Shark Conservation

Sharks have inhabited the world's oceans for over 400 million years. For 400 million years they have been the marine world's top predators, dominating the oceans and swimming without fear. But times have changed.

In just a few decades the populations of many known species of sharks have become so threatened they are in danger of extinction.  What could have caused things to change so quickly?

Shark-finning and the worldwide
demand for shark body parts

The leading threat to the existence of sharks is the practice of "shark-finning."  Shark finning is the practice of capturing a shark and cutting off its fins,- then dumping the live animal back into the ocean to die.  The fins are used primarily in the creation of shark-fin soup.

Until the late1980's shark fin soup was considered a regional delicacy in South China.  It was derided by the Chinese government as a symbol of "elitism" .   But in 1987 the Chinese government reversed it's stance regarding shark fin soup.  No longer saddled with its negative connotation of an elitist dish,  shark fin soup exploded in popularity amongst the masses.  People from all walks of life became willing to pay a high price for the coveted fins, which are easily dried and preserved for sale at local markets.

The growing demand for shark fin soup across Asia, popular at dinners and special occasions such as weddings and birthday celebrations, led to an enormous increase in the practice of "shark finning." 

But it gets worse.  Even though the people of several third world countries could benefit from having shark meat as a food source, instead of storing the entire body of a dead shark on board a vessel, shark fin dealers quickly found that they can maximize profits by bringing only the precious shark fins on board their vessels.  By reserving cargo space, and therefore fuel, by storing only the fins on board, a single ship can easily secure the fins of thousands of dead sharks.  The rest of the body of the shark is considered nothing but a waste and dumped helplessly back into the ocean to die.

Shark body parts are also used to make "shark cartilage" pills, even though no scientific evidence exists to support the claims of their medicinal properties.

Commercial fishing "bycatch"

Another leading threat to shark populations is the practice of "longlining."  Longlining is a commercial fishing practice used by large fishing vessels.  In this practice, a ship spools out anywhere from 40  to 80 miles of line, baiting 30 or 40 thousand hooks at a time in an attempt to catch fish such as tuna and swordfish. 

The problem with longlining fishing methods is that people who use long-lining can't control what kind of fish bites their hooks, and therefore this is a practice that results in the indiscriminate deaths of thousands of unintended sharks, turtles, and other forms of marine life that are also killed as by-catch. 

Therefore longlining is not only a threat to sharks but many other species as well.

Shark Reproduction

Overall, with sharkfinning and longlining leading the way, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reports over 100 million sharks are killed each year. 

Considering that sharks are very slow to reproduce, these numbers are alarming.  As apex predators, sharks have evolved to occupy a position at the top of their food chain.  Like most large animals with few natural predators, it takes most kinds of sharks many years to reach sexual maturity.  Once they finally do reach an age where they are old enough to reproduce, they bear only a relatively few number of young at a time. 

The number of total offspring are sufficient to sustain the overall populations under natural circumstances, but not under circumstances of extreme stress or pressure.  It is clear to the scientific community hat we are killing sharks at a rate faster than they can reproduce.

There are many shark species that are on the road to gradual extinction.

The "Myth" of Jaws

It's natural for people to be afraid of monsters that live in the cold depths of the ocean, lurking  beneath the dangling feet of swimmers, and Hollywood makes a big living preying upon these fears.  Sharks are the victims of a massive misinformation campaign that has gained momentum from movies like "Jaws."

But the truth is that the habitat for most species of sharks is far away from humans, even when sharks do come across a human they don't generally want to eat one, because as long as they can see what they are eating, they know that humans are not their natural food source.

During the time period since the movie "Jaws" came out, humans have been exterminating sharks at a rate of about 100 million per year, while shark attacks against humans occur at a rate of about 10 per year.  It is clear to see who the eating machines really are.  And it's not the sharks.

A Live Shark is More
Valuable than a Dead One

Take a demand for shark body parts on the one hand, their slow reproductive abilities on the other, and then couple that with an unsympathetic public opinion,- and what you have is a recipe for the gradual extinction of sharks.

What can you do to help? 

This site maintains a philosophy that the scuba diving community can take a leading role in preserving these amazing and beautiful animals,,- thru relaying their education and experiences to others as part of an ongoing world-wide wave in the sport of shark diving!  The experiences of divers in close contact with sharks can be instrumental in debunking the myths that surround these beautiful creatures.

Then visit and support the sites listed in this collection of shark conservation links, so that future generations can enjoy one of the most rewarding experiences that scuba has to offer,-  A dive with a shark!

Links of Interest

Guadalupe Island Conservation Fund
The Guadalupe Island Conservation Fund was established in early 2007 by the members of the scuba diving and eco-community to support and raise money to help the Government of Mexico protect the endangered shark population of Isla Guadalupe and to channel money from growing white shark tourism into local conservation-related projects on the island. This fund is managed by MarineBio.org, a US 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of marine life.

WildAid
WildAid is an organization that seeks to eliminate illegal wildlife trade of many types and allow threatened species to recover to safe levels.  As part of their shark protection program, WildAid seeks to reduce demand for shark-fin soup, focusing on consumer education in East Asia.

SeaWatch
founded in 1993 by a small group of Americans and Mexicans disgusted with the destruction of fisheries in the Sea of Cortes. 

Regulations affecting White Sharks in California
PRBO Conservation Science is dedicated to conserving birds, other wildlife, and ecosystems through innovative scientific research and outreach.

The American Elasmobranch Society
The American Elasmobranch Society at the Florida museum of natural history is a non-profit organization that seeks to advance the scientific study of living and fossil sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras, and the promotion of education, conservation, and wise utilization of natural resources.

The Shark Research Institute
The Shark Research Institute is a multi-disciplinary non-profit scientific research organization.

Food for Thought:  Shark Finning Faces Broader Sanctions
An article from Science News Online featuring shark finning information and details regarding the capture of an illegal fishing vessel in Hawaiian waters, as well as the legal battle that ensued.

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society - Shark Finning
An article featuring the longline and anti-shark finning campaign of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.  The article features basic sharkfinning facts and information as well as steps taken by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to combat the practice of longlining and finning.

The United States Extends ban on
Shark Finning to the Pacific Ocean
This article from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations National Marine Fisheries Service, contains information about the  2002 regulations making it unlawful for any federally regulated fishing vessel to carry or land shark fins without the entire shark carcass.

What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
A consumer advisory article from the US Department of Health and Human Services and Environmental Protection Agency. This shark contains specific information about larger fish, such as sharks, that are prone to higher mercury levels because they eat other fish.

Many sharks have a global habitat
range and predictable migration patterns. These patterns are vital in
predicting the locations and times
for the best viewing and shark diving opportunities. 
Explore the links below for basic facts and information about the species most commonly encountered
by shark diving enthusiasts.

Great White Sharks

It is possible that no other living creature on the earth has been
the subject of as much undeserved
fear and hysteria as the Great White Shark.   Growing massive in size,
(the great white is a solitary predator that can reach 20 feet or longer), the natural food source of
a great white consists primarily of harbour seals, northern elephant seals, sea lions, as well as dolphin, porpoise, and even the carcasses
of dead whales.  
Click here for more
on Great Whites.

Hammerhead Sharks

There are several different types of sharks referred to as hammerheads, for example, there is the Winghead Shark, the Scalloped Hammerhead, the Great Hammerhead, and the Smooth Hammerhead, ranging in size from 5 feet up to 15 feet long, with rare appearances of individuals (in the case of the Great Hammerhead) of up to 20 feet long! 
Click here for more
on Hammerheads.

Sand Tiger Sharks

The Sand Tiger is yet another species with an undeserved bad  reputation. It's ferocious reputation is based on the fact that this shark is frequently guilty of attacks
against surfers and swimmers
in the surf zone.
Click here for more
on Sand Tiger sharks.

Galapagos Sharks

Few sharks can rival the beauty and classic shark "form" of the Galapagos Shark.  Getting it's name from it's original discovery in waters off of
the Galapagos Islands, this shark
can grow up to 10 feet long, and
has a dark gray top with off-white belly.  Although they have been implicated in attacks on swimmers, like many sharks, these sharks are not normally dangerous to humans. 
Click here for more
on Galapagos sharks.

Reef Sharks

There are several sharks shark
divers are likely to encounter that
go by the name "reef sharks," such as the Blacktip Reef Shark,
Caribbean Reef Shark, Grey Reef Shark, Silvertip Reef Shark, & Whitetip Reef Shark- just to name
a few! 
Click here for more
on reef sharks.

Whale Sharks

The whale shark is the largest known fish in the sea, reaching a massive size in excess of 40 feet in length!  It can weigh as much as ten tons!  Since they frequently feed in relatively shallow waters around reefs, free diving or scuba diving with this fish is possible. 
The incredible size of this animal  makes a dive with a whale shark unforgettable!  
Click here for more
on Whale sharks.

This is your year to meet "Mystery" at Isla Guadalupe
Book your adventure with us today!

Email us at staff@divingwithsharks.com or call us anytime
to book your Great White shark adventure at

619.565.0208