Shark Awareness Day in U.S. 2023: Date, History, Facts about Shark

The 14th of July is Shark Awareness Day, which honours the awe-inspiring marine animals that have had a negative reputation for quite some time. The depiction of sharks in films and cartoons places them at the top of the list when one considers the hazards of the ocean. However, Shark Awareness Day is not a day to protest against these harmless species; rather, it is a day to protest FOR them. Strong and exceptionally resilient predators are actually more afraid of humans than humans are of them. It is more likely to be struck by lightning than to be slain or attacked by a shark. As a result of being slain because humans are afraid of them and their meat and fins being harvested, sharks have been added to the list of endangered species, which is bad news for them and the environment.

The background of Shark Awareness Day

The origins of Shark Awareness Day appear to be in the United States, but the day’s aims of raising awareness for these marine creatures are universal. As with fish, sharks are so ancient that numerous scientists refer to them as ‘living fossils.’ In fact, sharks are older than both vegetation and dinosaurs, the latter of which only roamed the planet 230 million years ago. In contrast, sharks have existed on Earth for more than 420 million years. Additionally, they have survived five cataclysmic extinctions. They belong to the cartilaginous group of fish because the majority of their skeleton is composed of cartilage, with the exception of their teeth, which are firm, sharp, and robust to capture and digest their food. Their streamlined bodies aid in their swimming agility. Additionally, sharks typically have five or six slits on their flanks and unattached pectoral fins.

Numerous factors have contributed to a decline in shark populations over the years. All over the world, they have been hunted for their skin, flesh, and fins. This exploitation has prompted numerous shark organisations to lobby for the prohibition of the shark meat trade. In spite of this, numerous fishing companies continue to acquire sharks for their own financial gain, ignoring the laws and protocols. Moreover, the frightening and dangerous image of sharks created by popular culture has resulted in many unnecessary shark deaths. Since 1970, studies and research indicate that the shark population has decreased exponentially by 71%. This is alarming because a shark population decline can have devastating effects on the environment. Sharks maintain ocean health by keeping the population of other marine organisms in check. For instance, predators prey upon sea turtles, which consume seagrass, which is essential for carbon storage. If the sea turtle population grows, the carbon stores and, by extension, the environment are at risk.

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5 SHARK FACTS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

With seven rows of teeth, sharks lose approximately 30,000 teeth over the course of their lifespan, which explains why there are so many shark teeth on the ocean floor.

Sharks that inhabit the deepest parts of the ocean typically have larger pupils for enhanced vision.

These teeth, known as dermal denticles, allow sharks to swim significantly quicker.

There are sharks whose pregnancies can last up to four years.

Sharks have extraordinary hearing, as they can detect even the smallest of disturbances up to one kilometre away.

SHARK AWARENESS DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	July 14	Friday
2024	July 14	Sunday
2025	July 14	Monday
2026	July 14	Tuesday
2027	July 14	Wednesday