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July 14th is Shark Awareness Day #SharkAwarenessDay. When Charlie was #Homeschooling full time Shark Awareness Day was always one of this favorite days in our classroom. Charlie loved learning about Sharks. Charlie and I would watch Documentaries on YouTube about Sharks Charlie and I would read books like 1,000 Facts About Sharks.
Charlie would do lessons on Sharks including Sharks 4 Kids Curriculum. In our cooking class Charlie and I would make Cookies and Sandwiches in the shape of Sharks and even though Charlie isn’t Homeschooling it doesn’t mean we can’t learn something new every day so if you will excuse me where off to watch a movie about Sharks. Would you like to join us for #movienight? Here is Cookie cutters you can use to make Sandwiches and Cookies.
Shark Awareness Day on July 14 celebrates the Sharks that have had a bad rep for quite a while now. When you think of the dangers of the Sea, Sharks definitely make it on the list because of the way they are depicted in movies and cartoons. However, Shark Awareness Day is not a day to cry foul at said innocent Fish, but instead, it is a day of crying foul FOR Sharks.
The strong and extremely resilient predators are, in fact, more scared of humans than the other way around. There’s a bigger chance of being struck by lightning than being killed or attacked by a Shark. From being killed because humans are scared of Sharks to being harvested for their meat and fins, Sharks have made it on the list of endangered species, which is bad news for them as well as the environment.
Shark Awareness Day appears to have its origins in the U.S., but the day’s goals of raising awareness in favor of said Sea creatures are universal. Sharks, like Fish, date so far back in history that many Scientists refer to them as ‘living fossils.’ In fact, Sharks are older than trees and Dinosaurs, with the latter having roamed the Earth only 230 million years ago. Sharks, on the other hand, have been on the planet for more than 420 million years now.
Sharks have also survived five mass extinctions. They belong to the cartilaginous group of Fish because most of their skeleton is made up of cartilage except for their teeth, which are hard, sharp, and strong to snag and break down their food. The Sharks sleek body shapes aid in providing agility when swimming. Sharks also typically have five or six slits on their sides and pectoral fins that are not attached to their heads.
Over the decades, Shark numbers have dwindled due to several reasons. People have been hunting Sharks for their skin, meat, and fins all over the world. This overfishing has led to many Shark organizations lobbying to make the Shark meat trade illegal. Yet many fishing companies refuse to follow the laws and protocols, continuing to catch Sharks for their personal gain.
Moreover, the scary and dangerous image of Sharks, created by pop culture, has led to many unnecessary killings of the Fish. According to studies and research, the Shark population has reduced by an exponential 71% since 1970. Such a situation is alarming because a reduced Shark population can have grievous impacts on the environment.
Sharks keep the Ocean health in check by keeping the population of other Sea inhabitants under control. For example, Sharks prey on Sea Turtles, who eat seagrass that is important for carbon storage. If the Sea Turtle population increases, the carbon stores are threatened and, by extension, so is the environment.
HOW TO OBSERVE SHARK AWARENESS DAY
- Sharks are hunted for their meat, skin, and fins. Many places in the world offer special fin soups or products made out of shark leather. Boycott such places and encourage others to do so, too.
- If you have the opportunity spread awareness about Shark Awareness Day by talking about Shark Awareness Day with others. Pop culture has done enough damage to the Sharks’ image. Now it’s time for you to join the force to undo the damage by spreading positivity about the Sharks.
- Shark and environmental protection organizations need your help more than ever. They require funds and promotion, and you can help with that by donating and spreading the word about Sharks.
HOW TO OBSERVE SHARK AWARENESS DAY
- Spread awareness about Shark Awareness Day by talking about it with others. Pop culture has done enough damage to Sharks’ image. Now it’s time for you to join the force to undo the damage by spreading positivity about Sharks.
- Shark and environmental protection organizations need your help more than ever. They require funds and promotion, and you can help with that by donating and spreading the word.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
