Shark Conservation and Ecosystem Roles

Sharks have been crucial to ocean health for over 400 million years, acting as apex predators that maintain ecosystem balance. They dominate pristine ecosystems, but human activities like overfishing threaten their existence. Marine protected areas offer a solution by safeguarding biodiversity and providing safe havens for sharks.

How long have sharks been vital to the health of our oceans?

• 200 million years

• 400 million years

• 600 million years

• 800 million years

What role do sharks play in the ocean ecosystem?

• Decomposers

• Herbivores

• Apex predators

• Primary producers

In pristine ecosystems, what is unique about the biomass pyramid?

• No predators

• More predators than prey

• Equal number of prey and predators

• More prey than predators

What is the biggest threat to sharks today?

• Pollution

• Overfishing

• Habitat loss

• Climate change

What luxury item is often made from sharks?

• Shark skin shoes

• Shark tooth jewelry

• Shark fin soup

• Shark leather bags

What percentage of large marine animals have been fished?

• 50%

• 100%

• 90%

• 70%

What could happen to marine ecosystems without apex predators like sharks?

• They could thrive

• They could become more diverse

• They could remain unchanged

• They could collapse

What is a proven solution to protect sharks and marine biodiversity?

• Building more aquariums

• Increased fishing

• Marine protected areas

• Introducing new predators

What activities are prohibited in marine protected areas?

• Research and exploration

• Fishing and other damaging activities

• Swimming and diving

• Boating and sailing

Why is it easier to protect a healthy place than to fix a broken one?

• Less effort is required

• It costs less money

• Healthy places have more resources

• Healthy places require fewer regulations