There is a significant cause for concern over the fact that the worldwide populations of sharks and rays have declined by more than 70 percent over the course of the past fifty years. There is a significant amount of fishing that takes place all around the world, which makes it incredibly difficult for giant sharks that may live for decades or even centuries to thrive and grow to proportions that are ecologically significant. Thanks to recent study that brings to light the significant contribution that sharks make to the maintenance of healthy seas, we might see a change in the near future. The researchers have urged governments to take measures to safeguard these marine predators.
A marine biologist at Florida International University named Michael Heithaus, who is also a member of the study team, issued a statement that emphasized the significance of tiger sharks:
We found that because sharks play such diverse and sometimes important functions in maintaining healthy oceans, their current decline is an urgent problem; […] the mere presence of tiger sharks shapes the entire seagrass ecosystem by changing where and how big grazers, such as sea turtles and sea cows, feed.
During their research, the experts also emphasized the need of governments taking measures to safeguard sharks, particularly those species that play important roles in the ecosystem. According to them, the most effective method to get started with that is to collaborate with the communities that are located in coastal areas. In light of this, there is the potential for the development of support for the protection of these great ocean predators, in a manner similar to how environmentalists operate on land to safeguard famous predators.
We have high hopes that there will be concerted efforts made at every level to safeguard these incredible marine creatures, and we should also begin raising awareness and providing support for the work that researchers are doing. Find more about the recent study here.
