Threats to sharks

http://sharksmou.org/threats-to-sharks

SHARK FINNING

It is estimated the over 73 million sharks are killed by "finning". Finning is when sharks fins are taken off for a Asian dish called fin soup. The sharks are normally normally finned while they are still alive which leaves them to sink to the bottom of the ocean.


BYCATCH

Sharks also face the problem of getting caught up in fishing nets left out by fishermen


MEAT SKIN AND LIVER OIL

Sharks are also hunted for their meat, which is sold at markets and used for consumption. Their skin is used for leather and their liver oil for cosmetics, lubricants and a source of vitamin A.


Sharks face these threats and many more the number of sharks is decreasing at an alarming rate. Because sharks only reach a reproductive age at 12 they fiend it hard to recover the population. 74 out of the 465 assessed species of sharks are classified as threatened including 11 which are classed as critically endangered


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Shark Species

http://scienceblogs.com/lifelines/2014/01/10/great-white-shark-longevity/

GREAT WHITE SHARK

The great white shark is also known as 'the king of the ocean'. They are probably the most famous sharks as they feature in many movies. The great white shark grows about 10 cm each year until it is fully grown, they can reach up to 15ft. They can survive three months without eating even though the are always seen to be attacking victims.

BULL SHARK

http://www.sharksider.com/bull-shark/


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The bull shark is one of the shark species that can live in both salt water and fresh water, this makes the bull shark one of the best know types of sharks. Bull sharks have been nicknamed 'the pitbull of the sea' as they are know for their very aggressive behaviour and commonly attack humans. After about ten years the are fully grown and measure at 11 ft weighing 300 kilograms. Most males live for 13 years where as females can last 17 .



http://www.sharksider.com/types-of-sharks/



THE GREAT HAMMERHEAD SHARK

The great hammerhead shark is most famous for its distinctive appearance. These sharks have a flat T shaped head and very wide set eyes. Having wide set eyes is an advantage for these sharks as it allows them to see more things which helps them to hunt. The great hammerhead shark can grow up to 20ft! And can weight up to 1000 pounds, their teeth are triangular and jagged.

Basic facts about sharks

SHARKS
Sharks have no bones! Believe it or not their skeletons are made of cartilage, a lighter and more flexible tissue than bone. They have a series of 5 to 7 gills on the side of their body in which they breath through. With multiple rows of teeth sharks loose teeth all the tome while more teeth are always growing in place of the teeth they loose. they are covered by a layer of scales that complete the outer layer of the shark in other words, their skin. it top of a shark is normally a dark colour and the bottom is a light or white colour, this is to help them blend in and hide from their prey and predators.


POPULATION

With over 456 species of sharks in the world it is hard to know the exact number of sharks there are. Sharks are however decreasing in numbers because of the threats they face.

HABITAT

Sharks are adaptive creatures and have adapted to various habitats and temperatures from shallow waters near a coastline to the deep waters. some sharks can also be found in fresh water.

BEHAVIOUR

All sharks feed and behave differently some sharks just open their ide mouths and collect small things like krill and plankton while others launch surprise attacks on bigger animals such as seals or sea lions, others can attack a school of fish all at once like a feeding frenzy. Most hunt at night.

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introduction

My name is Sally Dawson and this is my blog on the geography of sharks.