#1 Signs of Abundance

When sharks are present in an ecosystem it is a positive sign of ocean health and abundance. As apex predators with diverse prey, sharks help prevent one species from monopolizing in a region, which then allows the overall diversity within an ecosystem to increase. Studies of marine areas with and without apex predators show that apex predators provide greater biodiversity, while areas without apex predators experience an absence of species.

From regulating Earth’s temperatures to providing at least half of our oxygen, the health of our oceans affects us all. This is why the presence of sharks in an area should not be feared, it should be celebrated. #FactsOverFear

#2 Balance Keepers

As apex predators sharks play a crucial role in balancing the oceans’ ecosystems. Sharks are at the top of the food chain, helping regulate the populations of animals below them such as seals, rays and larger predatory fish. They consume the weak, sick, and dying. This makes sure the populations of fish lower on the food chain are not depleted, and remain healthy. Sharks are an essential part of keeping the ocean ecosystems balanced and healthy. If our sharks thrive, the entire system thrives. #FactsOverFear

#3 Human Health

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a growing, major problem for human medicine. Our team is currently studying the bacterial communities of white sharks to see if they produce natural antibiotics due to their ability to heal fast after being wounded. Our team uses safe techniques to collect bacteria samples from the sharks we sample and tag, and then screen these novel bacterial colonies for antibiotic production. If these sharks are producing antibiotics there could be potential for human medical benefits. 

Sharks may potentially provide health benefits for humans and therefore should continue to be studied, not feared or exterminated. #FactsOverFear

#4 Deadlier Things

Did you know you are 30 times more likely to die from a coconut falling from a tree onto your head than from being bitten by a shark? You are also 10 times more likely to get bitten on a subway in New York City by another human than you are from a shark in the ocean.

Shark bites on people are extremely rare. The next time you step in the ocean, remember you’re more at risk of dying from sun exposure or a mosquito bite, than you are from a shark. #FactsOverFear

#5 Beach Risks

Your trip to the beach is 132 times more likely to end in drowning than it is with a shark bite. The biggest risks while at the beach are undertows, rip currents and lightning strikes.  When heading to the beach and ocean, the first thing you should do is check water conditions. If you are unsure about water conditions you can reach out to your local lifeguard or check tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov

If you do find yourself in the middle of a rip current the best thing to do is to remain calm and swim out of the rip, parallel to shore, along the beach. Then follow breaking waves back to shore at an angle. The power of our oceans is something to respect, and far outweighs any fear for the sharks that swim in it. #FactsOverFear 

#6 Ecotourism

From visiting aquariums and marine parks to shark diving, shark ecotourism has an incredible impact on local communities. People travel around the world to dive with sharks and observe their beauty. In the Bahamas alone, shark ecotourism generates an average economic impact of $114 Million per year.

These diving excursions, as well as visits to aquariums and marine parks, allow people to connect with animals that they would not normally interact with, and these connections then allow people to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the animal. 

Shark Ecotourism plays an important role in the economy of many communities and because of this these animals should be protected and celebrated, not feared. #FactsOverFear

#7 Gentle Ocean Giants

Sharks have been on the planet for over 400 million years and today comprise approximately 500 different species. Of those 500 species, half are less than three feet long. In reality, only a handful of sharks present any real threat to humans. 

The whale shark, the biggest fish in the sea, is no threat to humans. They can grow up to 39ft and weigh upwards of 30,000lbs. Whale sharks have extremely tiny teeth, and despite their intimidating size are filter feeders eating only plankton, shrimp and small fish. Whale sharks are true gentle giants and with an awe-inspiring size and beautiful polka dot-patterned body and therefore are a popular shark to safely snorkel and dive with. In fact, they are the largest living creature on the planet that people can observe up close in the wild without being in any danger. #FactsOverFear 

#8 The Number One Predator in the Ocean

The top predators on Earth are humans. Sharks have a lot more to fear from us than we do of them. From finning practices, fishing bycatch and the inappropriate disposal of plastics and other pollutants, many species of sharks are becoming endangered entirely because of us. It has been estimated that humans kill on average about 100 million sharks around the world each year, while an average of less than 10 humans are killed by sharks. Sharks have a bad reputation that has led many humans to fear them, but in reality the tables are turned. 

However, despite the negative impact humans have had on our shark populations, we have also seen a positive impact in many areas as more people, organizations, and governments work to protect, manage and conserve our oceans and shark populations. A healthy population of sharks will lead to a healthy and abundant ocean. #FactsOverFear

#9: Easy to Minimize Your Risk

The ocean is the home of sharks, we are the visitors. Every time you step into the ocean you are stepping into the wild, but there are easy ways to minimize your risk of a shark interaction while swimming.

Avoid swimming in areas with a lot of activity such as birds diving, fish jumping or seals swimming. You don’t want to swim out in the middle of the food chain and be mistaken for a seal or other prey. Instead, moveto a quieter section of the ocean. Remember to use common sense when stepping into the home of wild animals. Sharks do not hunt for humans. We encounter them due to mistaken identity or simply getting in their way. #FactsOverFear

#10: The Inaccurate Portrayal of Sharks

Despite the box office success, the movie Jaws is not an accurate representation of a white shark. In fact, Peter Benchley, the author of Jaws, regretted the inaccurate representation of sharks, and became an active shark conservation advocate. Throughout our studies we have encountered hundreds of white sharks and they are calm, smart and inquisitive animals. They do not stalk humans as prey; they are simply fish trying to survive and be successful in their ocean home.

Sharks have a bad reputation due to their depiction in tv and movies, as well as the intense, often exaggerated coverage of shark bite stories on the news, despite their rarity. The fear of sharks comes mainly from their false representation in the media, not through facts about the animals. #FactsOverFear