The problem: Over 100 million sharks are killed yearly; shark populations have declined by 70% over the past 50 years and continue to decline worldwide. They face numerous threats such as overfishing, being caught as bycatch, finning, habitat loss, and more. Sharks reproduce slowly, and shark killing tournaments target the biggest sharks, which happen to be the females, and it is not uncommon for pregnant sharks to be killed. 

Why are sharks important to the ecosystem: Many of the fisherman that participate in shark killing tournaments believe that “A dead shark is a good shark.” Sharks are not competition. An increase in shark populations will not result in a decrease of fish populations. As apex predators, sharks shift their prey’s spatial habitat, which alters the feeding behavior and diets of other species, impacting predatory fish and herbivorous fish, which in turn affects coral reefs and sea grass beds. In the absence of sharks, underwater ecosystems collapse.

Sharks and Florida Ecotourism: Sharks are not only important to Florida’s marine ecosystem, they are also important to Florida’s economy. Global shark tourism is a rapidly growing industry. A 2017 independent report commissioned by Oceana found that in Florida alone, direct expenditures by divers such as boat rentals, food and lodging for shark- encounter dives totaled roughly $221 million and fueled over 3,700 jobs in 2016. 

Please help stop senseless killing of sharks. Sharks are not mindless man eating machines and they need our protection now! Please help make shark killing illegal in Florida! Sign the petition and call/email Governor Ron Desantis.

Phone Number: (850) 717-9337

Email: Governorron.desantis@eog.myflorida.com