Decline In Sharks

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The Effects of a Decline in Sharks to Ecosystems Predation has strong effects on the structure of communities and ecosystems. Many different types of predators have been studied, both terrestrial and oceanic. Although larger marine animals like sharks have barely been studied. Since sharks are some of the largest and wide-ranging predators in the ocean, their ecological role must be of importance. Recently shark populations have declined due to fishing. This has brought them the attention of ecologists and has given them a reason to be studied. Marine biologists are debating the effects sharks have on the ecosystems and other species. Meanwhile, they are also wondering whether sharks are the fundamental cause of these changes or will they …show more content…

Larger and less resilient species of sharks known as carcharhinids are often caught by industrial fisheries looking to fish tuna and swordfish. A large percentage of their population has declined over time and many of their species have either disappeared or have gone extinct. The loss of the carcharhinids have actually seemed to improve the population of more prolific species such as blue and mako sharks. This then causes the reorganization of elasmobranch communities and the rise of smaller sharks and …show more content…

The lack of verifiable or practical studies makes it difficult to form strong conclusions and reach hard facts. Prediction models of the decline of sharks demonstrate effects like: complex changes in communities, mesopredators domination and trophic cascades in the ecosystem, which not to mention affects some commercial fish and may cause declines in their species. Another noticeable impact is the fact that the decline in sharks affects not one but various different ecosystems. The decline of sharks should most definitely be studied and ways to reduce it should be considered. Although changes in population is one of the most noticeable traits, other aspects like the behavior and health of the fish in the ecosystem should be greatly considered. Even though we benefit commercially and pleasurably (as a sport) from fishing it is also a main source of food that needs to be respected and

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