Fiji Shark Studies Program

Every Jaws fan knows the shark gets it in the end. What they do not know is that too many sharks have gotten it; and that has caused a rapid decline in the shark population over the past thirty years. Since the 1970's, sharks of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shores have declined eighty-five percent. Sharks are vital animal to our world's ecosystem, and if the decline is not controlled; we could be facing devastating problems in years to come. Information has been obtained from two books: The Shark Almanac by Thomas B. Allen and Sharks, An Introduction for the Amateur Naturalist by Sanford A. Moss. Sources also include a number of online references, among them BBC News, ENS News, The New York Times, and two online scientific

Arising over 350 million years ago, the shark species has been labeled as a human devourer. Now, with the increase in human population, the demand for shark meat, fins, and cartilage are at an all time high; therefore, the existence of the shark is becoming a concern (Budker 1971). Individuals are conditioned to think of sharks as a negative aspect to the environment, which is prolonging the effort to save shark species from becoming extinct. With that in mind, some private as well as national organizations have accepted the challenge of educating and informing people about the existence of the shark specie and its importance to the sea.

The dream of having majored in marine biology is one thing, but to get to have a marine biology degree is a fifth grader’s dream come true. The environment is heading in a rough direction. For example, ocean acidification is already a problem. The decrease in pH of our ocean acidity is causing coral reefs to die out—which houses thousands of organisms’ homes and food sources. Due to the contaminants, we release into the natural environment, we are slowly losing ecosystems every day. Therefore, I want to be the researcher to help save the oceanic life from these horrible conditions. Also, the career of marine biology can take a person anywhere, from the coasts of the Bahamas all the way to the depths of the Arctic Ocean. This provides the advantage

Humans are just like sharks. Humans eat meat they have live babies and sharks make mistakes just like humans. Sharks are very interesting creatures but people don’t give them a chance because people make them sound like they are terrible beasts. Many people are more likely to get killed by a car crash then by a shark. If people keep killing sharks for fins there will be no more sharks.

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s article “The Brutal Business of Shark Finning” reminds us that sharks play a key role in the ocean as both predators and scavengers.

My passion for sharks stemmed from when I was offered a position in the Bahamas on a scuba diving charter boat. The week long charters revolved around one thing, the shark feed. After working with sharks for over three years, I feel as though it is my responsibility to try and educate the public about sharks. To begin, there are a growing number of people who respect and love

The Mako shark is a very unique species of cartilaginous fish in the Lamnidae family (Col-Spector, Audrey, “MAKO SHARK- Enchanted Learning Software"). This pelagic swimmer is the fastest shark that has ever been observed in the ocean, clocking in at speeds up to 60 mph (Col-Spector). Its streamlined body allows it to swim at faster speeds than most other fish, making it a highly successful predator. “Schooling fish, including tuna, herring, mackerel, swordfish, and porpoise” are popular among the diet of the Makos (Col-Spector). Although they like to prey specifically on schooling fish, Makos eat just about anything they come across (Col-Spector). The Mako sharks physical features and social characteristics is what sets it apart from other species of the deep.

Donohue, Patrick and Log, Destin. “Sharks 101.” State and Regional Newspaper, 7 September. 2006. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 28 May. 2016.

On ABC’s Good Morning America’s Weekend Adventure special, viewers were taking to new depths of excitement and adventure as tourists went face to face with the beautiful Caribbean Reef Shark off the coast of the Bahamas. The video clip we saw showed tourists from around the world getting up close and personal with these huge, majestic fish. Participates were ecstatic after there trip down under with the fish. One tourist says, “No other dive compares to it”. How have these people been attracted to these adventure dives, and what makes these so appealing? Those are the questions I will explain in the next paragraph.

Thanks to the movie Jaws, many people are scared of sharks. Seeing a fin in the water terrifies all but the most experienced of beach goers. Sadly, this perception means that most do not really care if the sharks are hunted to extinction or not. However, society’s opinion on sharks needs to change if we want any hope of saving the world’s oceans. Sharks, as an apex predator, are an important part of the ocean’s food chain.

Sharks are being harvested in an irresponsible and unsustainable way. Many species of shark could go extinct within our lifetime. Overfishing has caused a dramatic decline of 90% for shark populations worldwide and up to a 99% decline on the US East Coast. (Jha, 2008) This issue is

A “Rogue Shark” is a shark that has ‘chosen to attack people, possibly because they have a sensitivity for human complexion’ (Anon., 2011). Their enormous figures, 85% strength mass and unbelievable weight make them brilliant predators, Through the years of 1916-1933 Australian specialist, Victor M. Cooperson acknowledged the concept of the Rogue Shark which nations when a shark has established a taste for human flesh they will stay in an area or perambulation certain coastlines for human kill. so should Rogue Sharks be killed or conserved if they are driven to attack by the taste of human complexion?

Personal Response: I read the book Surviving Sharks by Allan Zullo. It was not just about shark attacks. The book contained a different story every chapter with different characters and a different dangerous animal. The book was good and it held my attention throughout the entire book. There was no slow points in the book, which made the book easier to read.

Sharks are the most misunderstood animals in the world and are amazingly intricate animals. There are over 360 types of sharks and they live in oceans all over the world. Unfortunately, sharks have been hunted in large numbers for years and the populations have been dwindling before our eyes. Many people remain ignorant to the massive attacks on these beautiful creatures and some don’t understand the issue at hand. What is this issue? Shark finning. Shark finning is the practice of removing the shark’s fins after it has been caught in a fishery. The fins are kept and the body of the shark is typically returned to the sea, often while the shark is still alive. Unable to swim or pass water across its gills, the shark dies from suffocation, blood loss or predation by other species. Is shark finning beneficial and necessary or is it another cruel, outdated, abusive act on these majestic animals?

I am familiar with maintaining a clean working space from my experience during the cat and dogfish shark dissections, as well as the dissections I assist with a Biology 111 Lab Teacher Assistant. During Biology Introduction: Molecules, Cells & Animal Physiology Lab, in the animal project we were Chemistry courses keeping a detailed record and observations seen in the experiments was necessary. Experience with my own dog, especially when he is sick, requires a strict food diet, as well as after a tooth removal surgery, there was a strict food diet we had to follow to feed him. From personal experience by owning guppies fish, keeping the tank clean by removing algae, and other unsanitary materials from the tank was important to keep the guppies