Sharks are evil, scary creatures that need to be wiped off the face of the planet, right? Wrong. In fact, you're way more likely to be killed by a pop machine falling on you, than by being eaten by a shark. Since sharks are near the top of the ocean food-chain, they play an essential part in marine ecosystems. Check out what some peeps are doing to save these misunderstood fish.
Why Do Sharks Need to Be Saved?
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the marine environment. Their work with sharks focuses on trying to protect these giant fish from illegal "shark finning". Sharks are often caught and killed for their fins, which are used to make shark fin soup (a delicacy in many countries). Sharks are caught, killed and their fins are removed before their bodies are dumped back in the water. Because of these practices, many shark species are already extinct.
What Are the Sea Shepherds Doing?
Sea Shepherd crewmembers have followed shark poachers (peeps who fish for sharks illegally) and filmed their activities to educate people on the brutality of shark fishing. They also try to teach the public and world governments about the beauty of sharks and their importance to the marine environment.
What Can You Do to Help Save Sharks?
- Refuse to eat shark fin soup and don't eat in restaurants that serve shark fin soup.
- Spread the word to your peeps about illegal shark fishing.
- Convince the 'rents to make your next vacation shark-friendly. Consider going diving with the sharks as part of an "eco-tourism" package. The more money that goes into this kind of tourism, the more governments will realize that saving sharks is just plain smart.
Sharks - Did U Know?
- The great white shark can grow up to 19-21 feet (5.8 - 6.4 meters) long.
- There are more than 350 species of shark.
- Sharks shed their teeth. Some species can go through as many as 30,000 teeth in their lifetime.
