Editing Shark (section)

==Threats to sharks==
{{Further|List of threatened sharks|Shark sanctuary}}
[[File:Global shark catch.svg|250px|thumb|The annual shark catch has increased rapidly over the last 60 years.|alt=Graph of shark catch from 1950, linear growth from less than 200,000 tons per year in 1950 to about 500,000 in 2011]]
[[File:Sharksfin.jpg|thumb |The value of shark fins for [[shark fin soup]] has led to an increase in shark catches where usually only the fins are taken, while the rest of the shark is discarded, typically into the sea; health concerns about [[beta-Methylamino-L-alanine|BMAA]] in the fins now exists regarding consumption of the soup|alt=Photo of shark fin soup in bowl with Chinese spoon]]
[[File:Tiger shark, Hawaii Aii.jpg|upright|thumb|A {{convert|14|ft|adj=on|order=flip}}, {{convert|1200|lb|adj=on|order=flip}} [[tiger shark]] caught in [[Kāne'ohe Bay]], [[Oahu]] in 1966|alt=Photo of suspended tiger shark next to four men.]]

===Fishery===
In 2008, it was estimated that nearly 100 million sharks were being killed by people every year, due to commercial and recreational fishing.<ref>[http://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/shark-fishing.htm HowStuffWorks "How many sharks are killed recreationally each year - and why?"]. Animals.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved on 2010-09-16. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307145446/http://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/shark-fishing.htm |date=March 7, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="sharkfinsoupcnn">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/10/pip.shark.finning/index.html|work=CNN|title=Shark fin soup alters an ecosystem—CNN.com|date=2008-12-15|access-date=2010-05-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326060120/http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/10/pip.shark.finning/index.html|archive-date=2010-03-26|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, it was estimated that the population of oceanic sharks and rays had dropped by 71% over the previous half-century.<ref name="Einhorn"/>

Shark finning yields are estimated at {{convert|1.44|e6MT|e6ST|abbr=off}} for 2000, and {{convert|1.41|e6MT|e6ST|abbr=off}} for 2010. Based on an analysis of average shark weights, this translates into a total annual mortality estimate of about 100 million sharks in 2000, and about 97 million sharks in 2010, with a total range of possible values between 63 and 273 million sharks per year.<ref name="MarinePolicy201212">{{cite journal| doi=10.1016/j.marpol.2012.12.034 | volume=40 | title=Global catches, exploitation rates, and rebuilding options for sharks | year=2013 | journal=Marine Policy | pages=194–204 | last1 = Worm | first1 = Boris | last2 = Davis | first2 = Brendal | last3 = Kettemer | first3 = Lisa | last4 = Ward-Paige | first4 = Christine A. | last5 = Chapman | first5 = Demian | last6 = Heithaus | first6 = Michael R. | last7 = Kessel | first7 = Steven T. | last8 = Gruber | first8 = Samuel H.| bibcode=2013MarPo..40..194W }}</ref><ref name=eLife2014>{{cite journal|title=Extinction risk and conservation of the world's sharks and rays |journal=eLife |volume=3 |pages=e00590 |author1=Nicholas K Dulvy |author2=Sarah L Fowler |author3=John A Musick |author4=Rachel D Cavanagh |author5=Peter M Kyne |author6=Lucy R Harrison |author7=John K Carlson |author8=Lindsay NK Davidson |author9=Sonja V Fordham |author10=Malcolm P Francis |author11=Caroline M Pollock |author12=Colin A Simpfendorfer |author13=George H Burgess |author14=Kent E Carpenter |author15=Leonard JV Compagno |author16=David A Ebert |author17=Claudine Gibson |author18=Michelle R Heupel |author19=Suzanne R Livingstone |author20=Jonnell C Sanciangco |author21=John D Stevens |author22=Sarah Valenti |author23=William T White |doi=10.7554/eLife.00590|pmid=24448405 |pmc=3897121 |year=2014|quote=eLife 2014;3:e00590 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Sharks are a common seafood in many places, including [[Japan]] and [[Australia]]. In southern Australia, shark is commonly used in [[fish and chips]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Endangered shark meat sold in Australian fish and chip shops, study finds |url=https://news.sky.com/story/endangered-shark-meat-sold-in-australian-fish-and-chip-shops-study-finds-12797363 |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> in which fillets are battered and [[Deep frying|deep-fried]] or crumbed and grilled. In fish and chip shops, shark is called [[Flake (fish)|flake]]. In [[India]], small sharks or baby sharks (called sora in [[Tamil language]], [[Telugu language]]) are sold in local markets. Since the flesh is not developed, cooking the flesh breaks it into powder, which is then fried in oil and spices (called sora puttu/sora poratu). The soft bones can be easily chewed, they are considered a delicacy in coastal [[Tamil Nadu]]. [[Iceland]]ers ferment [[Greenland shark]]s to produce a delicacy called [[hákarl]].<ref name="Herz2012">{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204661604577186843056231170 |title=You eat that? |last=Herz |first=Rachel |date=28 January 2012 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=30 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317012217/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204661604577186843056231170 |archive-date=17 March 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> During a four-year period from 1996 to 2000, an estimated 26 to 73 million sharks were killed and traded annually in commercial markets.<ref name=Bakalar_10_12_2006>{{cite magazine |last=Bakalar |first=Nicholas |title=38 Million Sharks Killed for Fins Annually, Experts Estimate |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061012-shark-fin.html |date=October 12, 2006 |magazine=National Geographic |access-date=2012-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017121948/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061012-shark-fin.html |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Sharks are often killed for [[shark fin soup]]. Fishermen capture live sharks, fin them, and dump the finless animal back into the water. [[Shark finning]] involves removing the fin with a hot metal blade.<ref name="sharkfinsoupcnn"/> The resulting immobile shark soon dies from suffocation or predators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sharktrust.org/content.asp?did=26881|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804143851/http://www.sharktrust.org/content.asp?did=26881|url-status=dead|title=Stop Shark Finning Factsheet|first=Ali|last=Hood|date=June 7, 2007|archivedate=August 4, 2008|website=www.sharktrust.org}}</ref> Shark fin has become a major trade within black markets all over the world. Fins sell for about $300/lb in 2009.<ref name="sharkconservation1">{{Cite web |url=http://actionnetwork.org/pewenvironmentgroup/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=35263072 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130903003354/http://actionnetwork.org/pewenvironmentgroup/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=35263072 |archive-date=2013-09-03 |title=The Action Network |date=September 3, 2013 |website=archive.ph}}</ref> Poachers illegally fin millions each year. Few governments enforce laws that protect them.{{r|eLife2014}} In 2010 Hawaii became the first U.S. state to prohibit the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins.<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/us/29brfs-SHARKFINSOUP_BRF.html
|newspaper=The New York Times
|title=Hawaii: Shark Fin Soup Is Off the Menu
|agency=Associated Press
|date=May 28, 2010
|access-date=June 20, 2010
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701073502/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/us/29brfs-SHARKFINSOUP_BRF.html
|archive-date=July 1, 2017
|url-status=live
}} Research exemptions are available.</ref> From 1996 to 2000, an estimated 38 million sharks had been killed per year for harvesting shark fins.<ref name=Bakalar_10_12_2006/> It is estimated by [[Traffic (conservation programme)|TRAFFIC]] that over 14,000 tonnes of shark fins were exported into Singapore between 2005–2007 and 2012–2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.traffic.org/what-we-do/species/sharks-and-rays/|title=Sharks and Rays - Species we work with at TRAFFIC|website=www.traffic.org|access-date=2019-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110234829/https://www.traffic.org/what-we-do/species/sharks-and-rays/|archive-date=2019-01-10|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Shark fin soup is a [[status symbol]] in Asian countries and is erroneously considered healthy and full of nutrients. Scientific research has revealed, however, that high concentrations of [[BMAA]] are present in shark fins.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Kiyo |last1=Mondo |first2=Neil |last2=Hammerschlag |first3=Margaret |last3=Basile |first4=John |last4=Pablo |first5=Sandra A. |last5=Banack |first6=Deborah C. |last6=Mash | title = Cyanobacterial Neurotoxin β-N-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in Shark Fins | journal = Marine Drugs | date = 2012 | volume = 10 | issue = 2 | pages = 509–520| doi= 10.3390/md10020509|pmid=22412816 | pmc=3297012|doi-access=free }}</ref> Because BMAA is a [[neurotoxin]], consumption of [[shark fin soup]] and cartilage pills, therefore, may pose a health risk.<ref name=ScienceDaily>{{cite web | url = https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120223182516.htm | title = Neurotoxins in shark fins: A human health concern | date = February 23, 2012 | publisher = [[Science Daily]] | access-date = August 9, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190809004711/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120223182516.htm | archive-date = August 9, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref> BMAA is under study for its pathological role in neurodegenerative diseases such as [[ALS]], [[Alzheimer's disease]], and [[Parkinson's disease]].

Sharks are also killed for [[Shark meat|meat]]. European diners consume [[Squalidae|dogfishes]], [[smoothhound]]s, [[Scyliorhinidae|catshark]]s, makos, porbeagle and also skates and rays.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.sharkalliance.org/do_download.asp?did=1090
| title=Shark fisheries and trade in Europe: Fact sheet on Italy
| access-date=2007-09-06
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005153/http://www.sharkalliance.org/do_download.asp?did=1090
| archive-date=2007-09-27
| url-status=live
}}</ref> However, the [[United States|U.S.]] [[Food and Drug Administration|FDA]] lists sharks as one of four fish (with [[swordfish]], [[king mackerel]], and [[tilefish]]) whose high [[mercury in fish|mercury content]] is hazardous to children and pregnant women.

Sharks generally reach [[sexual maturity]] only after many years and produce few offspring in comparison to other harvested fish. Harvesting sharks before they reproduce severely impacts future populations. Capture induced premature birth and abortion (collectively called capture-induced parturition) occurs frequently in sharks/rays when fished.<ref name="Adams" /> Capture-induced parturition is rarely considered in fisheries management despite being shown to occur in at least 12% of live bearing sharks and rays (88 species to date).<ref name="Adams" />

The majority of shark fisheries have little monitoring or management. The rise in demand for shark products increases pressure on fisheries.<ref name=ParttGruberTaniuchi/> Major declines in shark stocks have been recorded—some species have been depleted by over 90% over the past 20–30 years with population declines of 70% not unusual.<ref>{{cite book
| last=Walker |first=T.I.
|year=1998
|title=Shark Fisheries Management and Biology}}</ref> A study by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] suggests that one quarter of all known species of sharks and rays are threatened by extinction and 25 species were classified as critically endangered.<ref name=xray>{{cite web|last=France Porcher|first=Illa|title=One Quarter of Sharks and Rays Face Extinction|url=http://www.xray-mag.com/content/one-quarter-sharks-and-rays-face-extinction|access-date=2014-01-24|date=2014-01-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126030443/http://www.xray-mag.com/content/one-quarter-sharks-and-rays-face-extinction|archive-date=2014-01-26|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Bloomberg>{{cite news|last=Morales|first=Alex|title=Extinction Threatens 1/4 of Sharks and Rays on Red List|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-21/extinction-threatens-1-4-of-sharks-and-rays-on-red-list.html|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121183131/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-21/extinction-threatens-1-4-of-sharks-and-rays-on-red-list.html|archive-date=21 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Shark culling===
{{main|Shark culling}}

In 2014, a [[Western Australian shark cull|shark cull in Western Australia]] killed dozens of sharks (mostly [[tiger sharks]]) using [[drum line (shark control)|drum lines]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/08/world/asia/australia-shark-cull/index.html|title=Australia: Over 170 sharks caught under controversial cull program |publisher=CNN |first=Sophie |last=Brown|date=8 May 2014 |access-date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101001449/http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/08/world/asia/australia-shark-cull/index.html|archive-date=1 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> until it was cancelled after public protests and a decision by the Western Australia EPA; from 2014 to 2017, there was an "imminent threat" policy in Western Australia in which sharks that "threatened" humans in the ocean were shot and killed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/24/wa-abandons-shark-culling-program-but-reserves-right-to-kill-again|title=WA abandons shark culling program, but reserves right to kill again|first=Oliver|last=Milman|date=23 October 2014|access-date=31 December 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126065452/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/24/wa-abandons-shark-culling-program-but-reserves-right-to-kill-again|archive-date=26 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> This "imminent threat" policy was criticized by senator Rachel Siewart for killing endangered sharks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/feb/12/was-serious-threat-shark-policy-condemned-by-senate|title=Western Australia's 'serious threat' shark policy condemned by Senate|first=Calla|last=Wahlquist|date=12 February 2015|access-date=31 December 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126194934/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/feb/12/was-serious-threat-shark-policy-condemned-by-senate|archive-date=26 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The "imminent threat" policy was cancelled in March 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/sharks/premier-mark-mcgowans-shark-plan-not-enough-to-protect-us-ng-b88448984z |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909155357/https://thewest.com.au/news/sharks/premier-mark-mcgowans-shark-plan-not-enough-to-protect-us-ng-b88448984z |archive-date=2018-09-09 |title=Premier Mark McGowan's shark plan not enough to protect us |last=Mercer |first=Daniel |work=The West Australian |date=19 April 2017 |access-date=2 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2018, the Western Australia government announced a plan to re-introduce drum lines (though, this time the drum lines are "SMART" drum lines).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-14/shark-attacks-prompt-wa-to-conduct-smart-drum-line-trial/10117230 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902052538/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-14/shark-attacks-prompt-wa-to-conduct-smart-drum-line-trial/10117230 |archive-date=2018-09-02 |work=ABC News (Australia) |title=Sharks to be caught on SMART drum lines off WA's South West after Labor U-turn |date=August 14, 2018 |access-date=September 2, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

From 1962 to the present,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seashepherd.org.au/apex-harmony/overview/queensland.html|title=Queensland - Overview|website=seashepherd.org.au|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823115901/http://www.seashepherd.org.au/apex-harmony/overview/queensland.html|archive-date=23 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> the government of [[Queensland]] has targeted and killed sharks in large numbers by using [[drum line (shark control)|drum lines]], under a "shark control" program—this program has also inadvertently killed large numbers of other animals such as [[dolphin]]s; it has also killed endangered [[hammerhead shark]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/drumlines-capture-hundreds-of-sharks-in-queensland/news-story/0819c245bd85f1fc120a3cbf886f4647|title=Drumlines nab 695 sharks |work=The Australian|access-date=31 December 2016 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-25/shark-control-program-dolphins-killed-shark-nets-drum-lines/6719682|title=Dolphins, rays among hundreds killed on Queensland shark nets and drum lines, figures show |last=Watson |first=Matt |work=ABC News (Australia)|date=25 August 2015|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512105405/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-25/shark-control-program-dolphins-killed-shark-nets-drum-lines/6719682|archive-date=12 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sealifetrust"/><ref name="ntd"/> Queensland's drum line program has been called "outdated, cruel and ineffective".<ref name="ntd">{{cite web |url=https://www.ntd.tv/2018/09/04/video-endangered-hammerhead-sharks-dead-on-drum-line-in-great-barrier-reef/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919094449/https://www.ntd.tv/2018/09/04/video-endangered-hammerhead-sharks-dead-on-drum-line-in-great-barrier-reef/ |archive-date=2018-09-19 |title=Endangered Hammerhead Sharks Dead on Drum Line in Great Barrier Reef |first=Jack |last=Phillips |work=Ntd.tv |access-date=September 18, 2018}}</ref> From 2001 to 2018, a total of 10,480 sharks were killed on lethal drum lines in Queensland, including in the [[Great Barrier Reef]].<ref>{{cite web |date=September 4, 2018 |title=Queensland Government Kills Sharks, Faces Court Challenge |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/queensland-government-kills-sharks-faces-court-challenge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904151759/https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/queensland-government-kills-sharks-faces-court-challenge |archive-date=2018-09-04 |access-date=October 25, 2018 |work=maritime-executive.com}}</ref> From 1962 to 2018, roughly 50,000 sharks were killed by Queensland authorities.<ref name="Decline">{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/aussie-shark-population-is-staggering-decline/news-story/49e910c828b6e2b735d1c68e6b2c956e |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223022115/https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/aussie-shark-population-is-staggering-decline/news-story/49e910c828b6e2b735d1c68e6b2c956e |archive-date=2018-12-23 |website=News.com.au |title=Aussie shark population in staggering decline |first=Rhian |last=Deutrom |date=December 14, 2018 |access-date=December 22, 2018}}</ref>

The government of [[New South Wales]] has a program that deliberately kills sharks using [[shark net|nets]].<ref name="sealifetrust">{{cite web |url=http://www.sealifetrust.org.au/news/latest/shark-nets-australia-work |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919132255/http://www.sealifetrust.org.au/news/latest/shark-nets-australia-work |archive-date=2018-09-19 |title=Shark nets in Australia—what are they and how do they work? |website=Sealifetrust.org.au |access-date=September 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seashepherd.org.au/apex-harmony/overview/new-south-wales.html|title=New South Wales - Overview|website=seashepherd.org.au|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127215030/http://www.seashepherd.org.au/apex-harmony/overview/new-south-wales.html|archive-date=27 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The current net program in New South Wales has been described as being "extremely destructive" to marine life, including sharks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/elfyscott/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-australias-smart-drum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013133053/https://www.buzzfeed.com/elfyscott/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-australias-smart-drum |archive-date=2018-10-13 |title=Here's What You Need To Know About Australia's SMART Drum Lines Being Used To Prevent Shark Attacks |first=Elfy |last=Scott |work=Buzzfeed |date=July 5, 2018 |access-date=September 2, 2018}}</ref> Between 1950 and 2008, 352 [[tiger shark]]s and 577 [[great white shark]]s were killed in the nets in New South Wales—also during this period, a total of 15,135 marine animals were killed in the nets, including dolphins, whales, turtles, dugongs, and critically endangered [[grey nurse shark]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marineconservation.org.au/pages/shark-culling.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002102324/https://www.marineconservation.org.au/pages/shark-culling.html |archive-date=2018-10-02 |title=Shark Culling |publisher=Australian Marine Convservation Society |access-date=October 25, 2018}}</ref> There has been a very large decrease in the number of sharks in eastern Australia, and the shark-killing programs in Queensland and New South Wales are partly responsible for this decrease.<ref name="Decline"/>

[[Kwazulu-Natal]], an area of [[South Africa]], has a shark-killing program using nets and drum lines—these nets and drum lines have killed turtles and dolphins, and have been criticized for killing wildlife.<ref name="sharkangels">{{cite web |url=http://www.sharkangels.org/index.php/media/news/157-shark-nets |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919132309/http://www.sharkangels.org/index.php/media/news/157-shark-nets |archive-date=2018-09-19 |website=Sharkangels.org |title=Shark nets |access-date=September 18, 2018}}</ref> During a 30-year period, more than 33,000 sharks have been killed in KwaZulu-Natal's shark-killing program—during the same 30-year period, 2,211 turtles, 8,448 rays, and 2,310 dolphins were killed in KwaZulu-Natal.<ref name="sharkangels"/> Authorities on the French island of [[Réunion]] kill about 100 sharks per year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11847758 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002102328/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11847758 |archive-date=2018-10-02 |title=Man Who Devoted Life To Sharks, Killed Off The Coast Of Reunion |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=April 30, 2017 |access-date=October 25, 2018}}</ref>

Killing sharks negatively affects the marine ecosystem.<ref name="pursuit">{{cite web |url=http://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/sharks-how-a-cull-could-ruin-an-ecosystem |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002033521/https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/sharks-how-a-cull-could-ruin-an-ecosystem |archive-date=2018-10-02 |title=Sharks: How A Cull Could Ruin An Ecosystem |first=Alana |last=Schetzer |date=8 May 2017 |publisher=University of Melbourne |access-date=September 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/no-shark-cull-why-some-surfers-don-t-want-kill-n748141 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806024920/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/no-shark-cull-why-some-surfers-don-t-want-kill-n748141 |archive-date=2018-08-06 | work=NBC News |title=No Shark Cull: Why Some Surfers Don't Want to Kill Great Whites Despite Lethal Attacks |first=Chloe |last=Hubbard |date=April 30, 2017 |access-date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> Jessica Morris of [[Humane Society International]] calls shark culling a "knee-jerk reaction" and says, "sharks are top order predators that play an important role in the functioning of marine ecosystems. We need them for healthy oceans."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hsi.org.au/blog/2016/12/08/shark-nets-death-traps-for-marine-animals/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002103912/https://hsi.org.au/blog/2016/12/08/shark-nets-death-traps-for-marine-animals/ |archive-date=2018-10-02 |last=Morris |first=Jessica |date=December 8, 2016 |title=Shark Nets—Death Traps For Marine Animals |publisher=hsi.org.au |access-date=October 25, 2018}}</ref>

[[George H. Burgess]], the former<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20181008/expert-shark-threat-always-going-to-be-problem-for-cape-cod |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020100508/http://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20181008/expert-shark-threat-always-going-to-be-problem-for-cape-cod |archive-date=2018-10-20 |title=Expert: Shark threat 'always going to be a problem' for Cape Cod |first=Doug |last=Fraser |date=October 8, 2018 |work=Cape Cod Times |access-date=October 25, 2018 }}</ref> director of the [[International Shark Attack File]], "describes [shark] culling as a form of revenge, satisfying a public demand for blood and little else";<ref name="thestar">{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/stardispatches/2014/06/16/how_to_swim_with_sharks_and_not_get_eaten.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919094403/https://www.thestar.com/news/stardispatches/2014/06/16/how_to_swim_with_sharks_and_not_get_eaten.html |archive-date=2018-09-19 |title=How To Swim With Sharks And Not Get Eaten |first=Sandro |last=Contenta |work=Toronto Star |date=June 16, 2014 |access-date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> he also said shark culling is a "retro-type move reminiscent of what people would have done in the 1940s and 50s, back when we didn't have an ecological conscience and before we knew the consequences of our actions."<ref name="thestar"/> Jane Williamson, an associate professor in marine ecology at Macquarie University, says "There is no scientific support for the concept that culling sharks in a particular area will lead to a decrease in shark attacks and increase ocean safety."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theconversation.com/mike-baird-is-right-culling-sharks-doesnt-work-heres-what-we-can-do-instead-46195 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117083701/http://theconversation.com/mike-baird-is-right-culling-sharks-doesnt-work-heres-what-we-can-do-instead-46195 |archive-date=2019-01-17 |website=Theconversation.com |title=Mike Baird is right, culling sharks doesn't work—here's what we can do instead |first=Jane |last=Williamson |date=August 17, 2015 |access-date=December 22, 2018}}</ref>

===Other threats===
Other threats include habitat alteration, damage and loss from coastal development, pollution and the impact of fisheries on the seabed and prey species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oceana.org/sharks/threats/|title=The Greatest Threats to Sharks|year=2007|publisher=Oceana|access-date=2009-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603052356/http://oceana.org/sharks/threats/ <!--None-->|archive-date=2009-06-03}}</ref> The 2007 documentary ''[[Sharkwater]]'' exposed how sharks are being hunted to extinction.<ref>[https://ew.com/ew/article/0,,20155947,00.html Sharkwater | Movies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425072237/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20155947,00.html |date=2009-04-25 }}. EW.com (2007-10-31). Retrieved on 2010-09-16.</ref>