Aug 8 2011, 12:00 AM

Shark Week 2011

I dont know, this year's shark week is not going to do any favors for our toothy friends. We love sharks, we want to help protect them and make sure they are not slaughtered for their fins. We also want the public to know that sharks are not the mindless eating machines the media makes them out to be. So how can Shark Week be good for sharks? 

I have witnessed a few events over the past month that has alarmed me greatly. Both events occurred off the waters here in Miami. First, was a fishing tournament for a local institution. A group of Miami Bankers were originally fishing for Mahi Mahi when they spotted a massive dorsal fin off their bow. That dorsal fin belonged to an epic Mako shark. One for the ages, a majestic creature that has been plying the waters for decades. Well that Mako made a bad decision to go for the bait that day and struggled for hours as he tried fruitlessly to save himself. I am not mad for catching this fish or at the sport of fishing. But what occurred next is what needs to change. Once the shark was brought back to the boat, he was gaffed repeatedly in the mouth and gills and dragged on board for picture taking and bravado. Why not release him? Why not take some pictures of this King while he is next to the boat, then cut the line, and let him survive. He was 12 feet long and well over 1200 pounds. This was not a proper ending for an old soul of the sea.

Not too long after that, an amazing thresher shark was caught off Miami. Again, this fish recieved the same fate. Shark meat is not commerical or that good in fact. They are threatended and overfished, we need to give sharks a break. Marlin are catch and release, sharks should be too. 

And now back to shark week. The reason these two events occurred is because we as a society still view the shark as a menacing character. A potential man-eater that threatens our safety. Perceptions need to change and shark week is the biggest platform that sharks have. It is viewed by millions around the globe. Discovery wants ratings, I get it...... making the shark look sinister and having their hosts in the water with them is great TV. But are they doing sharks any favors? Hell no... they are perpetuating this fear that sharks are evil. The opposite is true, sharks are smart, curious, social animals that clean our seas. They are a vital cog in their ecosystem. Discovery should use their reach on Shark Week to bring awareness to overfishing, epsecially the insatiable appetite for shark fin soup in Asia. Millions of sharks die each year for this appetite. They say shark fin soup increases the libido. Well take some viagra then and leave the sharks alone! 

I am not particulary comfortable in the role as advocate or preacher. But sharks are getting a raw deal. They are amazing, awe-inspiring, and at risk. Discovery and people in genreral need to help them by discussing their attributes and talking about why they are at risk. They need a new PR agency because their current one (Discovery) is screwing them.