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Shark Truths

July 8, 2015

Shark Truths

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Rhett Butler Rhett Butler

Sharks are in the headlines again after a series of incidents along beaches in North Carolina. But before changing your summer vacation plans, consider that shark attacks are exceedingly rare – you are about 8o times more likely to be killed by lightning than a shark, according to data from the International Shark Attack File compiled by the University of Florida.

In fact, humans take a far greater toll on sharks, killing tens of millions annually for their fins and meat and as bycatch when fishing for other species. This slaughter is not making beaches safer, but it is impacting marine ecosystems and potentially the availability of seafood. A 2007 study published in the journal Science found that disappearance of sharks triggered a boom in their prey populations – rays, skates, and smaller sharks – which depleted important shellfish, including scallops, oysters, soft-shell and hard clams.

So the next time you order a plate of oysters or scallops, think about the plight of sharks and the role they play in maintaining healthy and productive ecosystems.

Canon


, South Africa Map It

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GABRIELA VARGAS
July 10, 2015 at 2:44 pm

ESTE ASESINATO Y CRIMEN ES EXAGERADO; 70,000,000 DE VÍCTIMAS POR COMIDA. ASIA TIENE QUE ENTENDER QUE YA NO PUEDE CONSUMIR CARNE DE TIBURÓN, LA ESPECIE SE EXTINGUE Y EL OCÉANO SE CONTAMINA DE FORMA MORTAL. LOS TIBURONES COMO CUALQUIER ESPECIE TIENEN DERECHO A VIVIR LIBRES Y PROTEGIDOS POR LEYES RADICALES QUE CASTIGUEN A ASIA POR LA DESTRUCCIÓN.

  • Pingback: Sharks like death metal music | Dear Kitty. Some blog

  • MARTHA LIBIA
    July 10, 2015 at 7:36 pm

    HAY QUE CUIDAR A LOS ECOSISTEMAS Y A LOS ANIMALES MARINOS, NO SE DEBEN DESTRUIR LOS HABITAT NI A LOS ANIMALES, SOBRETODO LA CRUELDAD CONTRA LOS TIBURONES POR LA ALETAS Y LUEGO SER ARROJADOS TODAVIA CON VIDA AL MAR, PARA QUE MUERAN DE UNA FORMA LENTA Y DOLOROSA.

    Paulo Nührich
    July 12, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    Porto Alegre/RS/Brazil July 12, 2015

    Shame!

    Paulo Nührich