Shark Conservation

Sharks have been written into the role of monsters and sea terrorists who live for the time when they can take a bite out of some unsuspecting human. In reality, out of the many species of shark, only three have been linked to human attacks, and attacks are incredibly rare. In fact, in this day and age, it is the shark that needs protection from the humans.

Scientists estimate that sharks, as we know them today, evolved during the Cretaceous period, which is also the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. They have survived as the top predator in the ocean for millions of years. With the modern fishing techniques, however, and the popularity of shark meat, these widely misunderstood animals are becoming endangered.

Sharks and the Natural Ocean Balance

Sharks are a main part of the delicate ocean ecology. Interestingly enough, some species of shark can live for 100 years or more. They are built for longevity, however, because it takes them almost one fifth of this life cycle to become sexually mature. Because it takes sharks so long to mature, and because their litters tend to be rather small, their population can be easily devastated.

There are now a large number of organizations designed to support and educate the public about the conservation of sharks. These groups advocate the protection of sharks and are a large support of the shark diving industry. Shark diving depends upon the shark population, and as it is gaining more popularity as a sport, there are more voices for shark conservation legislation.