Great Whites Competitors, Not Children of Megalodon

If the great white was eating the same kinds of prey, then perhaps the smaller sharks competed with the megalodon for food. If so, they might have contributed to its eventual demise, alongside potential changes in other aspects of the ecosystem, like climate. This evidence helps to support the theory that competition with the great white, might have been one factor that removed the mighty megalodon forever from the high seas.

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Over 20,000 Shark Fins Seized, Canadian Importer Fined

On September 25, 2017, Hang Hing Herbal Medicine Ltd. imported a shipment containing 22 bags of processed shark fins, declared as fish bone, into Richmond, BC. The Canada Border Services Agency noted that the shipment contained wildlife products and referred it to ECCC Enforcement. Wildlife enforcement officers inspected the shipment and concluded that the products, declared as fish bone, were in fact shark fins. DNA testing was used to determine that the shipment contained two species of shark, one being a CITES Appendix II-listed species, Carcharhinus longimanus (oceanic whitetip shark). An importer must obtain a permit from the country of export before importing an Appendix II species into Canada. No permit to import the 12, 984 Oceanic Whitetip Shark fins had been obtained.

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Ban The Shark Fin Trade

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).”.

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Shark 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.

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