Natures Pathway in our Oceans

An Unexpected Hero!

A day on a boat in the Bahamas – life is good!  Recently I had an opportunity to take part in a Wild Dolphin Expedition on a beautiful boat called the “Indigo” which is based on South Bimini Island in the Bahamas.   Dolphin Expeditions takes participants into the natural dolphin habitat to interact with the wild animals. 

This trip was an amazing experience for a girl from Wisconsin who just learned to swim two months ago.  The weather was warm and the water was cool, but the temperature became secondary to the activities and education that awaited us.

We began snorkeling near some beautiful tropical reefs observing the entire spectrum of the oceans natural beauty from starfish to brightly colored Tangs.  Our adventure moved to the Gulf Stream as we enjoyed the warm deep blue waters.  The sunlight danced through the water creating a Steven Speilberg movie atmosphere.  After lunch we moved to a small island where we sat in shallow waters and allowed sting rays to gracefully flow around our bodies.  They swam with us for almost an hour. 

Our group had an over whelming feeling of being one with nature and the sensation was exhilarating.  Everyone was feeling pretty good about the connection we made and we were in awe of the diverse gifts the ocean had to offer.

The day was complete and we were all ready for a wonderful dinner prepared by our talented staff on the Indigo.  After dinner our Captain, Geoffery Hanan, requested we watch a movie call “Shark Water” by Rob Stewart.  It seemed an appropriate request because the next day we were heading into the deep waters of dolphin habitat which is also home to the shark.  Although we were all dolphin focused we soon realized we were surrounded by shark enthusiasts and shark biologists.

 Both Jillian Morris and Duncan Brake are marine biologists on the Indigo, with an emphasis in shark ecology.   South Bimini Island is home to a 16 year old research station for shark ecology and both Jillian and Duncan have contributed to the work and findings of the lab.  Upon our arrival to the island we were given a tour and education on the sharks that inhabit the water in this area.  Jerry Kemler, one of the captains of the Indigo, along with Captain Geoffery Hanan,  are both experienced divers and had recently assisted in a documentary on the Tiger shark filmed by the BBC.

As we watched the movie in silence a harsh reality unfolded.   Millions of sharks were being killed for various reasons.  The statistics were staggering, approximately 75 to 100 million sharks are killed a year.  80% of the deaths are for the purpose of one thing only – the shark fin.  Certain eastern cultures use the fin for an elite dish known as “shark fin soup” which at one time was available only to royalty.  The fin has no nutritional value and can actually be toxic due to the mercury that the shark consumes via other fish.  The only reason the fin is used is for superstitious ideals.  After the fin is removed the remaining animal is wasted. 

This is disturbing on many levels.  According to Jillian Morris, the shark is an apex predator, in other words, he is at the top of the food chain.  His purpose is population control and keeping the ocean clean.  Like other apex predators such as our timber wolf, he preys on the weaker species and culls the sick keeping the genetic pool strong and controlling population levels down the food chain. 

The shark grows very slowly and gives birth to a small number of young.  Therefore recovery of population on over harvesting is slow.  On the other hand the shark’s main food source, which is fish, lays thousands of eggs producing many young to fill and feed the ocean.  If their populations remain unchecked the populations will explode and the delicate food chain will become disrupted challenging the ecological balance of the ocean.  Morris states that in removing the shark the ocean begins to die.  In fact there are places in Indonesia where they have completely eliminated the shark and the ocean has died right down to the coral.  The shark fin has developed into a big business with black market politics and everything that follows illegal trade. 

The shark fin is a large part of the reason for the needless killing of the animal but in addition there are many false myths and superstitions that have caused unfounded fears and hunting of the shark.  A few of the myths follow:

·       Myth #1:  Sharks are “man eaters”

FALSE.  Studies show that sharks do not respond to human blood.  We are not on his menu.  Bites have occurred to surfers because their silhouette, from a sharks perspective, is similar to the seal, which is on his menu.

·       Myth #2:  Shark cartilage is good for the immune system, cancer and arthritis.

FALSE.  There is no conclusive evidence indicating any health benefits from shark cartilage capsules, pills or powders.

·       Myth #3:  Shark fin soup is a natural aphrodisiac.

FALSE.  The fin’s only benefit is to the shark.  The soup has no nutritional, stimulant or magical value associated with it.  In fact, the soup primarily consists of chicken broth.

Millions of sharks are being inhumanely killed annually for the sake of these false myths and for illegal profits.  How does this information affect those of us in Wisconsin or other areas so far from shark country?  Simple; if the shark populations continue to decline, the ecological balance of the ocean will suffer.  The earth’s ecological balance is dependent on the ocean.  When the ocean suffers, our entire planet suffers and we all lose.  The ocean is part of our life line like farms and the shark is one of the guardians to its ecological balance.

What can you do to help?

·       Education is the key to fight the manmade myths about the shark.  There are many websites providing information and presentations for teaching others the truth.  One such website is oceanicallstars.com.

·       Do not support the sale of shark fin soup or shark cartilage products.

·       Choose wisely when ordering fish at restaurants.  Monteraybay.com has a list of fish safe for human consumption.  These are fast growing fish verses slow growing, i.e., replenishment is sufficient. 

·       Help those who are helping the shark.  Organizations such as oceanicallstars.com and sharksavers.org need support financially and through education.

I went on this trip to swim and learn about the dolphin, which I did.  But I left having a much better understanding and respect for the shark.  Without the shark to keep our oceans balanced, there will be no dolphin.

For more information please check out the websites above.  Jillian Morris can be reached at jillian@oceanicallstars.com.  For information on a shark expedition to learn more about the shark and swim with them in their natural habitat see dolphinexpedition.com for dates.