Sharkwater Foundation

By Blyth Lawrence Park (Hailey Rolston reported)

Mon., May 10, 2021 | reading time 3 minutes ⏰

Hello blyth community! I am very proud to announce a student-run event hosted by speakers and representatives from the Sharkwater Foundation from the Eco Club.

Megafauna are defined as sea animals that weigh more than 45 kilograms, such as sharks, whales, seals, and turtles. These species play important roles in ecosystems, including consuming large amounts of biomass, transporting nutrients between habitats, connecting Marine ecosystems and physically modifying habitats.

Sharks are too small a threat to humans, according to the World Health Organization. Yet for every person attacked by a shark, nearly two million sharks have been killed by humans. Humans kill 73 million sharks each year, with 25 percent of shark species threatened with extinction.

The results show that if current trends continue, 18 per cent of Marine megafauna species could become extinct in the next 100 years, which means we will lose 11 per cent of our ecological functions. However, if all currently threatened species were to go extinct, we could lose 40 percent of our species and 48 percent of our ecological functions.

If you are interested in involving in this activity! Students will be leading the participants through an interactive online session that will feature: activities and learning modules, a live Q&A session, and a screening of the documentary Sharkwater. The event will take place Thursday May 20th during Period 1 (9:30am). Participants can also dive in and take the #SHARKFREE pledge! If interested, please email Mr. Saklica (t_saklica@blytheducation.com) for more information and to book your spot!