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Sharks and the Ecosystem: Will the Continued
Destruction of Many Shark Species Have a
Devastating Effect?
Derek Merryman
Since I was a child I have always found marine wildlife,
especially sharks, fascinating. When I was five years old, my
family moved to waterfront property on the Puget Sound.
While growing up I was very fortunate to be able to explore the
beach and the sound on a daily basis. I believe that my time
spent exploring the different marine life greatly contributes to
my continued interest in sharks today. I have also enjoyed the
experience of swimming with Black Tip reef Sharks in Bora
Bora in 2011 on my honeymoon.
There are around 400 species of sharks swimming in the
oceans today. Of those 400 species, only about 30 are known to
attack humans (International Shark Attack File). In fact, a
person in the United States is thirty times more likely to be
struck by lightning than to ever suffer a shark attack (ISAF).
Yet, sadly, many people around the world think that because
sharks have the potential to attack someone, that it should be
acceptable to kill these dominant predators of the ocean. The
largest factor in the destruction of many shark species results
from the value of shark fins to make the widely controversial
shark fin soup. The status that is attributed with this