Due to overfishing, sharks are being critically endangered and are driven to extinction. They are in danger because of various human activities that involve their hunting and consumption. In many ways, humans have created several ways to assault sharks, making them shrink in number in the world’s ocean.
Austin Gallagher, a Marine Biology graduate at the Northeastern University studies the levels of stress that sharks go through after being captured. According to him, the panic and stress can cause them to die. It is very important to make the fishermen aware of misery the fishes go through when they are brutally captured. Activities including all fishing practices affect the health and sustainability of the marine population. World’s largest environmental networks have stated sharks on the endangered lists. Only after understanding this misery, one can understand the need for marine conservation.
Collaborating with Aquarium research scientist Dr. John Mandelman, Gallagher developed a model for taking blood samples from a caudal vein in the shark. This blood sample is then analysed to know the stress and panic levels of the shark. He says that this work has been difficult as sharks when attacked, may attack you back and are difficult to calm.
Researches like the one Gallagher developed is crucial in understanding the system of Marine Biology. Sharks need our protection against activities like slaughtering and finning. They have their fins sliced off while alive to meet the demand of a delicacy named ‘shark fin soup’ in Asia. Eventually, they are unable to swim and die slowly. Witnessing such alarming, cruel practices and the condition of extinction of most marine species, it is of utmost importance that steps are taken to control and prevent it. If not done, this scenario will continue to push them to the brink of extinction.
Akshara Palshetkar
