A ban on the shark trade would help keep the ecosystem stable. The low level of sharks
in the oceans has a detrimental effect on the ecosystem as a whole. For instance, the University
of Miami’s organization SRC (Shark Research and Conservation) led by marine biologist Dr
Neil Hammerschlag says that “Our research team found that across reefs where sharks have been
depleted, prey fishes had significantly smaller caudal fins and eyes compared to the reefs with
intact shark populations (up to 40 and 46% relative difference in standardized means).”.
“Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration” announced as theme of World Wildlife Day 2022
According to figures by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species, over 8,400 species of wild fauna and flora are critically endangered, while close to 30,000 more are understood to be endangered or vulnerable. Based on these estimates, it is suggested that over a million species are threatened with extinction.
Read MoreTest Your California Shark Knowledge- Survey Results
Results from our Sharktober shark survey- test your knowledge!
There are how many many species of sharks in CA waters:
Surfer Killed by Great White Shark in San Luis Obispo
The 31 year old man was observed face down by a nearby surfer. The nature of the injury indicates it was a white shark (Great white, Carcharodon carcharias), a species of relatively shark common along the central coast of California. Attacks on people are rare, and this makes the 11th confirmed white shark encounter in San Luis Obispo County. According to the Global Shark Attack File this is believed to be San Luis Obispo County’s first fatality by a shark in 18 years 1
Read MoreSharks Worth More Alive Than Dead
New research indicates that nurse shark antibodies are eight times more effective at killing COVID virus than human antibodies. Over 450 million years sharks have survived 5 great extinction events, […]
Read MoreOverfishing to Shark Fins: Blue Sharks Get the Blues
An estimated 20 million blue sharks are killed every year and enter the shark fin trade. Save this species form overfishing and the fin trade by protecting them under CITES Appendix II .
Read MoreShark Attack in Hawaii- What is the Risk?
On December 4, 2021 a man was bit by a shark while surfing at the popular break Banyans in Kailua- Kona between the hours of 5:55 and 6 PM during a period of light rain. Jahred Willieford was waiting for a wave with a nearby
surfer when the shark grasped his arm, pulling him off the board and submerging him before releasing. He reported the shark bit him then spun and hit him in the face with its tail but was able to swim to the adjacent surfer. Aided by his fellow surfer, Mr. Willieford was able to come ashore and was treated by emergency responders
for severe lacerations to his arm, a broken nose and missing teeth.
Join the Shark Team- December News
We are grateful that in 2021 we saw the reintroduction of the California Driftnet Ban and the US Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act: two acts of legislation that Shark Stewards have been involved with since 2013. We are actively supporting the establishment of two new cultural and national marine sanctuaries with NOAA.
Read MoreArt for Sharks: Tom Ciccione
Join us for the last Art for Sharks event in 2021 with designer and print artist Tom Ciccone.
Read MoreComment to Support Two New National Marine Sanctuary Designations
Public comment periods are now open for both designations. Add your voice for the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary here, and learn more about Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument here.
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