Essay On Shark Populations

Shark populations are undeniably in trouble and in a steady and rapid decline; in fact they are considered one of the most threatened marine animals in the world. Their populations are declining rapidly as a result of overfishing, bycatch, and habitat degradation. As of 2010, an estimated fifteen percent of shark species were listed as critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable, with as many as one-third of all pelagic, open oceans, sharks faced with extinction (IUCN 2010). Not only that, but the number should probably be higher: the conservation status of forty seven percent of shark species could not be determined because adequate data is not available (IUCN 2010). Sharks are collected and subsequently killed in the United States intentionally

It has been difficult, however, to generate interest and concern for animals that are surrounded by such detrimental negative media attention and negative stigmas and attitudes. Nonprofit, non-governmental (NGOs) advocacy organizations have made many efforts in recent years to educate and lobby governments against the shark fin trade, as well as raise awareness about sharks, show their ecological role, and why it is import to conserve and protect the sharks. The consequent role of these nonprofit, non-governmental organizations in encouraging future management and policy will be very important. However, it is not simply up to nonprofit, non-governmental organizations to do all the work. The media coverage of sharks must first improve, as well. When Jaws first hit screens nationally on June 20, 1975, widespread panic cascaded across the American population because of the portrayal of a giant, ruthless, man-eating monster. “Don’t go in the water,” the films motto or slogan, still rings true today, nearly 40 years