Good article.
Calm Seas,
Catherine French
Writer, mentor, naturalist
805.570.0432
We are given only so many days, make each one count.
Sent from my iPad Air
Begin forwarded message:
From: Ocean Conservancy <oceans@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: July 22, 2020 at 5:16:39 AM PDT
To: cfrench1366@xxxxxxx
Subject: Healthy sharks and healthy reefs go hand in hand
Reply-To: Ocean Conservancy <oceans@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
MAKE MY GIFT
Catherine,
There are few feelings quite like seeing a shark while snorkeling or diving
on a coral reef. When I see a shark on the reef, first I am excited. Then,
I’m relieved.
I understand that you might think relief is an unexpected response. Thanks to
pop culture (I’m looking at you, Jaws!) many people are taught to fear
sharks. But seeing a shark glide effortlessly along a coral reef is not just
an awe-inspiring moment, it can also be a good indication that the reef is
healthy.
Sharks are important to many reef ecosystems. In their roles as top
predators, they play an essential role in the functioning food web. Sharks
help keep their prey populations in check and can help maintain a healthy,
diverse reef ecosystem. There are many shark species that make their home on
coral reefs at least part of the time, including the blacktip reef shark,
Caribbean reef shark and tiger shark.
The health of the reef is tied to the health of its sharks: many sharks
depend on healthy reefs to survive. But reef sharks—and their reef
habitats—are in trouble.
Climate change is having a big impact on the ocean. Carbon dioxide emissions
are making our ocean warmer and more acidic, and these changes are having a
surprising effect on the sharks that call it home. In particular,
coral-dependent sharks species may be less able to adapt to these changes.
Acidification degrades the foundation of the reef. And acidification makes it
harder for coral polyps to build their hard calcium carbonate skeletons.
Without skeletons, the coral reef ecosystems where sharks and other reef fish
live would be gone. Additionally, some studies have shown ocean acidification
reduces the sense of smell in several shark species and other fish,
suggesting it could make it harder for them to find their prey if climate
change continues. In fact, in one study testing the predicted acidification
conditions in 2100, smooth dogfish could only detect their prey 15% of the
time.
Addressing climate change and its impact on ocean acidification is crucial to
the health of coral reef ecosystems, and the animals who depend on these
systems.
We can’t wait; we need to address climate change and ocean acidification
today. Here at Ocean Conservancy, we’re working with scientists, policy
makers and advocates like YOU to fight against climate change and ocean
acidification. Your donation to Ocean Conservancy helps combat the growing
threat of acidification on our reefs and other impacts on the world’s ocean.
Sharks and corals have survived for millions of years, but they need our help
to survive in the years to come. Join us with a donation today.
MAKE MY GIFT
For our ocean,
George Leonard
Chief Scientist
Ocean Conservancy
1300 19th Street NW • 8th Floor • Washington, DC 20036 • 800-519-1541
Ocean Conservancy is a 501(c)3 — Donations are 100% tax-deductible as allowed
by law.
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