Running head: Endangered Hammerhead Sharks

Endangered Hammerhead Sharks Final Draft

Tyler Grix

Salt Lake Community College

English 2010 - 077 Nathan Cole December 5, 2013

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

Abstract This report examines several ideas for protecting Hammerhead Sharks from extinction and the endangered list.

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

Endangered Hammerhead Sharks Hammerhead sharks - humans are still doing research on these pre-historic animals. These animals are the pre-historic sharks to their ancestor sharks that are extinct (the Cladodants) Denham (2007). Some questions about the great Hammerhead Shark, the King Kong of sharks, are: what factors are causing them to be endangered and on the endangered list? One factor in becoming endangered and on the endangered list is overfishing. Another factor is over-consumption of their fins. Hammerhead shark meat is sold for human consumption (fresh, fresh-frozen, dried-salted and smoked), their liver oil is used for vitamins, their hides for leather, and their carcasses for fishmeal. Shark finning, which is cutting off the sharks fins and then throwing them back in the water to die, is a cruel practice in todays world Hall (2013) and Denham (2007). Sharks without fins bleed profusely and cannot swim. They sink to the bottom of the ocean and are not able to get air to breathe. They are eaten slowly by other fish and die a slow and painful death. Sadly, 70-100 million sharks die by overfishing and over-consumption of their fins every year, reducing the shark population Project Aware (2013). Another factor which is causing the Hammerhead Shark to become endangered is bycatch, or catching the sharks incidentally while fishing for other commercial species. Fishermen who set traps to catch other fish usually end up with Hammerhead Sharks in their catch that were enticed by the bait. The overfishing of tuna, dolphins, seals and other types of fish mean the Hammerheads have less to eat in the ocean, thus disturbing the ecosystem. It is much more difficult for them to survive. Red Orbit (2008).

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

Hammerhead Sharks are found many times swimming along the bottom of the ocean, stalking their prey. The Hammerhead Sharks prey on marine animals such as tropical fish, squid, octopus, other sharks, sting rays, groupers and sea catfish. They also prey on other small bony fishes, crabs, squids and other sharks and lobsters. Stingrays are a particular favorite. Their unique head is used as a weapon when hunting down prey. The Hammerhead Shark uses its head to pin down stingrays and eats the ray when the ray is weak and in shock. In turn, the great white sharks prey on the Hammerhead Sharks Wikipedia (2013). There is a species of the Hammerhead Shark that is more aggressive and large in size, the great Hammerhead. These sharks are more aggressive and can be cannibalistic, eating other Hammerhead Sharks. They are also known to eat their own young Wikipedia (2013). This poses a significant threat to the sharks. New markets for shark products are also blurring the line between targeted and accidental catches. Fishermen rely on their overfishing, overconsumption and bycatch to support themselves and their families. The line is grey between targeted and accidental catches. Finning, or the removal of their fins, brings a much higher price than shark meat. This provides them an economic incentive for the wasteful and indefensible practice of finning removing shark fins and discarding the often still alive shark at sea. Finning is often associated with shark overfishing. Keeping only the shark fins allows fishermen to kill many more sharks in a trip than if they were required to bring back the whole animal. Shark finning is largely unregulated in most of the worlds ocean. Finning bands, such as the European Unions (EU) finning regulations, have many loopoles.

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

Trade in only three species of sharks basking, great white and Hammerhead Shark are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endnagered Species, (CITES). Hammerhead sharks breed only once every two years, thus a small growth in population. Once the baby sharks are born, they are not taken care of by the parents in any way. The great Hammerhead Sharks usually have a litter and births 20 to 40 pups. These baby sharks huddle together and swim toward warmer water and stay together until they are older and big enough to be on their own Wikipedia (2013). Concern for the Hammerhead Sharks has been growing for many years; it is now imperative that effective action be taken to protect and restore the number of Hammerhead Sharks. Shark fins are used in fin soup, a delicacy in Asia and other countries of the world. China is the worlds biggest consumer of shark fins in soup Carsten (2013) and Denham (2007). On March 11, 2013, at the convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) voted and agreed to ban international trade with countries whose shark populations have fallen to crisis levels unless shipments are accompanied by documentation showing they were caught legally Carsten (2013) and Project Aware (2013). Hammerhead sharks are also killed for their teeth and their cartilage, which is used as a medicinal product in vitamins in China. Reports indicate that up to 73 million sharks are killed per year, just for their teeth and cartilage. Other factors in causing Hammerheads to be endangered are by catching in commercial fisheries (the unintentional capture of non-target species) and habitat degradation, the effects from climate change, water pollution and destruction of areas like mangroves and reefs that are

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

used by the Hammerheads for breeding and keeping them close to shore and safe when the babies are born, finding and hunting prey, and providing a protected habitat for their young to grow. All these factors contribute to the reducing number of sharks worldwide. Marine mammals that breathe air such as turtles, whales, Hammerhead Sharks and other marine animals are sometimes hit by boats and caught in fishing gear. After the mother turtles lay their eggs and cover them up with sand on the beach, the eggs hatch on their own. One out of 100 eggs make it to the ocean because seagulls, birds of prey, even alligators eat the babies. Very few make it to the ocean. Turtles lay their eggs on land and are being threatened by coastal developments. Hammerheads eat turtles and whales because their ecosystem is being adversely threatened. We need to be careful in protecting marine life, so others may enjoy them. Some countries such as the United States, the Bahamas and Cuba are banning shark finning in their waters. The sharks have also been traveling, migrating and adapting to different oceans to mate and reproduce in warm waters, thus saving some of their population from endangerment Denham (2007). Hammerhead shark sanctuaries in off the coast of Central California have been started to protect endangered sharks and to allow them to grow in a natural, healthy habitat. These shark sanctuaries need to be implemented at a global level to make a real difference. A little awareness on the part of humans on overfishing, bycatch, finning and overconsumption, combined with an education of Hammerheads in terms of their habitat, their diet, their life cycle and their role in the marine ecosystem will help us reduce the sad killing (intentional and unintentional) and save these marine animals.

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

References Carsten, Paul. (2013). Endangered Sharks to be Protected Under International Law. Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/11us-sharkscites-idUSBRE92AOBF20130311. Denham, J., Stevens, J., Simpfendorfer, C.A., Heupel, M.R. (2007). The IUCN RedList of ThreatenedSpecies. Retrieved from: http://www.iucnredlist.org details/ 39386/0. Hall, Lee. (2013). Imperiled Hammerhead Sharks Proposed for Listing Under the Endangered Species Act. Retrieved from: http://www.friendsofanimals.org/news/2013/april/ imperiled-hammerhead.html. Project Aware. (2013). Sharks in Peril. Retrieved from: http://www.projectaware.org/project/ sharks-peril. Red Orbit. (2008). Hammerhead Shark Makes Endangered Species List. Retrieved from: http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1259813/hammerhead_shark_makes_ endangered_species_list. Wikipedia. (2013). Hammerhead Shark. Retrieved from: http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Hammerhead_shark.

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

Endangered Hammerhead Sharks Final Draft

Tyler Grix

Salt Lake Community College

English 2010 - 077 Nathan Cole December 5, 2013

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

Abstract This report examines several ideas for protecting Hammerhead Sharks from extinction and the endangered list.

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

10

Endangered Hammerhead Sharks Hammerhead sharks - humans are still doing research on these pre-historic animals. These animals are the pre-historic sharks to their ancestor sharks that are extinct (the Cladodants) Denham (2007). Some questions about the great Hammerhead Shark, the King Kong of sharks, are: what factors are causing them to be endangered and on the endangered list? One factor in becoming endangered and on the endangered list is overfishing. Another factor is over-consumption of their fins. Hammerhead shark meat is sold for human consumption (fresh, fresh-frozen, dried-salted and smoked), their liver oil is used for vitamins, their hides for leather, and their carcasses for fishmeal. Shark finning, which is cutting off the sharks fins and then throwing them back in the water to die, is a cruel practice in todays world Hall (2013) and Denham (2007). Sharks without fins bleed profusely and cannot swim. They sink to the bottom of the ocean and are not able to get air to breathe. They are eaten slowly by other fish and die a slow and painful death. Sadly, 70-100 million sharks die by overfishing and over-consumption of their fins every year, reducing the shark population Project Aware (2013). Another factor which is causing the Hammerhead Shark to become endangered is bycatch, or catching the sharks incidentally while fishing for other commercial species. Fishermen who set traps to catch other fish usually end up with Hammerhead Sharks in their catch that were enticed by the bait. The overfishing of tuna, dolphins, seals and other types of fish mean the Hammerheads have less to eat in the ocean, thus disturbing the ecosystem. It is much more difficult for them to survive. Red Orbit (2008).

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

11

Hammerhead Sharks are found many times swimming along the bottom of the ocean, stalking their prey. The Hammerhead Sharks prey on marine animals such as tropical fish, squid, octopus, other sharks, sting rays, groupers and sea catfish. They also prey on other small bony fishes, crabs, squids and other sharks and lobsters. Stingrays are a particular favorite. Their unique head is used as a weapon when hunting down prey. The Hammerhead Shark uses its head to pin down stingrays and eats the ray when the ray is weak and in shock. In turn, the great white sharks prey on the Hammerhead Sharks Wikipedia (2013). There is a species of the Hammerhead Shark that is more aggressive and large in size, the great Hammerhead. These sharks are more aggressive and can be cannibalistic, eating other Hammerhead Sharks. They are also known to eat their own young Wikipedia (2013). This poses a significant threat to the sharks. New markets for shark products are also blurring the line between targeted and accidental catches. Fishermen rely on their overfishing, overconsumption and bycatch to support themselves and their families. The line is grey between targeted and accidental catches. Finning, or the removal of their fins, brings a much higher price than shark meat. This provides them an economic incentive for the wasteful and indefensible practice of finning removing shark fins and discarding the often still alive shark at sea. Finning is often associated with shark overfishing. Keeping only the shark fins allows fishermen to kill many more sharks in a trip than if they were required to bring back the whole animal. Shark finning is largely unregulated in most of the worlds ocean. Finning bands, such as the European Unions (EU) finning regulations, have many loopoles.

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

12

Trade in only three species of sharks basking, great white and Hammerhead Shark are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endnagered Species, (CITES). Hammerhead sharks breed only once every two years, thus a small growth in population. Once the baby sharks are born, they are not taken care of by the parents in any way. The great Hammerhead Sharks usually have a litter and births 20 to 40 pups. These baby sharks huddle together and swim toward warmer water and stay together until they are older and big enough to be on their own Wikipedia (2013). Concern for the Hammerhead Sharks has been growing for many years; it is now imperative that effective action be taken to protect and restore the number of Hammerhead Sharks. Shark fins are used in fin soup, a delicacy in Asia and other countries of the world. China is the worlds biggest consumer of shark fins in soup Carsten (2013) and Denham (2007). On March 11, 2013, at the convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) voted and agreed to ban international trade with countries whose shark populations have fallen to crisis levels unless shipments are accompanied by documentation showing they were caught legally Carsten (2013) and Project Aware (2013). Hammerhead sharks are also killed for their teeth and their cartilage, which is used as a medicinal product in vitamins in China. Reports indicate that up to 73 million sharks are killed per year, just for their teeth and cartilage. Other factors in causing Hammerheads to be endangered are by catching in commercial fisheries (the unintentional capture of non-target species) and habitat degradation, the effects from climate change, water pollution and destruction of areas like mangroves and reefs that are

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

13

used by the Hammerheads for breeding and keeping them close to shore and safe when the babies are born, finding and hunting prey, and providing a protected habitat for their young to grow. All these factors contribute to the reducing number of sharks worldwide. Marine mammals that breathe air such as turtles, whales, Hammerhead Sharks and other marine animals are sometimes hit by boats and caught in fishing gear. After the mother turtles lay their eggs and cover them up with sand on the beach, the eggs hatch on their own. One out of 100 eggs make it to the ocean because seagulls, birds of prey, even alligators eat the babies. Very few make it to the ocean. Turtles lay their eggs on land and are being threatened by coastal developments. Hammerheads eat turtles and whales because their ecosystem is being adversely threatened. We need to be careful in protecting marine life, so others may enjoy them. Some countries such as the United States, the Bahamas and Cuba are banning shark finning in their waters. The sharks have also been traveling, migrating and adapting to different oceans to mate and reproduce in warm waters, thus saving some of their population from endangerment Denham (2007). Hammerhead shark sanctuaries in off the coast of Central California have been started to protect endangered sharks and to allow them to grow in a natural, healthy habitat. These shark sanctuaries need to be implemented at a global level to make a real difference. A little awareness on the part of humans on overfishing, bycatch, finning and overconsumption, combined with an education of Hammerheads in terms of their habitat, their diet, their life cycle and their role in the marine ecosystem will help us reduce the sad killing (intentional and unintentional) and save these marine animals.

ENDANGERED HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

14

References Carsten, Paul. (2013). Endangered Sharks to be Protected Under International Law. Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/11us-sharkscites-idUSBRE92AOBF20130311. Denham, J., Stevens, J., Simpfendorfer, C.A., Heupel, M.R. (2007). The IUCN RedList of ThreatenedSpecies. Retrieved from: http://www.iucnredlist.org details/ 39386/0. Hall, Lee. (2013). Imperiled Hammerhead Sharks Proposed for Listing Under the Endangered Species Act. Retrieved from: http://www.friendsofanimals.org/news/2013/april/ imperiled-hammerhead.html. Project Aware. (2013). Sharks in Peril. Retrieved from: http://www.projectaware.org/project/ sharks-peril. Red Orbit. (2008). Hammerhead Shark Makes Endangered Species List. Retrieved from: http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1259813/hammerhead_shark_makes_ endangered_species_list. Wikipedia. (2013). Hammerhead Shark. Retrieved from: http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Hammerhead_shark.