Sharks
Douge Perine
There
are some 375 recognised species of sharks around the world, with exciting
discoveries of new species every year. Like so many creatures of the underwater
world, researchers are only just beginning to understand sharks and their life
in a delicate marine habitat.
'Sharks'
explores the changing times of these often misunderstood creatures. Popularly
described as 'killers' and 'primitive', recent research reveals that they are
rarely dangerous to humans and that they have evolved into sophisticated
hunters, with unique adaptations to sustain them as top marine predators.
Despite their resilience, sharks have not yet developed a protection against unnatural pressures from mankind. Fishing, sporting interests and pollution now account for the death of some 100 million sharks every year. Clearly, swift and far-reaching conservation measures are necessary to secure the healthy future of sharks, and the priceless balance of their marine environment.