Do you care about sharks? It’s a simple question, yet many people cringe in fear and say why should they care about sharks; they’re evil, dangerous and they don’t matter. But the truth is sharks are more important for the environment than you may realise.

It’s a known fact that you are more likely to be killed by a lightning strike than a shark attack. There’s also a greater likelihood that you could die from a coconut falling on your head or even be in a car crash. And shockingly, more people are killed by toasters each year, no joke; up to 800 deaths in fact. Whereas just under 80 shark attacks happen each year worldwide.

Sharks and the ecosystem

Sharks play an important role in the ecosystem. As apex predators, which is a predator at the top of the food chain with no natural predators, sharks maintain the species below them in the food chain. Sharks remove the sick and keep the balance with other predators to ensure species diversity.

The decline of the shark population has led to a decline in coral reefs, seagrass beds and the loss of commercial fisheries.

According to Oceana, an organisation aimed at studying everything ocean, in the coral reef ecosystem (large underwater structure made up of coral), once the top predator disappears it means that the larger fish will increase in population and feed on the herbivores (plant eaters). With fewer herbivores, algae (an aquatic plant) expands and the coral reef won’t be able to compete. Algae will be dominant and the reef will die. Coral reefs are important for fishing. If the fish die that means fewer fish for humans to eat.

Cure for diseases

Sharks hold possible cures for diseases. The skin of sharks is incredibly unique and has antimicrobial properties. Researchers were able to create an antibacterial surface coating called Sharklet AF. This technology can prevent a range of bacteria and help stop the spread of superbugs, bacteria that is resistant to drugs, in hospitals.

Economy

According to Shark Business, around R76 million is made from shark tourism, in the form of shark diving, each year. There are over 400 different shark species and just over 100 shark species calls South Africa’s oceans their home. Sharks in South Africa range from the infamous great white shark, ragged-tooth shark, tiger shark and the whale shark, which is the world’s largest living fish.

Naturally, the money made from the tourism of sharks helps thousands stay in this thriving sector, this can be as guides, as captains or even simply as the crew on board the boat.

Technology

According to an article by Conservation, sharks help with advances in technology. An Australian company designed a device that is similar to a shark’s tail to capture wave energy from the ocean and convert it into electrical energy. This could be a great solution since the world is looking for clean energy alternatives to fossil fuels.

Even wetsuits have been created according to the scales of sharks, denticles. These wetsuits are more resistant in the water.

Interesting shark facts

  • Sharks don’t have bones.
  • Sharks go into a trance when flipped upside down.
  • Not all sharks live in the ocean; some live in lakes and rivers.
  • The spiny dogfish species of shark is pregnant for two years.
  • Sharks don’t sleep at all. Some species have to keep swimming in order to breathe and instead of sleeping, they remain in a semi-conscious state.
  • Sharks grow up to 50 000 teeth in a lifetime.
  • Sharks are under threat. 143 species of shark are now endangered. Sharks are caught in fishing nets and are hunted for their fins. Their fins are used in food especially in Asia.
  • For every human killed by a shark, humans kill approximately two million sharks.

    • We need to preserve the ocean at all costs and remember that sharks are friends and not foes. They help in more ways than we can imagine by keeping the food chain balanced. I hope that the next time you think about sharks, it’ll be in an informed way; a way in which you respect the precious fish of the deep.

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    Learn more about the famous sardine run here

    Tell us: After reading this, do you have a deeper understanding of why sharks are important?