All about sharks and shark finning
Are Sharks Dangerous? If you say yes, this might change your mind a little...
"Out of 375 shark species, only 2 dozen are in any way dangerous to us," says Robert Hueter, director of the Center for Shark Research at Mote Marine Laboratory. Scientists think that when shark attacks occur, the sharks really think that they are injured fish or seals-which are easy prey. Why do sharks need protection from becoming extinct? Sharks are the top predators in the aquatic food chain-a web that connect all the organisms in which smaller creatures become food for bigger creatures. Species that sharks attack like seals might overpopulate which would result in many bad things happening.
The movie "Jaws" is about a great white shark that killed many people in a small beach community. It was written by Peter Benchley and later turned into a top grossing move created by Steven Spielberg. But Benchley says he regrets writing it. In the 1970's when he wrote "Jaws", very little was known about the great white sharks. His description of them as the vicious man eaters frightened great numbers of people and started an aggressive shark hunt. Benchley soon came to discover what he wrote was incorrect. Later he said, "Considering the knowledge accumulated...in the past 25 years, I couldn't possibly write 'Jaws' today--not in good conscience anyway."
"For every human being killed by a shark, roughly ten million sharks are killed by humans."
~Peter Benchley
There are many problems in the shark's life. From long lines, nets, and the horrible practice of shark finning. Shark finning is where the fishermen grab the shark, cut off its fin, and sell it in Asian markets after they toss the living animals overboard and leave them to die. Hopefully this will stop because people are beginning to realize how great sharks really are. They are beautiful, graceful, and efficient as always.
Resources:
Holt McDougal Literature Texas Grade 7
Great White Sharks-Peter Benchley
What Do You Know About Sharks?-Sharon Guynup
"Out of 375 shark species, only 2 dozen are in any way dangerous to us," says Robert Hueter, director of the Center for Shark Research at Mote Marine Laboratory. Scientists think that when shark attacks occur, the sharks really think that they are injured fish or seals-which are easy prey. Why do sharks need protection from becoming extinct? Sharks are the top predators in the aquatic food chain-a web that connect all the organisms in which smaller creatures become food for bigger creatures. Species that sharks attack like seals might overpopulate which would result in many bad things happening.
The movie "Jaws" is about a great white shark that killed many people in a small beach community. It was written by Peter Benchley and later turned into a top grossing move created by Steven Spielberg. But Benchley says he regrets writing it. In the 1970's when he wrote "Jaws", very little was known about the great white sharks. His description of them as the vicious man eaters frightened great numbers of people and started an aggressive shark hunt. Benchley soon came to discover what he wrote was incorrect. Later he said, "Considering the knowledge accumulated...in the past 25 years, I couldn't possibly write 'Jaws' today--not in good conscience anyway."
"For every human being killed by a shark, roughly ten million sharks are killed by humans."
~Peter Benchley
There are many problems in the shark's life. From long lines, nets, and the horrible practice of shark finning. Shark finning is where the fishermen grab the shark, cut off its fin, and sell it in Asian markets after they toss the living animals overboard and leave them to die. Hopefully this will stop because people are beginning to realize how great sharks really are. They are beautiful, graceful, and efficient as always.
Resources:
Holt McDougal Literature Texas Grade 7
Great White Sharks-Peter Benchley
What Do You Know About Sharks?-Sharon Guynup