The Beacon
Great Whites Tagged off Cape Cod
Sightings of four great white sharks this Labor Day weekend in Cape Cod, Massachusetts may have put a damper on some vacationers' swimming aspirations, but scientists were able to tag two of the sharks, which will allow them to better understand this misunderstood species' migratory patterns.
White sharks are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN red list. Like most sharks, the species matures late and has few young, making it susceptible to overfishing. White sharks are caught as fisheries bycatch and their fins are cut off for use in shark fin soup.
According to CNN, Massachusetts has recorded only four shark attacks since 1670, and the last fatal shark attack in Massachusetts happened in 1936.
Compare that statistic with the millions of sharks killed each year by humans. Healthy oceans need sharks -- even fearsome-looking ones like the great white.
4 Comments
October 26, 2009 - 16:54
Sharks are vital
Sharks are so incredibly vital to the delicate balance of the world's oceans. While many people get a deep fear in their stomachs when they see a shark, either on tv or in the ocean, it's important to remember these beautiful creatures just want to be left alone. We need to do our part and go above and beyond to save these creatures before they are gone forever. Man is destructive but we do not need to be foolish as well.
September 19, 2009 - 13:26
Great to See Great Whites off Cape Cod
I originally started my ocean-friendly company in Cape Cod so it was great to hear about the Great Whites off the coast there...what I would do to get in a cage in the water with them!
The problem of shark finning is enormous and something not completely understood by the western world. I am an American, but I grew up overseas in Asia...and the cultural complexities around shark fin soup are intense. It is hard to understand why the demand for this soup remains even though the destructive practices are known. It really comes down to culture...and culture is one of the most difficult things to change. One of the women who works at my company recently wrote an interesting topic on this cultural dilemma...and please excuse the plug, but the article is here if you are interested: http://sandshack.com/shark-fin-soup-the-appetizer-that-could-end-the-oce...
keep it blue!
--
Brian Linton
Founder
Sand Shack
September 12, 2009 - 06:31
we need sharks in the ocean
we need sharks in the ocean no matter what. People need to understand without the top predator the oceans cant survive. stupid people. SAVE THE SHARKS!
pedro ramos
November 19, 2009 - 10:19
this cool
i like sharks they are cool but i will not like to get bit by one ha ha