Bloodthirsty, brutal, beasts — these are all terms frequently used by the media to portray sharks. However, this characterization of these animals overlooks how vital their roles in marine ecosystems are, as well as their relative safety.
The 1975 film “Jaws” was the initial spark in sharks’ infamous reputation. Released at a time when the general public knew little about sharks, the movie portrayed them as human-hunting and vicious. This led to a widespread fear of “shark-infested waters,” and numerous people coming forward with stories about violent shark attacks.
Since then, recreational fishing of sharks has been normalized or even encouraged, to seemingly protect humans from the creatures. Many countries, such as Australia, have been involved in shark culling — government-led hunts of a species.
Because of these human activities and ocean pollution, around one-third of all shark species are endangered. The number of sharks found in the open ocean has decreased by 71% in the past 50 years, according to a study by the University of Exeter, recreational fishing being the leading cause. Additionally, humans kill 80 million sharks annually, around two per second on average, according to recreational fishing data reported to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 2012 to 2019.
The endangerment of sharks is significantly detrimental to marine ecosystems. Sharks are apex predators, meaning they regulate populations of species lower on the food chain and remove dead or weak fish from the ocean. Sharks also change the spatial habitat of their prey, which protects the overuse and destruction of coral reefs. In addition, sharks are an indicator species, meaning their behavior indicates ocean health — if a population of sharks suddenly declines, scientists can infer that something is interfering with the water quality. Sharks also move between shallow and deep waters, transporting nutrients from the open ocean to coral reefs through their excrement.
While most of the media craze surrounding sharks is exaggerated or falsified, there have been several cases of fatal shark attacks. Most famous are the Jersey Shore shark attacks between July 1 and July 12, 1916, where four people were killed and several others were critically injured. Additionally, various facts, such as sharks’ ability to detect one drop of blood from a quarter-mile away, have gone viral and instilled fear in many.
Although there have been numerous cases of fatal shark attacks, they happen less often than portrayed in the media. In 2023, 69 unprovoked shark attacks occurred nationwide, with 10 fatalities. Only 12 shark species out of 475 actually pose a threat to humans. To reduce the number of shark attacks, rather than killing millions of sharks yearly, the governments of water-front cities should raise awareness about ocean safety and methods of detecting shark attacks. Through campaigns, governments can educate citizens about tips to avoid shark attacks, such as staying near shores and avoiding swimming in oceans at dusk or dawn.
Supporting the work of shark conservatories is also important to preserve the species. One organization, Shark Stewards, advocates for policies surrounding shark hunting, including implementing shark fin trade bans, regulating fisheries and supporting marine protected areas. Additionally, by hosting programs like “Shark Buddies,” where people can donate $100 to connect with a shark, a shark film contest and a nationwide petition to reduce fishing of the critically endangered oceanic whitetip sharks, Shark Stewards aims to raise awareness and money to support the species.
