The ocean can be an entirely different world from the one above the shore. At the heart of that world are sharks. In all shapes and sizes, sharks are an integral part of the ocean ecosystem.
Apex predators of the sea, sharks bear the responsibility of regulating the population of their prey, which promotes biodiversity. They also serve as an indicator of ocean water health with their very presence in the water. Since they’re sensitive to ocean conditions, a happy shark is a sign of a healthy ocean.
Despite their crucial role under the sea, sharks are often mistreated and feared by humans. This fear can influence their behavior. Many Americans avoid the water at all costs to completely avoid the risk of shark attacks.
Known as the “Jaws Effect,” a phenomenon exists that leads the public to see sharks as vicious man-eaters. This belief is fueled by the media, specifically films like “Jaws,” “The Meg,” “47 Meters Down” and more, all of which portray sharks as dangerous villains.
The prevalence of this fear is mostly unwarranted though. Chapman University found that 30% of Americans are scared of sharks, but only around 5-10 people are actually killed by sharks every year.
Even these attacks are typically misunderstandings on the part of the shark. The most apparent evidence of this is that humans are not even part of a shark’s diet. Humans lack the nutritional content that sharks require to maintain a balanced diet. Most shark attacks are result of sharks mistaking humans for their typical prey in low-visibility water.
Before judging sharks for their teeth, consider all of the good that they do for their environment. As apex predators, they tend to get a bad reputation, but, in reality, they don’t mean any harm.
