Connect To Sea – Sharks are also known as apex predators in the sea which function to maintain the balance of the marine ecosystem
Sharks are one of the oldest animals on earth, having roamed the oceans for 450 million years and have survived five mass extinction phenomena (Signorelli, 2020). Sharks are also known as apex predators in the sea which function to maintain the balance of the marine ecosystem. As top predators, sharks play a role in controlling populations in the food chain in order to maintain the balance of other animal populations in an ecosystem. Sharks have a tendency to consume sick, old, and weak fish. This also reduces the risk of spreading disease in a marine ecosystem.
The disappearance of sharks from the food chain will cause a disruption in the balance of the marine ecosystem, where medium-sized fish which are shark food will reproduce continuously so that their population increases causing a crisis in the fish population at the bottom of the food chain. The disruption of ecosystem balance due to the loss of shark populations not only impacts the environment, but also the welfare of small fish and shrimp fishermen who find it increasingly difficult to catch their catch.
Considering the importance of sharks in the ocean, it is necessary to know the various factors that pose a threat to shark populations so that several strategies can be determined that can be implemented as an effort to conserve and manage sharks. According to Kerry Shor, there are three main threats to sharks, namely:
Overfishing
Overfishing is no stranger to the world of fisheries. Overfishing is a form of massive resource utilization (exploitation) without considering its impact on environmental sustainability and the availability of resource stocks in nature. In the 1970s, the population of sharks and rays in the sea decreased by 71% due to the surge in development of the capture fishing industry. This alone has led to the risk of extinction for 75% of shark and ray species (Pacoureau et al., 2021). Meanwhile, currently, around 100 million sharks are caught every year (Worm et al., 2013). This number is very worrying considering that sharks take a long time to reach maturity and have a low reproductive rate.
High Consumption Levels
The high market demand for shark products for consumption means that the level of shark fishing and trade is still difficult to manage. Every year, an estimated 73 million sharks are caught just for their fins, especially as the main component in shark fin soup. In fact, shark-finning is a cruel practice where sharks are caught and their fins are removed while they are still alive, then thrown back into the sea. Without fins, sharks cannot move and swim, in fact some types of sharks have to swim continuously to keep breathing properly. Therefore, sharks that are victims of shark-finning will generally drown and die on the seabed.
Habitat Loss
Coral reef and shallow water ecosystems are habitats for most sharks because of the availability of food and shelter. However, over time, the habitat for sharks also experiences degradation due to various things. Rising sea temperatures due to climate change are one of the main causes of habitat loss for sharks. Apart from that, human disturbance and the threat of waste and plastic waste have also caused shark habitats to no longer be safe and comfortable for them and other marine animals.
Seeing the various threats to sharks, it is our collective duty to prevent the loss of shark populations in the ocean. Apart from its important role in maintaining ecosystem stability, the diversity of shark species in the sea is also a very valuable asset in the world of science. To realize sustainable and sustainable management of sharks, active participation from various parties is needed; starting from government, academics, conservation institutions, fishermen, to all levels of society.
The WWF Indonesia Foundation itself has collaborated with the government and various partners in implementing various shark management and conservation efforts. One of the latest is the development of innovations in shark-friendly capture fisheries using the Electro Shield System (EES) device. This technology is expected to reduce bycatch in the form of sharks. Apart from that, the WWF Indonesia Foundation also often promotes the #SOSharks (Save Our Sharks) campaign which also collaborates with various communities and the public to avoid consuming shark products.
As a society that is aware of the importance of sharks for the environment, it is appropriate for us to contribute to efforts to protect and preserve sharks; for example by not consuming shark-based dishes, not buying souvenirs made from shark products, supporting environmentally friendly fishing practices, and maintaining the cleanliness and preservation of the coastal environment which is a habitat for the sharks that inhabit our seas.
