. One of the first, most dramatic steps you can take is YouTube shark finning. I would bet that after seeing these fish being tortured you may change your mind about them. You can also reduce your seafood consumption. The fish we buy at the grocery store reduces the population of fish in the oceans. Another way to help is recycle and reduce trash. One of the biggest threats to sharks is trash. Sharks, among other fish, mistake trash for food leading to illness or death.

My last piece of advice: go diving with them. I’ve seen numerous sharks while scuba diving. The more time I spend at 80 feet below sea level, they more I choose to advocate for them. 

You can find out more about sharks and how to help by visiting UM Shark Research website and also following them on social media.