The future of marine life as we know it could be in serious danger. Hammerhead sharks have begun washing up along the Florida coastline, including the most recent discovery on Indian Harbour Beach. The beach is located in Brevard County, part of the Sunshine State’s Space Coast area.
Though sharks are one of the ocean’s fiercest predators, they too face threats. Each part of the ocean plays an important part in the ecosystem. Now, scientists are racing against the clock to save sharks and uncover the cause behind their mass deaths before it’s too late.
Experts Advocate for the Hammerhead Sharks
Any unexpected loss of wildlife is heartbreaking. But so many shark deaths in such a short amount of time is certainly cause for concern. Now, scientists are doing everything in their power to learn more about the shark deaths.
“This is a really important thing because they are critically endangered,” Joel Cohen with the Blue World Research Institute told the Fox affiliate in Orlando.
The outlet reports that no fewer than 13 dead sharks were found on Florida’s east coast beaches this year. The hammerhead at Indian Harbour Beach was the most recent. However, scientists aren’t sure exactly how many sharks are dying or what’s causing the problem.
While experts are still trying to get to the root of the tragic deaths, extreme stress can ultimately play a role in a shark’s passing.
“They are actually really well adapted to their environment and so conversely, if you mess with them at all, they tend to stress out,” Toby Daly-Engel, shark expert and researcher at Florida Tech, told the outlet.
The Marine Animals Are Becoming Increasingly Endangered
“World of Sharks” reports that “31.2% of all species assessed are threatened with extinction.” If the situation doesn’t improve, that statistic will only grow. The outlet notes that human activities, including overfishing, have played a detrimental role in sharks’ overall survival. Ultimately, humans are fishing the marine animals faster than they can reproduce.
In order to get to the bottom of their untimely deaths and overall decline, researchers need to study the deceased specimens.
Experts encourage the public to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline (888-404-3922) if they see a dead shark so a team can assess the situation and collect proper data. Their findings could help save the lives of sharks in the future, stabilizing the ocean’s ecosystem.
Dead Hammerhead Sharks Wash Ashore on Florida’s Space Coast