Shark Talk - Shark Trust x Blue Planet Aquarium

SHARK TALK

THE DIGITAL MINI-ZINE FROM THE SHARK TRUST

© Serena Stean

We work to safeguard a future for sharks. skates, rays and chimaera (hereon ‘sharks’). For 25 years we have worked at the forefront of shark conservation. Working on policy, fisheries management and lobbying. We are UK-based but globally active. Working with stakeholders, collaborators and partners across the world.

SOME OF OUR PROJECTS

Our biggest campaign yet needs you! By adding your voice we can build one of the biggest campaigning communities in the history of shark conservation. To put pressure on governments and fisheries. And make the positive changes required to safeguard these awesome sharks.

BIG SHARK Pledge

THE POSITION OF THEIR EYES ENABLES THEM TO SEE 360°.

GREAT HAMMERHEAD

This creature feature is a classic shark – the Great Hammerhead. Known for their distinct silhouette, the Great Hammerhead is the largest species of hammerhead on the planet.

With a distinct notch on the centre of their head, the Great Hammerhead is light grey or brown above and white below. Reaching a maximum size of around six metres, this is a big shark. There are nine species of hammerhead. Identifying them often relies on looking at head shape. The Great Hammerhead has a much straighter front edge compared to the Scalloped and Smooth Hammerheads.

The unique hammer-shaped head (a.k.a. cephlafoil) improves their manoeuvrability. As the position of their eyes enable them to see 360°. And enhances their ability to detect electrical currents, a sixth sense that all sharks have. Sharks have lots of tiny pores covering their head and snout, called ampullae of Lorenzini. These are extremely sensitive and can detect even the faintest of electrical fields. Including those generated by the Earth’s geomagnetic field, or muscle contractions in prey. The broad flat head of a hammerhead provides a much larger surface area for these pores. Which is why they’re so good at finding prey - such as stingrays - completely buried beneath the sand.

We’re always producing new content for our socials and YouTube channel. Check out the video below for a taster of our content! Click the icons above to go to our socials.

We are delighted to collaborate with Blue Planet Aquarium. Producing bespoke information panels and working together to educate visitors about shark and marine conservation. Find out more about Blue Planet Aquarium below.

WHAT IS AN EGGCASE?

Some sharks, and all true skates, reproduce by laying eggs. These are surrounded by a tough leathery capsule that protects the embryo as it develops inside. After several months these are ready to hatch, and a fully-formed shark or skate will emerge. Once empty, the eggcases (or mermaid’s purses) often wash up on the beach. One of the best places to find them is among the strandline, where the seaweed washes up. The eggcases of different species vary. So, by looking at the size, shape and features, we can tell which species laid it. You can learn to identify eggcases too. We’ll show you how!

THE PROJECT

The Great Eggcase Hunt began in 2003 following a chance find on a beach in Devon. The project quickly developed with the aim of getting as many people as possible out hunting for eggcases and recording their finds.

Empty eggcases can help indicate species presence and diversity. By recording your finds, you’re helping us to discover more about egglaying species in our waters.

Eggcases wash up all year round. So, whatever the time of year keep your eyes peeled!

Become a community scientist by joining the Great Eggcase Hunt!

INVOLVED WITH OUR CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS BY DOWNLOADING OUR APP!

The brand-new Shark Trust app is the perfect companion for beach walks, dives or boat trips. It’s the easiest way to get involved with all of our citizen science projects. And a great way to connect with nature in your local area!

You can record and ID eggcase as part of our Great Eggcase Hunt. Or record all the sharks, rays and skates you see on a dive.

All the while adding valuable data to Shark Log - the shark sightings database.

TAKE PART IN OUR CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS

The Shark Trust are committed to educating and inspiring through entertaining and engaging ways. As such, we regularly run our online and in-person Shark Heads. An interactive quiz show that tests players on all things shark!

We’ve put together highlights of some of the best questions, tasks and activities from Shark Heads! So get your thinking-caps on and see how well you know sharks!

SHARK HE DS

EMOJI CODE BREAKER

Can you guess the species of Shark and Ray based on the emojis?

Thresher Sharks uses their tails to stun prey whilst hunting.

Dolphins and Sharks are related.

The Whale Shark is the biggest fish on the planet.

The White Shark is the fastest shark on the planet.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO MORE FOR SHARKS & BE PART OF PROTECTING THEM?

Perhaps you could take part in a fundraising event, or if that’s not your thing you could consider leaving a legacy in your will. Or simply you could set up a regular donation. All these things big or small help hugely, enabling you to be part of making a difference and standing up for sharks.

By protecting sharks, it also helps to restore ocean health. Priceless for us all.

ONE-THIRD OF ALL SHARKS, SKATES, RAYS AND CHIMAERAS ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION DUE TO OVERFISHING

Of 1,199 species assessed in 2021, 391 (32.6%) are threatened. This highlights a significant increase since the last global assessment conducted in 2014 - where of 1,041 species assessed, only 181 (24%) were threatened with extinction.

Threatened Classes

The findings show a significant increase since the last global assessment (which was conducted in 2014), which estimated that 24% were threatened with extinction. Advancements in data collection have helped to uncover that the estimates are now significantly higher, and have helped to highlight the main threats. Overfishing fishing is the universal threat affecting all 391 threatened species. Other threats include: loss and degradation of habitat, climate change and pollution. They make for a sobering read, but we can halt the decline of these species. Using science-based limits on fishing, effective marine protected areas, and approaches that reduce or eliminate fishing mortality. If implemented soon, these will minimise mortality of threatened species and ensure the sustainable catch and trade of others.

Oceanic 31 is an exciting art project from Shark Trust.

We are bringing together 31 artists from a variety of backgrounds who are passionate about wildlife, conservation, and using art as a tool for positive change. The artists have kindly agreed to donate the pieces to our cause. Each artist has focused on one species of Oceanic Shark or Ray. In Summer 2023 the exhibition will go on tour. Click below to find out more about Oceanic 31!

Rachel Brooks

Matt Sewell

ATM

Sharks are predators, but their relationships with different species can go far beyond predator-prey interactions. In fact, sharks have thriving relationships with a host of species... some are beneficial to the shark and some, not so much. These relationships are known as symbiosis.

Symbiosis (from the Greek for “living together”) is any type of long-term interaction between two different organisms. It can be mutualistic (benefiting both organisms), commensalistic (benefits one organism but doesn’t affect the other) or parasitic (benefits one organism whilst harming the other). Sometimes symbiosis is obligatory, meaning an organism is dependent on the other for survival. Other times it’s optional when they can live independently.

Sharks have a few different symbiotic relationships. Let’s take a look at one of the most common.

REMORAS

Remoras are pretty hard to ignore. When watching footage or seeing photos you’d be hard pressed to miss the fish often attached sharks and rays. Growing between 30cm and 110cm (12-43 inches), depending on the species, remoras form a mutually beneficial relationship with sharks and rays.

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE

© John Bantin

EMOJI CODEBREAKER

1. Lantern Shark

2. Horn Shark

3. Tiger Shark

4. Lemon Shark

5. Cownose Ray

6. Basking Shark

TRUE OR FALSE

1. TRUE

Thresher Sharks are capable of whipping their tail at over 30mph!

2. FALSE

Sharks are fish, whilst dolphins are mammals.

3. TRUE

The biggest ever recorded was 18.8m (61 feet)!

4. FALSE

The fastest is the Shortfin Mako Shark, reaching speeds of up to 36mph!

SHORTFIN MAKO IS THE FASTEST SHARK ON THE PLANET

BECOME A MEMBER

Passionate about sharks? Want to help us conserve sharks for future generations? Become a member today and add your voice to our ever-growing community. Let’s work together and help sharks around the world!

FROM JUST £3 A MONTH YOU’LL RECEIVE:

A WELCOME PACK

Introducing you to the Shark Trust and all our work, which your membership helps to fund.

SHARK FOCUS MAGAZINE

Enter the fascinating world of sharks! This magazine is exclusive to Shark Trust members. Bringing you all the latest news in shark science,

conservation and discoveries. Issued twice a year (summer and winter).

BE PART OF A THRIVING SHARK COMMUNITY

Those who love sharks and care about the health of our oceans. Together let’s make our voice heard.

OUR PUP’S CLUB MEMBERSHIP FOR CHILDREN COMES WITH AN A4 SHARK FOLDER FULL OF SHARKY GOODIES, INCLUDING:

• Membership Card & Certificate

• Welcome leaflet with message from Steve

Backshall

• Activity Booklet

• A-Z of Sharks - a little book of poems

• Posters of A-Z of Sharks and Shark Anatomy

• Pups Club Sticker

• Shark Focus magazine

© Frogfish Photography