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Shark Week 2022– How Should We Think About Sharks?

July 22, 2022 by Sea of Change Foundation

By Megan Hoover, Sea of Change Foundation Intern

Samantha Whitcraft, Sea of Change Foundation, Executive Director

            It’s that time of year again when Shark Week commercials promoting documentaries and shows on Discovery Channel and National Geographic begin. This year is the 34th anniversary of Shark Week, and both Discovery Channel and National Geographic have an intense week of programming planned for shark lovers and adrenaline junkies alike. But how might such programming impact the public’s view of sharks?

While enjoying Shark Week, there a few concepts to keep in mind. Historically, sharks were viewed as aggressive “monsters” and still often have negative descriptors associated with them like “feeding frenzy”, “man-eater”, and most frequently, “shark-infested waters”. All these descriptors are the product of media, not science. For example, some sharks may be monstrous in size, but none are monstrous by definition. Sharks don’t feed in a “frenzy”; in fact, due to millions of years of evolution they know exactly what they are doing when they hunt and feed. And they don’t “infest” waters because those waters are their natural habitat. In fact, many shark species and populations are in decline around the world. Based on global data and assessments, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (from the science-based International Union for the Conservation of Nature), estimates that approximately 42% of all shark species fall under one of their threatened categories while an additional 14% of sharks species are categorized as data deficient, meaning there is not enough information to know what their population status is, currently. In total, scientists estimate that 56% of shark species are either threatened with extinction or are unaccounted for, which is more than half of all known shark species.

            One of the of the greatest threats to sharks is overfishing due to the shark fin trade. Mote Marine Laboratory scientists sampled 9,820 fin trimmings from markets in China, which is one of the largest shark fin trade hubs in the world and found that the fins belonged to 86 different species of sharks and their relatives (rays and chimeras) with 61 of those shark species being currently threatened with extinction. Alarmingly, there are few regulations to protect them within their range, and it is possible a wave of extinctions is on the horizons with coastal sharks. Why does it matter that so many shark populations are in decline? There are important reasons why we should care: many shark species play a significant role in ecological functions; they are economically valuable in ecotourism; and solving the mysteries of their complex physiology may help improve the human condition both in health and engineering.

Scientific studies demonstrated that predators, such as many shark species, help maintain healthy ecosystems. For example, a 2014 study entitled Ecological importance of sharks and rays in a structural foodweb analysis in southern Brazilconfirmed that the loss of many large sharks causes changes in the intermediate levels of a food web, but these researchers also found that this dynamic is different in some tropical regions such as in Brazil where the study was conducted. Tropical regions are known for their high biodiversity which creates structurally complex food webs and high topological redundancy, suggesting that these linked food webs could be readily impacted when one or more components are lost. This study found that some species of sharks act as key elements with high structural importance within the ecosystem, serving as important links between other compartments of the foodweb. Based on this study, removing even one shark species from the ecosystem could negatively influence the flow of the food web.

            Not only are sharks important for ecosystem services, they also bring economic value to ecotourism. Shark-based ecotourism includes SCUBA diving, sustainable catch-and-release sport fishing, and snorkeling. A 2020 study entitled “Shark ecotourism in Mexico: Scientific research, conservation, and contribution to a Blue Economy” calculated the economic benefits of shark-watching in Mexico. The estimated annual gross revenue specifically attributable to shark-watching at popular sites in Mexico was estimated to be at least $12.4 million per year excluding additional tourism-based economic activities associated with shark-watching such as additional travel and accommodations beyond these sites. Additionally, a survey of nature tourism operators across the Gulf of California and the Baja California Peninsula identified sharks, especially encounters with whale sharks, as the third most important attraction for their businesses, along with the beauty of reef fishes and the magnificence of cetaceans.

            Sharks also help humans directly. One example is the correlation between shark research and cancer research. An article posted on University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health’s webpage, details how sharks will be integral to research focused on therapies for diseases such as cancer. Dr. Aaron LeBeau will be leading the shark-based cancer research, which is currently the only research of its kind in the world as of January of 2022. He and his colleagues are actively investigating the function of small proteins found in sharks called Variable New Antigen Receptors (VNARs) that may be used to treat certain cancers such as breast, colon, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. One important characteristic of VNARs, which are part of sharks’ adaptive immune system (i.e., the “memory” immunity using antibodies) is that they can be engineered to recognize viruses, bacteria, or cancer cells.

            Not only are sharks beneficial to medical research, the US Navy has also taken an interest in their skin structure. In 2005, sharks provided inspiration for improved naval ship coatings. University of Florida engineers developed an environmentally friendly coating for hulls of oceangoing ships based on shark skin structure. This new coating was designed to mimic the unique skin of sharks, and thereby, allows ships’ hulls to limit the growth of aggressive marine algae and barnacles. This environmentally friendly option has the potential to decrease the use of conventional, toxic copper hull paints that can accumulate in harbor waters. Such an innovation could help save on Naval operational costs. The Navy estimated that approximately $600 million was spent annually just powering navy ships and submarines, with at least $50 million being spent due to the increased drag on the ships from accumulated barnacles and algae. Engineered, simulated shark skin could be the answer.

            Given all that sharks do for us, during Shark Week 2022 and beyond, let’s think about sharks as animals to appreciate for more than just their awesome size and power. They deserve to be celebrated for their services to human society and thanked for what they do for the health of our oceans and our coastal economies. When we think about sharks, we should fear their potential extinctions, not their existence.

Discovery Channel’s Shark Week programming starts July 24 and runs through July 30 from 8 to 11 PM EST every evening. National Geographic is streaming SHARKFEST throughout July.

LEARN MORE:

International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species

Research Indicates Two-Thirds of Global Shark Species at Risk of Extinction due to Shark Fin Trade. DiveNewsWire, July 2022

Ecological importance of sharks and rays in a structural foodweb analysis in southern Brazil. ICES Journal of Marine Science. Oxford Academic 2014

Shark ecotourism in Mexico: Scientific research, conservation, and contribution to a Blue Economy – ScienceDirect, 2020

UW–Madison expert launches novel cancer research using sharks (wisc.edu), 2022

Sharks Provide Inspiration for Ship Coatings. Extracts. University of Florida

Discovery Channel’s SHARK WEEK 2022

SHARKFEST 2022 (nationalgeographic.com)

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Welcome Our 2022 SOC Intern; Megan Hoover

July 11, 2022 by Sea of Change Foundation

WELCOME OUR 2022 SOC Intern; Megan Hoover

July 7, 2022

Hello Sea of Change Foundation friends!

My name is Megan Hoover, and I am excited to announce that I am the Sea of Change Foundation’s new Marine Conservation and Communications intern. I will be working alongside the Foundation’s team to bring to you the latest and greatest marine science news, research, fun facts, and helping with fundraising so we can continue protecting and learning more about our oceans! During my time as an intern here I hope to gain valuable work experience in science communication and make great connections with others who also share a love for our oceans. I hope to highlight the importance of ocean ecosystems and how they connect to our daily lives by being a communication bridge between researchers and the public!

As for my background, I am currently a Master of Professional Science Student at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in Miami, Florida; I am projected to graduate in December of 2022. I have a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, and I have always had a passion for conservation since I was young. Being outdoors whenever possible and exploring new areas is my favorite thing to do in my free time as well as having fun with friends and family. I am an animal lover and worked as a veterinary assistant for five years where I gained a deep appreciation for the selfless people who work in that field. I have many pets of my own: two cats, a chocolate lab, a hedgehog, and two very charismatic axolotls. As for the future, I am open to whatever direction my passion leads to next, but I have become quite interested in environmental action and outreach, which is why I am so excited to be here as an intern!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Creature Feature: Beluga Whale

June 29, 2021 by Bobby Mikelberg

By Bobby Mikelberg; Sea of Change Intern

We’re heading north for this edition of our popular “Creature Feature”, showcasing the fascinating beluga whale. The beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is a relatively small cetacean sharing the order Monodontidae with another unique cetacean, the narwhal (Monodon monoceros). Belugas are well-known in popular culture as “canaries of the sea” for their frequent vocalizations and for the classic, whimsical children’s song, “Baby Beluga”. Their calves are born dark brown but quickly develop into a dark blue-grey tone before gradually becoming creamy white as adults. This all-white adult coloration differentiates it from all other whale species. Fully-grown adults can be as long as 5 meters (15 feet) and weigh up to 3,500 pounds. The adult males are slightly larger in size and weight than the adult females. The beluga pectoral fins are a relatively small for its body size, and they have a short dorsal ridge as opposed to a large dorsal fin. This less obtrusive dorsal feature facilitates maneuvering under sea ice as well as preventing heat loss in the cold arctic waters that are the primary habitat.

Photo by Bobby Mikelberg

Beluga whales have a distinct, bulbous head. It is widely believed that the extensively developed head allows for effective sound production and echolocation. They can produce many different types of sounds in a wide range of frequencies reminiscent of bird songs. The sounds they emit are believed to depend on the type of activity an individual is engaged in such as feeding, socialization, or navigation.

As one of the few arctic cetacean species, beluga whales inhabit the cold northern oceans and estuaries in and along the Canadian, Russian, Alaskan and Greenland coasts. Sub-populations are typically migratory in nature, swimming at average speeds of 3-9km/h (2-6 mph) and reaching sprint speeds of up to 22km/h (14 mph), ranking them among the slowest of marine mammal swimmers. In the summer months, populations spend their time in small rivers and estuaries in search of prey rich feeding grounds while winter months brings thick ice to the surface of small waterways, forcing the animals north into deeper rivers and ocean water around the arctic sea ice.

Photo by Bobby Mikelberg

Beluga whales are versatile and opportunistic predators. Their preferred food sources in deeper waters are cod, salmon, capelin, and herring though they have been found to feed on a wide variety of fish and even sometimes opt for invertebrates like shrimp, squid, and crabs when in shallower waters. As with many predatory whale species, they are susceptible to toxin bioaccumulation, as harmful contaminants store in fat and progressively accumulate all the way up the food chain. Beluga whales reach sexual maturity between the ages of 8 and 15 years, with gestation periods between 14-15 months and young nursing from their mothers for 1-2 years.

This species faces many biological and anthropogenic threats. In fact they share the colder northern waters with two bona fide apex predators in polar bears and killer whales. These species have been seen predating belugas. Additionally, belugas are susceptible to infectious diseases that may be exacerbated by pollution especially in populations that reside in human-influenced habitats. A high PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl, a once widely use organic human carcinogen) concentration in the St. Lawrence Estuary sub-population is believed to contribute to high mortality. Other threats include accidental by-catch and overfishing of their food sources. They are also vulnerable to boat strikes and noise pollution as mammals they must breath air and so they spend much of their time at the waters’ surface. The beluga is officially listed as a species of ‘Least  Concern’ with global population estimates of 136,000 individuals according to the IUCN Red List. However, the Alaska Cook inlet population is categorized as critically endangered and three more sub-populations are categorized as endangered by the IUCN.

Photo by Bobby Mikelberg

Despite their remote, northern habitats, we should keep this interesting species in mind when supporting conservation. There is a lot of work to do to protect beluga whales from shipping routes, oil spills, and noise pollution. Additionally, important research is being done to further understand their population dynamics and health risks. For example, the Beluga Whale Alliance aims to protect the critically endangered Cook Inlet population, and an open water sanctuary has recently been built in Iceland that has already received two individuals rescued from captivity in China. The World Wildlife Fund is also working to identify critical habitats in Canada and the arctic as well as promoting Inuit, scientist and governmental collaboration on industrial planning and climate change initiatives. You can learn more about  this wonderful species at the links below; please support their conservation so that beluga whales can continue to sing well into the future.

List of Links with More Information about Belugas below:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/beluga

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/beluga-whale

https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-we-do/resource-centre/featured-species/mammals/beluga-whale.html

https://www.mmc.gov/priority-topics/species-of-concern/cook-inlet-beluga-whale/

https://www.marinebio.org/species/beluga-whales/delphinapterus-leucas/

Filed Under: Uncategorized

We’re in this TOGETHER. Here’s some at-home education resources

April 3, 2020 by Sea of Change Foundation

Sea of Change Foundation will be posting, on our Facebook page, links and descriptions of resources available online that can be used at home.

During these challenging times, we are all in this together. The Sea of Change Foundation, as a leader in both conservation and education will contribute too. We recognize that families are challenged to find and provide educational resources and activities for home-schooling. To that end, weekly we will be posting, on our Facebook page, links and descriptions of resources available online that can be used at home.

Here are a few to start with:

  • Schoolyard Films, Inc. provides environmental films and study guides;
  • Oceans for Youth Foundation provides “Creature Feature” short, educational videos
  • Patrick Ching, Hawaii’s Nature Artist provides downloadable coloring pages;
  • Ocean First Institute provides a free course in Ocean Literacy;
  • The CornellLab provides virtual birding videos and quizzes.

Additionally, with the Science Exchange, the Foundation has initiated a citizen science competition, the “Build A Better Box” Contest that invites students to learn about and create improved designs for sea turtle nesting boxes using sustainable materials with a $700USD prize. The complete contest requirements and rules are here.

“At the Sea of Change Foundation, we believe in empowering students and families to learn about the natural world” said Samantha Whitcraft, Director of Conservation and Outreach for the Foundation. Importantly, “through the Foundation, we cans help ensure future generations appreciate the natural world and its wonders,” concluded Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures® and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

SOC Supports Shark Allies and Shark Conservation in Florida

December 2, 2019 by Sea of Change Foundation

SOC Supports Shark Allies and Shark Conservation in Florida

View below or as PDF

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sea of Change Foundation Gala Fundraiser at DEMA Show 2019

October 10, 2019 by Sea of Change Foundation

In an on-going effort to support conservation and education, leaders of the adventure travel community will, again, unite in support of the Sea of Change Foundation at this year’s DEMA (Dive Equipment Manufacturers’ Association) show in Orlando, Florida.

he Sea of Change Foundation, along with generous sponsors Aggressor Adventures, SSI, Platinum Pro Foundation, and Mares – is hosting the third annual Coral Reefs Forever Gala beginning at 6:30 p.m., November 14, 2019 in the Orange County Convention Center, room W311E-H.

This “ocean casual” gala event will include complimentary beer and wine, delicious food, a live DJ, dancing, and both a silent and called auction. Outstanding achievements in scuba diving will be recognized via the Platinum Pro Awards along with the Sea of Change Foundation’s annual Lifetime Explorer Award. This year’s recipient is freelance photographer and active proponent of marine conservation issues, Michele Westmorland. “We invite our friends and colleagues from the dive community to join us for what promises to be a great evening in support of an important cause – protecting our natural world!” says Samantha Whitcraft, the Foundation’s Director of Conservation and Outreach.

All funds raised will go directly to support the Sea of Change Foundation’s 2020 conservation projects and scholarships. “With the Sea of Change Foundation, 100% of donations go directly to conservation initiatives around the world to help ensure future generations can also experience the wonders of the natural world,” says founder Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation.

About the Sea of Change Foundation: The Sea of Change Foundation funds conservation and research initiatives that directly impact the natural world we all love to enjoy and explore. Our mission is to create positive change. Learn more about and support the Sea of Change Foundation, here: www.seaofchange.com.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Shark Week 2022– How Should We Think About Sharks?

By Megan Hoover, Sea of Change Foundation Intern Samantha Whitcraft, Sea of Change Foundation, Executive Director             It’s that time of year again when Shark Week commercials promoting documentaries and shows on Discovery Channel and National Geographic begin. This year is the 34th anniversary of Shark Week, and both Discovery Channel and National Geographic have […]

Recent Posts

  • Shark Week 2022– How Should We Think About Sharks?
  • Welcome Our 2022 SOC Intern; Megan Hoover
  • Creature Feature: Beluga Whale
  • We’re in this TOGETHER. Here’s some at-home education resources
  • SOC Supports Shark Allies and Shark Conservation in Florida

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