Discovery Lecture Series: Return of the big marine predators to California waters скачать в хорошем качестве

Discovery Lecture Series: Return of the big marine predators to California waters

Sharks serve as the canaries of the sea with their status reflecting the health of the greater ocean ecosystem. As apex predators, sharks typically have smaller populations and unique life-cycle characteristics that make them extra vulnerable to the consequences of overfishing, habitat-loss and pollution. Since the 1970s, many laws and regulations have been put in place to reduce human impacts and repair damage we have caused to coastal ocean ecosystems. Yet, we’re constantly bombarded with “doom and gloom” messages about the state of the oceans. Are all our efforts paying off? Evidence shows that things might be getting better for marine predators. While it has taken decades, many shark populations are increasing due to better water and air quality, improved fisheries management and restored ecosystems – these improvements have occurred as the number of people living along California’s coast has increased. This is good news for sharks off California, but the difficulties sharks face globally are far more challenging to tackle.