Our year 8 students recently attended a talk from Shark Guardians, an organisation working to protect Thailand’s 76 species of sharks from a range of threats, including shark finning, use in cosmetics (Squalene), and marine pollution.The session focused on the role sharks play as natural predators within marine ecosystems. Students learned how sharks help maintain balance in the ocean by regulating food chains and supporting healthy ecosystems. Students were introduced to the physiology and characteristics of different species, from the whale shark to the black-tip reef shark, and explored how each species is adapted to its environment. The talk also highlighted the scale of human impact on shark populations. It is estimated that around one million sharks are killed each year for shark fin soup, with much of the meat often discarded. Students also discussed how sharks are often portrayed negatively in the media, despite posing very little risk to humans. In fact, more people are killed each year by everyday objects, including the humble toaster (up to 700), than by sharks (<10). This session will form part of our learning on coastal ecosystems in Term 3, helping students build a deeper understanding of human impacts on marine environments. You can learn more about the organisation at www.sharkguardians.org.
