I cannot begin to express my disgust on the topic of shark culling. (The legalised capturing and killing of sharks to prevent the public from fatal shark attacks) Sharks have been around for millions of years and when humans enter their natural environment, habitat and territory, of course they are taking a calculated risk. There is no excuse or justifiable argument that even comes close to validating a shark cull.
Firstly, as the Apex Predators of the oceans, sharks play a vital role in the Marine Ecosystem. Sharks keep the populations of the other species below them under control, without them the effects would be disastrous. The results would include the lower species growing beyond sustainable levels, eventually leading to this suffocating the ocean. Along with, as studies are already…show more content… One study in the U.S. indicates that the elimination of sharks resulted in the destruction of the shellfish industry in waters off the mid-Atlantic states of the United States. The spike in grouper population (thanks to the elimination of sharks) resulted in a decimation of the parrotfish population, who could no longer perform their important role: keeping coral algae-free. Source: http://www.seashepherd.org/requiem/contact.html
Moreover, organised shark culling has harmful effects on many other species of marine life, as well as sharks. For example, in 2014, a controversial policy was introduced by the Western Australian state government which became known as the Western Australian Shark Cull. The objective of the policy was to protect the public and users of the marine environment from fatal shark attacks. Regardless of the fact that shark bites have killed eleven people in WA since 2000, that’s less than one per year.
Baited hooks known as drum lines were to be set to catch and kill Great White sharks. Thousands of people protested and the movement was abandoned in September 2014 after three
