Photo provided
by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
|
|
Threats
- Over fishing - Sharks are susceptible to over fishing since
they cannot replace themselves rapidly. They are slow growers
and are able to reproduce only during a late stage of life. They
have few offspring and many only reproduce every two to three
years. The biology and behaviors that evolved over 400 million
years equipped them well for survival in the sea, until pollution
and over fishing upset the balance.
- Hunted for fins and flesh for food, liver oil used for medicines
and vitamins, hides for leather, skin for abrasive sheets and
surgical skin implants, teeth for jewelry, blood and cartilage
for health food supplements.
- Bycatching.
- Shark finning - Over the past two decades there has been
a greater demand for expensive delicacies where shark fins are
used. As a consequence, sharks throughout the Indo-Pacific region
are being caught in huge numbers for their fins. Unfortunately
the fishing practices often used are cruel to sharks, as they
are captured alive, their fins are removed then the sharks are
thrown back in the ocean. Sharks left with no fins in the water
cannot survive and eventually die. In most cases the rest of
the sharks are not used, rendering the practice of shark finning
wasteful.
Photo by J. E.
Maragos
|
|
Safety tips to reduce the risk of shark attack:
- Swim, surf or dive with other people and don't move too far
away from assistance.
- Stay out of the water at dawn, dusk and night when some species
of sharks move inshore to feed.
- Do not enter the water if you have open wounds or are bleeding
in any way. Sharks can detect blood and body fluids in very small
concentrations.
- Avoid murky waters, harbor entrances and areas near stream
mouths (especially after heavy rains), channels or steep dropoffs.
These types of waters are known to be frequented by sharks.
- Do not wear high-contrast clothing or shiny jewelry. Sharks
see contrast very well.
- Refrain from excessive splashing, keep pets which swim erratically
out of the water. Sharks are known to be attracted to such activity.
- Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present
and leave the water quickly and calmly if one is sighted.
- Do not provoke or harrass a shark, even a small one.
- Be alert to the activity of fish or turtles. If they start
to behave erratically, leave the water. A shark may be present.
- Remove speared fish from the water or tow them a safe distance
behind you. Do not swim near people fishing or spearfishing.
Stay away from dead animals in the water.
- Swim or surf at beaches patrolled by lifeguards and follow
their advice.
|