Date Taken
Spring 3-19-2023
Category
Anthropogenic Impacts / Conservation
Preview
Description
This photo was taken on March 19th, 2023, in the ocean waters of Jupiter, Florida.
Sharks are being hunted, predators turning into prey. The increase of overfishing in the state of Florida is an issue that is commonly overlooked, and sharks are rapidly running out of food sources. This makes for a hungry and desperate predator. When the sharks begin to go after the catches of fishermen, they are suddenly viewed in a violent and menacing light, being misunderstood by the world above them. In this misunderstanding, comes the effects of a society who is determined to fight back against the sharks. Fishermen who are angry and uneducated on the true behaviors of sharks, host massive shark fishing tournaments where they hunt and kill the sharks they do not understand. This is commonly witnessed in the state of Florida, and conservationists must begin to speak up about this concern.
South Florida is the hotspot for lemon sharks as a breeding ground, and home. Although they can look menacing, lemon sharks are truly the most curious sharks in the sea. These sharks love nose rubs and pets, and never pose a threat. As an avid shark diver, it is easy to see the ways sharks are being impacted by these harmful practices, and this image is an excellent example of a shark I often see on my dives. In this image, you can see a hook in the corner of the lemon shark’s mouth, exemplifying the concern that is overfishing and how it can harm the lifespan of a shark.
Camera Specifications
Olympus TG-6 (Compact)
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Marine Biology
Keywords
Lemon Shark, B&W, Florida, Overfishing
Comments
Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution of this digital object is not permitted without written permission of the photographer.