Dr. David McGuire founded Shark Stewards, a nonprofit dedicated to shark conservation. With over 20 years of experience in marine biology and a lifetime as a documentarian, McGuire advocates for sustainable fishing and habitat protection to safeguard sharks and marine ecosystems globally. Through research, education, and policy advocacy, he works tirelessly to address threats like overfishing and the shark fin trade, collaborating with stakeholders to promote ocean health and shark conservation efforts.

David says, “Sharksploitation is rampant and unrelenting. We must figure out ways of marketing positive stories about them that don’t only speak to adolescent audiences… Maybe we just need young people to make documentaries fun, educational, and entertaining for mass audiences!”

Surfers and Australia get the brunt of fatal bites

While it's true that sharks are apex predators and have the potential to pose a threat to humans, it's important to recognize that incidents of shark attacks are relatively rare, and sharks are generally not interested in targeting humans as prey. Most shark species have evolved to prey on marine animals that are part of their natural diet, such as fish, seals, and other marine mammals. Human beings are not typically included in their menu. In fact, many shark species may mistake humans for other marine prey due to their keen sense of smell and electrical sensitivity, resulting in exploratory bites rather than intentional attacks. Most shark encounters occur due to misunderstandings or mistaken identity rather than aggressive intent.

For 400 million years, sharks have patrolled the oceans of our planet. However, due to the ongoing demand for their fins, prized in Asian markets, several species now approach the brink of extinction.

Shark science

These are some of the roles sharks play in the marine life ecosystem:

Top Predators: As apex predators, sharks regulate the populations of species lower down in the food chain. By controlling the abundance of prey species, they help maintain the balance of marine ecosystems and prevent the overpopulation of certain species.

Control of Prey Populations: Sharks help control the populations of prey species, which in turn affects the entire food web. Certain prey species could proliferate without sharks, leading to imbalances in the ecosystem and potentially causing cascading effects on other species.

Healthy Prey Dynamics: Sharks’ presence influences the behavior and distribution of prey species. This can lead to healthier prey populations, as individuals may exhibit increased vigilance and avoid risky areas, thus reducing their vulnerability to predation.

Disease Control: Sharks often target sick, injured, or weak individuals within prey populations. By removing these individuals, sharks help prevent the spread of diseases and maintain the overall health and resilience of marine communities.

Structuring Habitats: Certain shark species, such as reef sharks, play a role in shaping and structuring marine habitats. For example, by hunting on coral reefs, reef sharks can indirectly influence the behavior of prey species and the health of coral reef ecosystems.

Nutrient Cycling: When sharks consume prey, they release nutrients into the ecosystem through waste. This contributes to nutrient cycling in marine environments, which is essential for the productivity and health of various aquatic ecosystems.

Shark finning is the practice of removing the fins from a captured shark and discarding the animal at sea, whether it is still alive or dead. 

This reprehensible act is largely driven by the high value placed on the fin and the low value of shark meat. Sharks captured as bycatch in the tuna and swordfish industry that were once released are now increasingly killed for the fins. The high value and increased market for shark fins is creating a huge incentive for fishermen to take the fins and discard the animal, leaving room in the ship’s hold for the more valuable meat of the tuna or swordfish. Shark finning is wasteful, inhumane, and unsustainable. — Shark Stewards

Wyatt Albert, a field specialist, research technician, and media coordinator at Bimini Shark Lab in the Bahamas, says, “We need more compassionate film and TV programming about sharks; the ocean is an incredible and crucial component of our planet that deserves empathetic filmmaking. I’d hope to see more content that promotes conservancy.”

WildAid public service announcement starring NBA athlete Yao Ming (姚明) addressing shark fin soup.

“In 2016, we conducted a follow-up survey of Chinese residents to measure changes in attitudes and awareness toward shark conservation. The survey found that 93% of respondents had not consumed shark fin in the previous 6 years. Nearly 80% had seen WildAid campaign messages, and 98.8% agreed that the messages successfully raised awareness about shark protection and the need to reject shark fin consumption.” - WildAid

The Florida Museum of Natural History states: “Three fatalities in 2023 occurred at one remote surfing destination off the coast of Southern Australia. The Eyre Peninsula is known for its wild, untamed beaches and phenomenal surf breaks, and despite being challenging to access and navigate, it is an alluring spot for surfers. The region is home to seal colonies and a high density of white sharks.

‘If a white shark is going after a seal and the seal knows it, the white shark hasn't got a chance,’ Naylor said. ‘Seals are really agile, so the only ones that get caught are the ones that are goofing off and flopping around on the surface minding their own business. And that's kind of what a surfer looks like.’” — Phys.org

Both experts endorsed director Louis Psihoyos’ documentary Racing Extinction (2015) for bringing greater awareness to the brutal reality of shark overfishing and finning.