The sea will die without sharks

Sharks - hunted hunters of the seas

Their image could hardly be worse. Sharks are usually depicted as the man-eating “monsters of the seas”. However, the intelligent marine animals equipped with highly developed senses play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem. Experts fear that with the eradication of sharks comes an ecological collapse of the oceans. A reef without sharks will die within a single year. This clearly demonstrates the vital function these animals fulfill in the vulnerable ecosystem of the oceans. Currently, one third of the 460 shark species is critically endangered. Every year, well over 100 million sharks are killed worldwide, which means 250,000 animals per day and about three to six per second. No other wild animal is killed in such a brutal way and in such large quantities.

Commercial fishing, the lack of protected areas and a low reproduction rate are the reasons for the dramatic decline in the shark population. According to a study by the University of Halifax, 80% of all deep sea shark species have already disappeared. Above all it is the never ending desire for shark fins that threatens these marine animals. The so-called "shark finning" is the main problem and a cruel way to “harvest a delicacy”.

Shark Finning – a slow death by amputating the fin

In China and other Asian countries, shark fin soup is a delicacy. Estimates suggest that 86% of the sharks that are lured to the vessels using freshly killed dolphins get their fins amputated while still being alive. The rest of the body is considered "waste" and is simply thrown overboard. The critically injured shark slowly bleeds to death and dies an agonizing death. There is a huge market for shark fins: Over 60 countries, most notably India and Sri Lanka, export more than 3,000 tons per year to China and other Asian countries. At a price of 90 - 300 euro per kg, shark fins are a highly lucrative business in Hong Kong.

The EU countries, most notably Spain and Portugal, play a major role in the trade of shark fins with 54% of the whole shark fin trade being made in the EU. The population sizes of shark species that are especially prone to “finning” have already declined by 80%.

Shark fishing as a sport

Sport fishers along the east coast of the USA alone were estimated to catch a total of 2.5 million sharks. To "defeat" a tiger or blue shark is the biggest challenge at a shark fishing tournament.

The Sharks are either dragged behind the boat while still being alive or beaten with a sharp hook until they die. Also popular among divers, is the killing of small sharks with a harpoon. If this cruel method is being banned in a country, the “sportsmen” simply move to other areas. Sport fishing is not about meat production but simply entertainment. Shark teeth are often proudly worn as a trophy after a successful battle.

Pointless death in the fishing nets - The problem by-catch

Tons of sharks end up as by-catch in the fishing nets of the fleets when fishing for the subsidized tuna or swordfish. The UN Organization for Food and Agriculture estimates that each year 600,000 tons of shark are thrown overboard as undesired by-catch. Some are finned; others are already fatally injured when hauled on board.

Sharks as a medical cure?

Cancer, arthritis or simply the lack of vitality - powdered shark cartilage is supposed to treat nearly anything. "Haifit" or "Haitin" are the alleged miracle weapons, and can be acquired for horrendous prices as dietary supplements - mostly over the Internet. Their medical effectiveness is yet to be proven. Nevertheless, the alleged miracle cure costs countless sharks their lives.

The most important shark cartilage producer in Costa Rica processes 200 sharks every day. Which means: the animal is killed, its cartilage removed and the rest of the shark's body is disposed as waste. Shark products end up in anti-wrinkle creams or sexual enhancers, distributed worldwide and also on the European market.