Jaws Protecting The Environment

Due to the movie Jaws, shark attacks have become sensationalized , and the common misconceptions of the creature, most people do not know how vital they are to the environment. Sharks are being brutalized by fishing boats. Fishermen have been known to catch the shark, cut off its’ fins, and toss the species back in the ocean. The fins are used for consumption such as shark fin soup which is considered a delicacy in many countries. Without their fins, the sharks are unable to maintain their buoyancy and therefore, die because they have lost the ability of locomotion. Due to this brutality, the Union for the Conservation of Nature has declared 64 shark species endangered and since the 1970’s sharks in the Atlantic Ocean have declined by 50%.
Sharks keep the food chain balanced by eating prey that are weaker, preventing the next generation of prey to overproduce and throw off the food web. According to the Wild, if prey populations are not regulated, the primary consumer is almost non-existent and the plant life population explodes, eliminating habitats, and food sources for other species. The species relies on the ecosystem and vice versa. This is due to the fact that the shark is a very efficient eater, they only consume unhealthy or older fish. Allowing the younger and healthier fish to reproduce and overall create a healthier population. They ensure the primary consumer, or prey populations, are regulated and are restricted to a certain number to maintain balance in the
can possess, buy or sell and shark fin product. In addition, if any violations occur punishment will be referenced from section 307 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. These punishments range from a short ban and license removal, to a search and seizer of a vessel, and can even result in the incarceration of a fisherman or anyone who plays a role in the “illegal market”. However, there will still be a way to legally fin sharks. A license or permit must be issued from the government or the state and the fin must be removed in code with the bill. In addition, sharks can be finned if it is used for certain purposes that is regulated by law. Finally, shark fins can be used for display at a museum or college, and can be used for scientific