Sharks: and why we should thank them.
Sharks have captured our imaginations for centuries, revered and feared in equal measure. These magnificent creatures have prowled the oceans for over 400 million years, making them some of the oldest species on Earth. From the iconic Great White to the graceful Hammerhead, sharks come in all shapes and sizes, each adapted perfectly to its environment.
Despite their fearsome reputation, sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. As apex predators, they help regulate the population of other marine species, ensuring that the delicate balance of life in the ocean is maintained. Without sharks, the marine ecosystem would be thrown into disarray, with potentially disastrous consequences for the entire planet.
One of the most fascinating aspects of sharks is their incredible diversity. There are over 500 species of sharks, ranging from the tiny Dwarf Lanternshark, which measures just 7 inches long, to the massive Whale Shark, which can grow up to 40 feet in length. Each species has its own unique characteristics and behaviors, making them a constant source of fascination for scientists and nature enthusiasts alike.
Despite their importance, sharks face numerous threats, primarily from human activities. Overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change are all taking their toll on shark populations, with some species facing the very real threat of extinction. Conservation efforts are underway around the world to protect these magnificent creatures, but much more needs to be done to ensure their survival for future generations.
I’m a true believer that coming face to face with an animal really changes the way we view them. To actually see the animal in front of you is something that no documentary can really transmit. As a viewer you are completely distanced from the action, but when you are with them, there is nothing like it. A certain admiration for the animal finds its way into you and a deep appreciation not only of the creature in front, but of all natural beings takes hold. This is the feeling people are searching for.
The aforementioned becomes so much more important when it comes to the topic of sharks. A species forever damned by the media and the entertainment industry. Their fearsome reputation could never be more distant from the truth. This man eater label was just a creative storytelling theme which spiraled out of control and is now fixed in people's minds. Don’t take me wrong, they are no puppies and knowing how to behave around them is important, but to think one is in immediate danger when a shark is close by is overly exaggerated. But the idea is such, that words contradicting everything popularly learnt is not enough, the only solution is to take people there.
To experience what being in front of a shark really feels. To really see how they behave when a human is in the water with them and to deconstruct a lifelong idea in a couple of seconds. It doesn’t take long to realize that a shark is just another creature in the ocean, that they might find you interesting, but never appetizing. You’ll learn that there is nothing to fear when swimming with a shark and on the contrary, you might even start going into the ocean hoping to find one. You’ll understand their importance to the marine ecosystem and to the world. Why it’s important to protect them and why more and more people should confront their fear, and come face to face with these amazing creatures.
Shark safaris offer this amazing opportunity. People can comfortably go out into the open ocean and accompanied by expert guides introduce themselves into a brand new way of thinking, of seeing the natural world and relating with its inhabitants, by understanding their place in this world and ours.
