Imagine a world without sharks. Well, if the over exploitation of sharks continues, that might be a reality. Sharks are thought to be harmful animals, but in reality there are only 50-70 shark attacks with 5-10 of them being fatal. Actually, sharks suffer more in the human hands then we do. It is thought that approximately anywhere between 63-273 million sharks are killed per year. Sharks are being killed, much like rhinos and elephants have been, for the delicacy, such as shark fin soup.

If you don't know what shark finning is, it it the act of removing shark fins (dorsal or pectoral). This is usually done while the shark is still alive and once done the remainder of the shark is discarded into the ocean. They sink to the bottom and die either of suffocation because they cannot move (sharks need to keep moving forward to breathe) or other predators eat them.

Shark finning is banned in U.S. waters, but sell and trade continues throughout the country. Commercial fishing for sharks are highly unregulated in other parts of the world as well. In fact, five of the 11 countries that export fins to the U.S. do not have shark finning bans, according to Oceana. By allowing this, it contributes to the problem.

Sharks are an apex predator, they are vital for a healthy ecosystem. As their populations decline fish disappear, algae takes over, suffocating corals. This turns reefs into wastelands of nothingness. This is because removing 'keystone' species from the oceans would cause the food web to disintegrate.

Sharks have been on earth for 400 million years and have survived five planet extinction events. But with the way things are going, they are not going to be able to recuperate. They are slow-growing and slow reproducing species. These animals are amazing and have been on this earth for a long time. So when you think about the stigma that sharks have, who is the real predator?

#FinBanNow

Watch this video (PSA: It is graphic)-- https://youtu.be/IFzKH-O9WM0