Sharks are some of the most fascinating, ecologically important, threatened, and misunderstood animals on Earth. More often feared than revered, their role as predators of the deep have earned them a reputation as a major threat to humans. But, says marine conservation biologist David Shiffman, the truth is that sharks are not a danger to us—they're in danger from us.
Shiffman examines why it's crucial that we overcome our misconceptions and rise above cinematic jump scares to embrace sharks as the imperiled and elegant ocean guardians they really are. Sharing his own fascinating experiences working with them, Shiffman explains why healthy shark populations are essential for supporting ocean ecosystems—and the coastal economies that depend on them.
Touching on everything from Shark Week to shark fin soup, overfishing to marine sanctuaries, Shiffman reveals why these iconic predators are in trouble, why we should care, and how scientists, conservationists, and individuals can save them.
Shiffman is a marine conservation biologist at Arizona State University. His book, Why Sharks Matter: A Deep Dive with the World's Most Misunderstood Predator (Johns Hopkins University Press), is available for purchase.
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- Purchase your copy of Why Sharks Matter by David Shiffman here.
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