How Do Sharks Benefit the Earth?

Our blue planet is full of life, from microscopic phytoplankton to gargantuan blue whales, and all of these species are interconnected. Earth’s ecosystems have evolved for millions of years, creating a perfectly balanced web that is essential to sustaining life on Earth. It’s a delicate balance, and everything must work in harmony together. 

So, where do sharks come in? 

As the apex predator of the ocean, sharks play a vital role in maintaining the health of our oceans. Read on for three ways sharks benefit the Earth. 

1. Sharks keep ecosystems in balance.

As the top of the food chain, sharks are vitally important to the health of their habitats. If sharks ceased to exist, entire ecosystems would collapse. Smaller fish species would increase in population without sharks to prey on them. Eventually, those fish would finish their finite food source and starve, allowing algae and bacteria to take over the reef. This kills coral, and the effects continue on and on. 

2. Sharks keep the ocean healthy and strong.

Sharks control fish populations by natural selection. They take out the slowest and weakest individuals, ensuring that only the strongest of the species reproduce. They also eat dead and dying animals, which keeps the ocean clean and prevents the spread of disease. By simply hunting, sharks act as the white blood cells of the ocean. 

3. Sharks keep fisheries stable and support livelihoods.

By keeping marine ecosystems balanced, healthy and strong, sharks keep fisheries stable. Billions of people around the world depend on fish for food or for their livelihood, and they need sharks to ensure fish populations don’t decline. Sharks can also support entire communities through diving and tourism. The global shark diving industry generates $314 million per year, directly supporting 10,000 jobs. If protected, sharks represent a renewable resource that can fuel the economy for years to come. 

Protecting sharks is protecting the ocean, and protecting the ocean is protecting the Earth.

Despite their importance to the health of our planet, sharks are in peril. Human activities like overfishing and shark finning have driven many species to the brink of extinction. Shark Allies is on the forefront of shark conservation, fighting for these endangered species through policy, advocacy and awareness campaigns. 

100% of proceeds from Shark Cafe directly fund Shark Allies’ conservation programs, so shop today to help us protect sharks and the ocean realm they call home.