Sharks, generally feared by most ocean-goers, are hunted and killed by some because they are seen as killers. But are sharks wholly misunderstood? SharkFest and Shark Week bring to light some amazing research that is being done to better understand sharks of varying species. What makes them tick? Are they attacking humans because of faulty genetics? Are they just overly curious and go too far? Both of these programs do an amazing job of presenting to the public the importance of sharks in the worldwide ecosystem.
Sharks are apex predators that help keep the marine food web in check, or balanced. They are a keystone species that have a large effect on their ecosystems, and without them, ecosystems would change and possibly disappear.
According to the Save Our Seas Foundation, there are over 500 species of sharks around the world. While some are top predators, others clean up after other organisms. Their feeding habits influence prey population numbers as well as the distribution of prey (their prey will select a habitat hoping to not be eaten). A great example of this is when sea turtles inhabit seagrass beds to avoid tiger sharks. If the tiger sharks were killed off, the sea turtle population may grow, causing the seagrass to be depleted (read more about the importance of seagrass here). It's a fine balance. Because of their migrations and diving behavior, they also aid in circulating nutrients in the ocean, which aids other organisms in their growth. Every year, as many as 100 million sharks may be killed as bycatch in commercial fisheries, and they are caught quicker than they can reproduce. Overfishing, climate change and habitat loss have caused many shark populations to decline by over 90%. Shows like SharkFest and Shark Week are vital to educating the public on the importance of sharks for the world.
So, what can you do to ensure the health of sharks?
Avoid shark products (a single shark may be worth over $1 million annually through tourism, but only $100 if it is fished for its meat; if you buy shark meat, you are telling fishermen to continue to kill sharks).
If you go on vacation, use a reputable tourist guide to do a diving tour with you.
You can learn more about shark products here.
Here you can find a list of shark-friendly beauty products.
This year is the 35th anniversary for Shark Week, which airs on Discovery Channel. Originally premiering on July 17th, 1988, Shark Week featured programming based solely around sharks, and was originally begun with the goal of promoting shark conservation and correcting misconceptions and false information regarding sharks. Since its inception, it has become the longest-running cable television program in history, shared in over 70 countries, and with a viewing audience of nearly 35 million views worldwide. In 2012, a competitor arose, featured on National Geographic: SharkFest, which runs for four weeks while Shark Week runs just about a week.
Both specials have had losses in audience viewership since 2020 when Covid hit the United States. The specials play one after the other, some featuring terminology that the audience may have a harder time grasping, but overall, audiences seem to have less in the way of attention for the shows. Both shows utilize social media marketing, and use beautiful imagery across the board. Both networks will also utilize celebrity guests or hosts. This year, Shark Week features Jason Momoa, who supposedly begged Discovery to let him host for them as he has been a long-time viewer and deeply loves the ocean. Fun fact, he actually studied marine and wildlife biology in college before pursuing acting!
SharkFest premiered this year on July 2nd and will run for four weeks. You can watch SharkFest currently via Disney+, Youtube Live, National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo Mundo, FuboTV, Hulu, and ESPN2 through the end of the month. It is important to note that only Disney+ and Hulu will stream every premiere as they are rolled out throughout the month. Disney Channel, Disney XD and others will share only some content during certain weeks that is more kid-centric.
Some shows on SharkFest include:
Sharkano: Hawaii (find out why sharks are drawn to Hawaii's volcanoes)
When Sharks Attack... And Why (8-episode series; studying shark attacks)
Return of the White Shark (Great Whites are showing up in Cape Cod)
Sharks vs. Dolphins: Bahamas Battleground (What sharks are attacking dolphins?)
Shark Below Zero (sharks have been spotted farther north than normal, why?)
Bull Shark vs. Hammerhead (in Florida, a bull shark attacking a hammerhead is caught on video)
Head to the SharkFest website to see the schedule, or reference this site for when things are aired on different stations.
This year Shark Week, starting on July 23rd at 8 pm EST/PST and concluding on July 29th, will have almost 20 hours of brand new programming as Momoa introduces each night, focusing on one researcher at a time.
Some shows on Shark Week will include:
Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy (researchers in a whale decoy brave a shark-feeding frenzy)
Jaws vs. The Meg (did the Great White Shark cause the extinction of the Meg?)
Serial Killer: Red Sea Feeding Frenzy (studies of three recent deadly shark attacks near the Red Sea)
Raiders of the Lost Shark (attempt to find the elusive and colossal shark, Dutchess)
Monster Hammerheads: Killer Instinct (collecting tissue samples to see if Hammerheads hunt other sharks)
Florida Shark: Blood in the Water (studying what makes the waters dangerous and how to mitigate risk)
Head to the Shark Week website to see the schedule.
You can watch Shark Week starting July 23rd at 8 pm EST/PST on Discovery Channel each night. You can also watch on Max (previously HBO Max), and some shows will air on TBS, TNT, truTV, TLS, Food Network, HGTV, CNN, Travel Channel, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, Science Channel, ID, and TCM through July 29th.
Do you enjoy SharkFest and Shark Week and want to make sure that the study of sharks continues? National Geographic funds scientists and storytellers around the world, allowing them to learn how to better protect these gorgeous animals. You can join the National Geographic Society here.
Remember, the fish you purchase, the makeup you wear and more, make a difference in the lives of sharks and in the grand scheme of world health.
Go make waves!