Sharks have been present on Earth for more than 400 million years, even before the existence of the dinosaurs. They have withstood five mass extinctions and serve as a crucial component of numerous ocean ecosystems, playing a vital role in maintaining food chains and the general well-being of the oceans.
Sharks are one of the most threatened species on the planet due to human activities, including overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution. Despite their ecological importance, sharks are often seen as a danger to humans, and their numbers have been declining rapidly over the past few decades.
How many Sharks are killed every Year?
The alarming truth is that about 100 million sharks are killed annually worldwide, according to a paper published in Marine Policy in 2013.
Shockingly, this means that approximately 6.4% to 7.9% of all shark species are lost every year, translating to the harrowing reality of 11,416 sharks being killed every hour.
This trend is contributing to a significant decline of over 70% in the global shark population over the last 50 years, which is extremely concerning.
How many Sharks are Killed an hour?
It is estimated that around 11,400 sharks are killed every hour, primarily due to human activities such as overfishing, bycatch, and the demand for shark products such as shark fin soup.
Why are so many Sharks killed?
Sharks are one of the most misunderstood and unfairly maligned creatures on the planet. They have been around for millions of years and play an important role in maintaining the balance of the ocean ecosystem.
Yet despite their crucial ecological role, sharks are dying at an alarming rate, mainly due to human activities.
One of the main reasons sharks are killed is for their fins, which are considered a delicacy in some cultures, particularly Asia. Shark fin soup, a popular dish in many Chinese restaurants, is made by removing the fins from live sharks and then dumping the rest of the carcass into the ocean.
This practice is known as shark finning and is responsible for the deaths of millions of sharks each year. The great demand for shark fins has boosted the market for this product, making it one of the most lucrative businesses in the fishing industry.
How many humans are killed by Sharks?
For every 100 million sharks killed per year, about six to eight humans are killed by sharks every year.
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