From June 3-11 2017, the Save Our Sharks project is celebrating the third Dutch Caribbean Shark Week. A week full of events simultaneously held on Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and in the Netherlands. All activities are set up to highlight the beauty and importance of sharks. But why do we need an entire week to celebrate the shark? Why do we work so hard to research their biology, change legislation for their protection, and improve the way people think about them? Unfortunately, the answer is quite simple; the shark is in a bad place. Scientists estimate that one in four shark species is threatened with extinction, which is mainly attributed to overfishing and the destruction of vital habitat. Sharks are being targeted for their fins, meat, and liver oil, and millions are caught as accidental bycatch in fisheries targeting other species. The fact that sharks have such a bad image among the general public does not support their case. So over the coming week, I will be posting a series of ten reasons why I think that people should start loving sharks. The first one I have now covered:
“Sharks are being threatened and they really need our help.“
By Linda Planthof
