Great White Shark Conservation

Save the Whales. Buy dolphin-friendly tuna. These are the mantras that generally come to mind when one thinks of marine life conservation. However, it is important to remember that whales and dolphins are not the only creatures that need to be protected. The great white shark is also in danger, and there are many efforts in effect to preserve and protect these majestic creatures.

Saving the Great White Shark

It may seem unlikely that the great white shark, which is thought of by many as the terror of the ocean, would need to be protected. However, much like the dolphins, sharks also get caught in the nets of fishermen. In fact, it is estimated that millions of sharks are killed by humans each year either from accidental causes or purposeful attacks.

Great white shark meat and other shark byproducts are sought worldwide for consumption. The population decline, however, has brought the conservation issue to the attention of many people worldwide. In 2004, regulations were approved that make it impossible to trade shark products without special permits. International trade will be watched closely, and if the white shark population continues to decline, trade may be completely barred.

Global protection of the great white shark is important due to the shark's effect on the ocean ecosystem. Their continued survival is crucial to the survival of other species. For this reason, more protection laws will likely be passed until the great white shark population numbers begin to rise.