I’d like to thank my friend, Christy, for sharing her thoughts on sharks. Originally she wanted to post this as a comment to my shark blog, but I believe this text merits it’s own space:

First I would like to thank you Sandra for sharing your knowledge about sharks.

Even with the information I have learned I can’t say that if during a dive I came across a shark that I wouldn’t be nervous, excited and even scared, but I know I’m going into there home as a guest and must be respectful, because it is me that doesn’t belong, otherwise I would have flippers instead of fins and gills instead of a big tank full of air on my back.

The movie SHARKWATER was incredible, the cinematography was beautiful, and the story came across very clearly.  It did a wonderful job showing all sides of the spectrum and not just coming across as a bunch of crazy nature radicals .  Before watching it I had no idea the problems sharks were facing.  My first thought was this is as bad as a drug trade.

We as humans always manage to throw off natures balance, the fact is when we enter the oceans we are entering a fourin and beautiful world, sharks and all.  Sharks are on the top of the food chain down below and are needed for many reasons.  Bottom line- we need sharks they don’t need us.

It’s sad to think that one day we may need to tell our children and generations to come that there used to be  this shark called the Great White, or the Tiger Shark.  How many animals have been driven to the point of endangered or even extinct during our life time?  Because of our greed and ignorance.

We also need to note all the other animals that are being destroyed during this horrific fishing process.

Animals like Sea turtles, Rays and many other fish that have been caught, killed and thrown overboard without a second thought because they weren’t the money maker.  This issue is beyond just helping the sharks it is about helping many other sea creatures and in the end helping our selves.

Education,Education, Education!

For more information about Oceana’s campaign to safeguard sharks, please visit www.oceana.org/sharks