Shark finning has killed so many species of sharks. Many shark species have been run to extinction due to the cruel act of shark finning. Sharks have a very slow maturation rate; a shark must be at least 15 years of age to reproduce. Furthermore, they are not like fish, who reproduce quickly and in large quantities. Sharks are like mammals, reproducing slowly, not every year, and with 1-2 pups at a time. Sharks are not able to replenish their numbers at the rapid rates we are killing them at. If we continue to mutilate sharks at these numbers, we will run all shark species and populations to extinction.
Below is a graph of the different shark species and how they have been affected since the 1970's.
Below is a graph of the different shark species and how they have been affected since the 1970's.
Effect on the Marine Ecosystem
As the apex predators of the oceans, sharks play a pivotal role in maintaining balance within the marine ecosystem. They have played this critical role for over 450 million years by keeping populations of other marine life healthy and in proper proportion and by regulating and keeping a balance in the oceans.
Sharks keep prey populations and other vital habitats healthy
By being on top of the food chain, sharks prey on the weak and sick members of their prey populations which result in the prevention of the spread of diseases. The removal of the weak members result into strengthening the gene pool of their prey species and thus left with the strongest and healthiest fish to reproduce a larger and healthier outcome of fish. In addition, sharks regulate the behavior of prey species through intimidation, prevent them from overgrazing vital habits. From a recent study in Hawaii, scientists found that tiger sharks prevent turtles from overgrazing on one region of sea grass and destroying these habitats.
What happens if we remove sharks from the oceans?
Sharks keep prey populations and other vital habitats healthy
By being on top of the food chain, sharks prey on the weak and sick members of their prey populations which result in the prevention of the spread of diseases. The removal of the weak members result into strengthening the gene pool of their prey species and thus left with the strongest and healthiest fish to reproduce a larger and healthier outcome of fish. In addition, sharks regulate the behavior of prey species through intimidation, prevent them from overgrazing vital habits. From a recent study in Hawaii, scientists found that tiger sharks prevent turtles from overgrazing on one region of sea grass and destroying these habitats.
What happens if we remove sharks from the oceans?
- Prey species might become too populous and thus eliminating smaller prey
- Loss of commercially important fish and shellfish species like tuna, scallops and shellfish
- Scallop fisheries will be wiped out and water quality will be affected as scallop will no longer be there to perform their function of filtering and cleaning the water
- The whole ecosystem structure will collapse
- The health of coral reefs will be affected negatively
We have to be aware that the depletion of sharks will not only cause imbalance in the marine ecosystem, but will also affect all ecosystems as well: from the decrease in our food supply to pollution.