Shark Significance Write an essay in which you explain the importance of sharks in the ocean ecosystem. When most people think about sharks, they imagine a huge scary fin swimming towards them in the ocean. Sharks have a scary reputation, but the truth is they are vital to our ocean ecosystem. There are over 450 species of sharks and most of them rarely attack humans. In fact, when sharks do attach humans it is because they made a mistake and thought the human was their prey. Without sharks, the health of our oceans would be in big trouble. First of all, sharks are apex predators. This means they have no natural predators. Their bodies are equipped to eat their food of choice. Some sharks are omnivores that eat both plants and meat, such as the whale shark. A whale shark is a filter feeder so it eats the food in its path. Other sharks are carnivores. Their endless supply of teeth allows them to eat plenty of meat. The hammerhead shark uses its head to track and trap other food sources. As an apex predator, sharks have a big responsibility. They help prevent the overpopulation and extinction of other species. If there were not enough sharks, then their prey would continue to grow in size. Then, there would not be enough food for the shark's normal prey. They would starve and eventually die. Sharks help keep other species at a balanced size. While sharks have no predators hunting them in the ocean, people hunt them in some parts of the world. People also cause problems for sharks by leaving trash in the ocean. Sharks can mistake plastic for food. Many shark species are already at tisk of becoming endangered, such as the great white shark and the whale shark. We can help sharks by keeping trash out of the ocean, recycling, and teaching others that sharks are not as dangerous as they seem. Sharks play a vital role in the ocean ecosystem.