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	<title>protect sharks Archives - Ocean Life Education</title>
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		<title>Should We Protect Sharks?</title>
		<link>https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/should-we-protect-sharks/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[oceanlifeeducation]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2021 01:07:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[amazing sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[amazing sharks course]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[apex predators]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food chain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[help protect sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[keystone species]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[natural selection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ocean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[oceans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protect sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shark]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shark facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shark resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shark teaching resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sharks kids course]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[we need sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[why we need sharks]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/?p=2995</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>&#160; We think so! We hear so many negative stories about sharks in the media but what role do they actually play in the ocean and why are they important to us? The fact is that sharks are a crucial part of the food chain and help keep the oceans, planet (and us), healthy&#8230; and [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/should-we-protect-sharks/">Should We Protect Sharks?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au">Ocean Life Education</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3221 size-medium" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Should-we-protect-sharks-300x251.jpg" alt="Amazing sharks" width="300" height="251" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Should-we-protect-sharks-300x251.jpg 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Should-we-protect-sharks-768x644.jpg 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Should-we-protect-sharks-624x523.jpg 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Should-we-protect-sharks.jpg 940w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>We think so! We hear so many negative stories about sharks in the media but what role do they actually play in the ocean and why are they important to us?</p>
<p>The fact is that sharks are a crucial part of the food chain and help keep the oceans, planet (and us), healthy&#8230; and their numbers are dwindling fast.</p>
<p>Read on to discover why we need sharks and why we need to take action to protect these misunderstood creatures&#8230;</p>
<h3><strong>Sharks Get a Bad Press </strong></h3>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3058 alignleft" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/market-150x150.png" alt="shark cull" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/market-150x150.png 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/market-300x300.png 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/market-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/market-768x768.png 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/market-624x624.png 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/market-1536x1536.png 1536w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/market-2048x2048.png 2048w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/market-400x400.png 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/market-50x50.png 50w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Many people fear sharks because of sensationalised stories in the media and scary films like Jaws.</p>
<p><em> The fact is that 100 million sharks are killed by humans each year and sharks kill around 12 humans a year. </em></p>
<p><strong>So, maybe sharks should be scared of us, not the other way around?</strong></p>
<h3><strong>Learn the Facts About Sharks</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-3222 size-medium" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Why-We-Need-Sharks-Infographic-300x225.jpg" alt="why we need sharks" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Why-We-Need-Sharks-Infographic-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Why-We-Need-Sharks-Infographic-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Why-We-Need-Sharks-Infographic-624x468.jpg 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Why-We-Need-Sharks-Infographic.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>We need to take time to learn the facts about sharks and why they are so important to us and our world, so that we can help protect them. So, we have developed a range of <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/shark-resources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FREE shark resources</a> and an online <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/shark-resources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazing Sharks Course</a> aimed at dispelling the myths and promoting the facts about these misunderstood creatures.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Here are some <span style="color: #01cdff;">REAL FACTS</span> about Sharks&#8230;</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Sharks Help Create a Healthy Ecosystem</strong></h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3002 alignleft" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/reef-150x150.png" alt="shark ecosystem" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/reef-150x150.png 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/reef-300x300.png 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/reef-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/reef-768x768.png 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/reef-624x624.png 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/reef-1536x1536.png 1536w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/reef-400x400.png 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/reef-50x50.png 50w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/reef.png 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Sharks are APEX predators, which means they sit at the top of the food chain and help control the numbers of animals below them in that food chain. By controlling populations of large and mid-sized predators, sharks allow smaller fish to thrive, which has a knock on effect on the food chain below them. Therefore, sharks help create a healthy ecosystem with a diverse range of species and competitors.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Sharks Are a Keystone Species</h3>
<p>Apex predators like sharks are known as keystone species. This means that they are crucially important. If you take sharks out of the food chain, the whole structure could collapse.</p>
<h3></h3>
<h3><strong>Sharks &amp; Natural Selection</strong></h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3000 alignleft" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/prey-150x150.png" alt="sharks &amp; natural selection" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/prey-150x150.png 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/prey-300x300.png 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/prey-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/prey-768x768.png 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/prey-624x624.png 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/prey-1536x1536.png 1536w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/prey-2048x2048.png 2048w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/prey-400x400.png 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/prey-50x50.png 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></p>
<p>Sharks play an important role in natural selection because they prey on and remove weak and sick animals. This reduces the chances of them reproducing and helps keep fish populations healthy and strong.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3></h3>
<h3><strong>Sharks &amp; Habitat Loss</strong></h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3004 alignleft" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shark-reef-150x150.png" alt="reef shark" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shark-reef-150x150.png 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shark-reef-300x300.png 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shark-reef-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shark-reef-768x768.png 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shark-reef-624x624.png 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shark-reef-1536x1536.png 1536w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shark-reef-400x400.png 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shark-reef-50x50.png 50w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shark-reef.png 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Sharks help prevent habitat loss. Habitats like coral reef depend on their fishy caretakers, like the little reef fish that live on them and clean and protect them from disease. Without sharks controlling numbers of big fish in a marine ecosystem, the numbers of these fish could explode. They would in turn kill off the smaller fish. If that happens, the reef would become diseased and die off, affecting millions of animals that depend on it for survival.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3></h3>
<h3></h3>
<h3><strong>Everything On Earth is Connected</strong></h3>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-3009 size-thumbnail" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-planet-150x150.png" alt="blue planet earth" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-planet-150x150.png 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-planet-300x300.png 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-planet-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-planet-768x768.png 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-planet-624x624.png 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-planet-1536x1536.png 1536w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-planet-400x400.png 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-planet-50x50.png 50w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-planet.png 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />The earth’s ocean <strong><em>produces 70 % of the oxygen we breath, food to eat, controls the climate, breaks down pollution, provides us with medicine and much, much more</em></strong>.</p>
<p>Humans are part of our amazing planet’s ecosystem. So, it is in our best interest to protect our home environment and everything within it…including sharks.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Want to Know more?</h3>
<h4>Watch our video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpwd6TYr0GE&amp;t=1s"><span style="color: #01cdff;">Why We Need Sharks</span></a></h4>
<h4><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/how-to-engage-kids-with-an-online-sharks-course/"><span style="color: #01cdff;"><span style="color: #000000;">Read Our Blog:</span> How to Engage Kids with Sharks</span></a></h4>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>How You Can Help Protect Sharks</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Get educated about sharks &#8211; <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/shark-resources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">why not start with our FREE RESOURCES and Amazing Sharks Course </a> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-2562 alignright" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-150x150.png" alt="amazing sharks course" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-150x150.png 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-300x300.png 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-768x768.png 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-624x624.png 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-400x400.png 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-50x50.png 50w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></li>
<li>Share positive shark facts with friends and on social media</li>
<li>Reduce your fish consumption &amp; don&#8217;t buy fish marked &#8216;flake&#8217; &#8211; it&#8217;s shark</li>
<li>Join a shark conservation organisation &#8211; <a href="https://www.seashepherd.org.au/">Sea Shepherd &#8211; </a><a href="http://www.sharksandraysaustralia.com/">Sharks &amp; Rays of Australia  &#8211; </a><a href="https://www.marineconservation.org.au/save-our-sharks/"> Marine Conservation Australia</a></li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>Check out Ocean Life Education&#8217;s other blogs:</strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/how-to-inspire-students-to-protect-the-ocean-in-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to Inspire Kids to Protect the Ocean</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/10-reasons-why-we-depend-on-our-oceans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reasons Why We Depend on Our Oceans</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/how-can-i-protect-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How Can I Protect the Ocean</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Movie/Envoy-Shark-Cull#cinemas=93,38,77&amp;date=2021-07-21"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3066 alignleft" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ESC_690x1000_Poster_FA_QA-150x150.jpg" alt="shark cull" width="112" height="112" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ESC_690x1000_Poster_FA_QA-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ESC_690x1000_Poster_FA_QA-400x400.jpg 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ESC_690x1000_Poster_FA_QA-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 112px) 100vw, 112px" /></a>Check out the latest film <a href="https://watch.envoyfilm.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8216;Shark Cull&#8217;</a> for some interesting views about shark safety programs off Australia&#8217;s East Coast </strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/should-we-protect-sharks/">Should We Protect Sharks?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au">Ocean Life Education</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sharks Down Under – Amazing Australian Shark Facts</title>
		<link>https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/australian-shark-facts/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[oceanlifeeducation]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2020 02:36:16 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[amazing sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[apex predator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[australian shark facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[australian sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coral reef]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[endangered shark]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[great barrier reef]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grey nurse shark]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hammerhead shark]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marine education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online shark course]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online sharks course]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[online sharks course for kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protect sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[queensland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reef fish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scared of sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[school sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shark attacks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shark conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shark discovery program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shark education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shark nets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shark populations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shark populations decline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sharks down under]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sharks found off australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sharks in australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sharks of Australia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[species of shark]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ultimate guide to sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ultimate shark facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[we need sharks]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/?p=1551</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Contrary to popular belief, mainly brought about by scary shark movies, you have more chance of being killed by a coconut than a shark!</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/australian-shark-facts/">Sharks Down Under – Amazing Australian Shark Facts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au">Ocean Life Education</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/ultimate-sharks-facts/shark-scalloped-hgammerhead-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-1553"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1553 size-large" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/shark-scalloped-hgammerhead-2-1024x768.jpg" alt="Hammerhead" width="625" height="469" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/shark-scalloped-hgammerhead-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/shark-scalloped-hgammerhead-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/shark-scalloped-hgammerhead-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/shark-scalloped-hgammerhead-2-624x468.jpg 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/shark-scalloped-hgammerhead-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/shark-scalloped-hgammerhead-2-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></a></p>
<p>Contrary to popular belief, mainly brought about by scary shark movies, you have more chance of being killed by a coconut than a shark! Over-fishing and unsustainable practices are causing shark populations to decline worldwide. Amazing sharks play an important role in our oceans and on our majestic reefs and we should all be concerned about their numbers declining. We believe that the big danger is not sharks; <strong>the big danger is shark extinction. </strong>Here in Australia, we are luck to have bountiful species of shark living off our coastline. Read on to discover some interesting facts about sharks of Australia, why we need sharks in Australia and why we need to protect sharks living off the coast of Australia in our Amazing Australian Shark Facts blog&#8230;</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h2><strong>Sharks in Australian Waters</strong></h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-2535 size-medium" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/hero-image-300x151.jpg" alt="Shark resources" width="300" height="151" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/hero-image-300x151.jpg 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/hero-image-768x387.jpg 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/hero-image-624x314.jpg 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/hero-image.jpg 908w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>There are considered to be around 180 species of sharks in Australian waters and 500 species worldwide. In fact, around 50 species of shark live right here, off the Eastern Coast of Queensland. Eastern Australia’s grey nurse sharks are considered critically endangered and school sharks (sometimes known as flake in fish and chip shops) and scalloped hammerheads are on the endangered shark list too.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Sharks Commonly Found off Australia</strong></h2>
<p>The following sharks are commonly found off Australia&#8217;s coast: Great White, Port Jackson, Thresher, Zebra Shark, Tiger Shark, Tasselled Wobbegong, Whale Shark, Oceanic Whitetip, Blacktip Reef, Grey Nurse, Bull Shark, Bronze Whaler, Great Hammerhead, Blind Shark, Pygmy Shark</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h2><strong><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/ultimate-sharks-facts/great-barrier-reef/" rel="attachment wp-att-1555"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-1555 size-medium" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Great-Barrier-Reef-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Great-Barrier-Reef-300x199.jpg 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Great-Barrier-Reef-768x510.jpg 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Great-Barrier-Reef-624x414.jpg 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Great-Barrier-Reef.jpg 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>Why Do W</strong><strong>e Need Sharks</strong><strong>?</strong></h2>
<p><strong> </strong>There is no doubt that we need sharks. As apex predators, sharks help maintain the balance of life in the sea. Sharks are a vital part of the food chain, controlling mid-sized predators and allowing small reef fish to thrive. Small reef fish take care of our amazing coral reef, therefore sharks help keep coral reef healthy. Without sharks, we would be denied the pleasure of exploring amazing underwater habitats such as the world’s largest natural wonder, Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. The global economic impact on tourism and of declining fish stocks would be huge. So, have no doubt, we need sharks!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Why Are S</strong><strong>hark Populations </strong><strong>in Decline?</strong></h2>
<p>Shark populations are in decline globally and in Australian waters. 100 million sharks are killed in worldwide fisheries each year and habitat degradation, pollution and climate change are also impacting international shark populations. Controversial shark nets and drum lines (designed to protect human populations) add further to the decline.</p>
<p>Sharks live a long time (20-30 years), grow slowly and take a long time to mature and reach reproductive age. This means that even if we slow the decline in shark populations now, populations will take a long time to recover.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/ultimate-sharks-facts/sharks-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-1554"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1554" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sharks-3-300x188.jpg" alt="Sharks Facts Quiz" width="300" height="188" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sharks-3-300x188.jpg 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sharks-3-624x390.jpg 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sharks-3.jpg 720w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>Should I Be Scared of Sharks in Australia?</strong></h2>
<p>No! We don’t think you should be scared of sharks. The ocean is their home and when we visit their home we need to be very aware and respectful of them.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>On average, one person a year is killed in a shark attack in Australia.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>To put things in perspective&#8230;</p>
<ul>
<li>5 people die from falling out of bed</li>
<li>10 people are struck down by lightning</li>
<li>1,100 are killed on our roads</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h2><strong>Ultimate Shark Facts</strong><strong> </strong></h2>
<p>Check out our ultimate shark facts and discover how much you really know about sharks.</p>
<ul>
<li>The largest species of shark is the whale shark</li>
<li>Baby sharks are called pups</li>
<li>Shark bones are made of cartilage</li>
<li>Many sharks have multiple rows of sharp teeth – they can grow 35, 000 in a lifetime</li>
<li>Shark skin feels like sandpaper</li>
<li>The collective noun for a shark is a Shiver (or School, Shoal)</li>
<li>The fastest shark in the ocean is the Shortfin Mako Shark (up to 74k an hour)</li>
<li>The smallest species of shark is the Dwarf Lantern Shark (smaller than a human hand)</li>
<li>Sharks have eyelids but they do not blink</li>
<li>Sharks do not see in colour</li>
<li>10% of shark species are bioluminescent – they light up in the dark</li>
<li>180 species of shark live off the coast of Australia &#8211; 400 species worldwide</li>
<li>Bull sharks can live in fresh and salt water</li>
<li>Some sharks lay eggs (oviparous) others give birth to live young (viviparous), and some are a combination of these two, they start life inside their mother as an egg, hatch inside her and then are born live (ovoviviparous)</li>
<li>Egg laying sharks lay egg cases known as mermaid’s purses</li>
<li>Unlike humans, sharks breathe through gills, so their nostrils are purely dedicated to smelling</li>
<li>Sharks are able to detect blood from 5 km</li>
<li>Sharks can identify which of their two nostrils have picked up a scent – enabling them to determine the direction to swim to find food</li>
<li>Some species of shark can survive for up to 3 months between meals</li>
<li>Sharks can sense vibrations from 3 kilometres away</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>What Can I Do to Help Protect Sharks?</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>Educate yourself and your friends</li>
<li>Share your love of sharks on your social media channels</li>
<li>Join a volunteer shark conservation organisation like <em><strong><a href="http://sharkconservationorg.au">sharkconservationorg.au</a>, </strong></em><strong><em>marineconservation.org.au, seashepherd.com.au</em></strong> (make a donation if you can)</li>
<li>Join a beach clean or just clean as you go!</li>
<li>Buy sustainable seafood and check restaurants have done so. Avoid flake at the Fish &amp; Chip shop as it may be endangered shark</li>
<li>Ask politicians to support ocean acidification research</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Ocean Life Education is passionate about protecting all marine animals and focusing on the important role sharks play in our oceans.  We aim to separate fact from fiction when it comes to the most feared fish in the sea.</strong></p>
<p>Check out our <strong>Shark Discovery Program</strong> for more information on how to inspire kids to love and respect sharks: <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/programs/holiday-program/">www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/programs/holiday-program/ </a></p>
<h4>Want to know more about Amazing Australian Shark Facts?</h4>
<h4><a href="https://oceanlifeeducation.thinkific.com/courses/amazingsharks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-2562 size-thumbnail" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-150x150.png" alt="online shark course" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-150x150.png 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-300x300.png 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-768x768.png 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-624x624.png 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-400x400.png 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square-50x50.png 50w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Logo-square.png 1080w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a></h4>
<h4>Check out our <a href="https://oceanlifeeducation.thinkific.com/courses/amazingsharks"><span style="color: #01cdff;">Amazing Sharks Online Course</span></a></h4>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>We hope you enjoyed reading out blog: Amazing Australian Shark Facts</h4>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/australian-shark-facts/">Sharks Down Under – Amazing Australian Shark Facts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au">Ocean Life Education</a>.</p>
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