The Plight of the Angel Sharks: What Humans Can Do?
The family Squatinidae consists of angel sharks extinct practically more than three decades after a manufacturer found commercial use for it in the late 1970s. This family of sharks is flattened and ray-like. Prior to 1978, their habitats are the shallow coastal waters of the tropical and warm temperate areas. Geographically, these sharks are found widespread in European waters prior to their extinction or decline due to fishing that originated in California. They feed on bony fish, crustaceans and mollusks.
The International Union for the conservation of Nature (IUCN) tagged sharks extinct, vulnerable, or critically endangered species. They are extinct in the North Sea. Since then, the species have been protected to prevent total extinction.
Physical Description
Angel sharks, as earlier mentioned, are more like rays than sharks. Its flat body connects its ray-like features in its head with the more shark-like characteristics at its tail. It has a circular head that is broader than its body. Its mouth is wider and is located at the extremity of the head. The adult shark has more teeth than younger sharks. Its fins are large and wide, where the fins resemble wings. Thus, the name angel sharks.
Rise to Prominence
Prior to 1978, angel sharks, particularly the Pacific angel shark species were considered as trash fish as it was thought that it had no commercial value. Following the discovery of Michael Wagner, this species was swiftly elevated as the most sought after fish and the principal food shark in southern California. In the mid-1980s, angel shark eclipsed the status of the thresher shark as a food shark.
A Vanishing Species
Fishing of angel sharks has been prohibited since the early 1990s. However, fishing is not the only reason for the near extinction of the shark. There are other threats to its existence.
Like the typical shark, angel sharks are bottom dwellers. As such they tend to be caught in trawls. Even if trawling methods have improved, this shark species are also under threat of being caught on trammel nets and long lines. Apart from fishing, angel sharks are endangered because their habitats are destroyed by the indiscriminate and careless human activity. Tourism is also being blamed for the destruction of their natural habitat.
Although considered as marine predators, it is not good for nature to experience the shark extinction. Their existence is necessary to maintain balance in marine life and to regulate the waters. When the top level of the food chain disappears, many other species may face extinction. The ecosystem will not be the same without the angel sharks.
Sharks are portrayed as vicious predators in film. They are feared by humans and slaughtered by film heroes to protect human life and keep the waters safe. In real life, however, sharks provide a third of the world's food supply, keep the balance of nature, and need to be saved from destructive human activities.
People applauded the electrocution of a great white shark to protect humans in "Jaws". However, sharks are actually a big factor in preserving life in the ecosystem. Humans are in the best position to preserve whatever is left of the angel sharks and the other endangered marine life, for the sake of the earth where people and animals are supposed to co-exist.
The International Union for the conservation of Nature (IUCN) tagged sharks extinct, vulnerable, or critically endangered species. They are extinct in the North Sea. Since then, the species have been protected to prevent total extinction.
Physical Description
Angel sharks, as earlier mentioned, are more like rays than sharks. Its flat body connects its ray-like features in its head with the more shark-like characteristics at its tail. It has a circular head that is broader than its body. Its mouth is wider and is located at the extremity of the head. The adult shark has more teeth than younger sharks. Its fins are large and wide, where the fins resemble wings. Thus, the name angel sharks.
Rise to Prominence
Prior to 1978, angel sharks, particularly the Pacific angel shark species were considered as trash fish as it was thought that it had no commercial value. Following the discovery of Michael Wagner, this species was swiftly elevated as the most sought after fish and the principal food shark in southern California. In the mid-1980s, angel shark eclipsed the status of the thresher shark as a food shark.
A Vanishing Species
Fishing of angel sharks has been prohibited since the early 1990s. However, fishing is not the only reason for the near extinction of the shark. There are other threats to its existence.
Like the typical shark, angel sharks are bottom dwellers. As such they tend to be caught in trawls. Even if trawling methods have improved, this shark species are also under threat of being caught on trammel nets and long lines. Apart from fishing, angel sharks are endangered because their habitats are destroyed by the indiscriminate and careless human activity. Tourism is also being blamed for the destruction of their natural habitat.
Although considered as marine predators, it is not good for nature to experience the shark extinction. Their existence is necessary to maintain balance in marine life and to regulate the waters. When the top level of the food chain disappears, many other species may face extinction. The ecosystem will not be the same without the angel sharks.
Sharks are portrayed as vicious predators in film. They are feared by humans and slaughtered by film heroes to protect human life and keep the waters safe. In real life, however, sharks provide a third of the world's food supply, keep the balance of nature, and need to be saved from destructive human activities.
People applauded the electrocution of a great white shark to protect humans in "Jaws". However, sharks are actually a big factor in preserving life in the ecosystem. Humans are in the best position to preserve whatever is left of the angel sharks and the other endangered marine life, for the sake of the earth where people and animals are supposed to co-exist.
