The Importance of Preserving Sharks in the Fight Against Climate Change

Why We Need Sharks, Maybe Even More Than Trees

Sharks in regulating oceans and mitigating climate change

Sharks regulate climate change

Sharks have been a critical component of Earth’s marine ecosystems for millions of years, playing an essential role in regulating oceanic environments and mitigating the effects of climate change by reducing carbon emissions. However, shark populations worldwide are rapidly declining, with overfishing largely to blame. According to a study, shark numbers have decreased globally by 71% since 1970. Reef sharks are absent from waters they previously inhabited in 58 countries. Climate change is also contributing to the problem, as rising ocean temperatures are impacting shark populations.

Ocean temperatures are rising due to climate change, which in turn, is having a significant impact on shark populations. For instance, warm waters are linked to outbreaks of skin disease in white-tip reef sharks in Malaysia’s coral reefs. Rising temperatures also increase the risk of baby sharks being born smaller and weaker, which means they are less likely to survive to adulthood. Warmer water is causing the growth process of epaulet sharks from the seas around Australia and New Guinea to speed up, resulting in early hatching and weaker offspring. This is a worrying sign for less-tolerant species, including those that give birth to live young, as they may be at greater risk.

In global change hotspots like southeast Australia, the sea temperature is rising at three to four times the global average, acidity is increasing, and the amount of oxygen in the water is falling. The response of sharks to changes in their environment will be crucial. One response to warmer waters could be moving to cooler waters and away from warming seas as their prey moves in search of food. Great white sharks, for example, have moved 370 miles (600 km) northwards into California’s Monterey Bay waters, disrupting ecosystems as they prey on local sea otters and salmon. This highlights the movement of marine animals toward the poles and the unpredictable and potentially damaging effects that follow.

A study in Western Australia simulated the extinction of tiger sharks due to rising sea temperatures and the knock-on effects it might have on local ecology. Dugongs, relatives of Florida’s manatees, are the shark’s prey, and their numbers would increase, leading to the overgrazing of seagrass. Delicate seagrass environments would not be able to regenerate quickly enough for other species that use it for shelter. The entire ecosystem would be disturbed, and its biodiversity negatively affected. The seagrass meadows’ ability to act as a carbon sink would also be wiped out.

Does Humanity’s Future Depend On Sharks?

The wide-ranging blue shark is another species negatively affected by warming waters. Scientists have discovered that blue sharks don’t dive as deeply in warmer, low-oxygen areas, leaving them exposed to capture by longline fishing boats. Overfishing large fish like sharks, tuna, and swordfish also increases the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. When sharks and other big fish die naturally in the ocean, they sink to the bottom, sequestering their carbon for thousands or millions of years. Therefore, preserving sharks helps to cut carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Preserving sharks are essential for the health of Earth’s ecosystems and the fight against climate change. Climate change is already having a severe impact on shark populations, and it is imperative that we take steps to address the problem. This includes reducing overfishing and protecting critical habitats. With concerted efforts, we can help to ensure that sharks continue to play their critical role in regulating the oceans and reducing carbon emissions.

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