The Great white shark
This fear-inducing fish, the eternal poster shark for the "Jaws" fuelled anti-shark sentiment, the powerful Great white, also known as the 'White shark' is the ocean's top predator.
The White shark is also the largest of predatory fish, growing to lengths of over 6 meters (20 feet).
This shark is found in every ocean on the planet, and can adapt to sub-tropical and temperate waters alike. These sharks are the most feared of all shark species, and their jagged, exposed, multiple rows of teeth are certainly their most threatening feature.
Great whites have about 300 teeth at any given time, while back rows continually develop new teeth to replace ones lost over time. These sharks predate huge mammals such as seals, and they need strong jaws and sharp teeth to consume such large prey!
Despite the widely held belief White sharks are 'man-eating machines' and 'monsters of the sea', they are actually vulnerable, ancient, vital marine creatures, and deserve the respect of man.
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Seeing is believing
Feb 10, 2012
In an effort to take Eco-Odyssey to the streets, and ride the wave of energy rushing over the conservation movement, I made my way to the cities of Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. Excited to assist a talk by Rob Stewart, the man behind the widely popular documentary film, Sharkwater, I sought inspiration in hearing how one individual’s passion could be transformed into a call for all to rise up, speak up, and cherish the world we live in.
Since its release in 2008, the sharky tale has been viewed by millions and is, in my opinion, hugely responsible for igniting a global trend towards raising awareness and creating action in defence of shark populations being decimated around the globe for their fins. Shark fin soup is a traditional Chinese delicacy, historically relished by wealthy emperors and the upper class, but today finding its place in middle class mainstream society as well. With China’s economy experiencing a steady boom over the last few decades, the working class can now proudly step into the former elite-only demographic consuming shark fin soup. The ability to offer a bowl of shark fin soup to guests at a wedding or banquet still holds a historical symbol of affluence, although these days’ restaurants around the world cater to the insatiable popularity of the soup, and it can easily be found in most Chinese restaurants and traditional Chinese supermarkets.
Unfortunately for our friends donning the fins, this has meant fishermen around the globe have been aggressively targeting sharks, and in the past 30 years some species have declined by 90%. Predominantly using the destructive and indiscriminate fishing method of long-lining, fishing fleets can set hundreds of miles of lines with baited hooks, and catch a plethora of sharks, and virtually every other type of marine animal that is attracted to the bait.
Growing up on along Canada’s east coast, my exposure to sharks was limited, minus the occasional fishermen who would display a shark catch at the local marina for locals to shockingly admire or gawk at in fearful disgust. Whether positive or negative, the sight of sharks or even the very thought of this teethy predator leaves most humans feeling uneasy and thankful that we live on land, and them, deep in our world oceans. However, my love for the ocean has been flowing through my body and spirit for as long as I can remember, and when I imagined a shark in the water, I dove into a world of power, grace and agility, and thankfully my curiosity eventually led me to come face to face with sharks. It was one of the best choices I have yet to make, and never looking back to my sharky ignorance, I would rather swim, learn, enjoy, and protect sharks for the rest of my days.
"That’s the magic of sharks; they are not only irreplaceable and indispensable leaders in our oceans, but also powerful creatures capable of moving, challenging, and inspiring us to be bolder and braver people when we step back onto dry land."
My quest to inspire others to feel passion and empathy for our oceans has grown ten fold since I temporarily took up residence in a stunning mountain town in British Columbia, a lengthly three hours from the nearest bit of coast, the mighty Pacific Ocean. Looking around, I dare say few people in the surrounding communities would commonly think about sharks, or their survival in the sea. Although ice fishing dominates the weekend agenda, I ask myself how often the average person might consider the implications of industrial fishing along their own coastlines, or if the countless marine species in British Columbia’s lush waters are doing well at maintaining balance in their vital ecosystems. So, as I dream of returning underwater to dance and play with all the colourful creatures of the blue, I’m hoping to create a connection between the snowy mountains straight down to the luscious ocean that desperately need all of us to be aware of its declining health and the current realities our marine life faces here in the north pacific, all the way to the Great Barrier Reef in sunny Australia.
A recent trip to the coast, although short and sweet, allowed me to refuel and recharge, seep up every ounce of ocean love and sweet salty smells I could, as well as absorb the priceless words of fellow conservationists changing our world for the better, one inspirational mission at a time.
Walking the streets of Chinatown in Vancouver and Victoria, I felt a world away from Canada, and humbled by my own country’s role in sustaining and enabling the dangerous shark finning industry. Shark fins were everywhere. From the tiniest fins of unlucky juvenile sharks, to the biggest, heartbreaking ones stripped from the giant Whale shark, glass jars were stuffed full and priced to profit from this lone body part. My initial feelings of anger and confrontation were appeased (somewhat) when the friendly shopkeepers and bustling Chinese locals smiled and ignorantly purchased their countless marine products, hoping to be cured, detoxified, and purified by dried up former creatures of the sea. I know that initiating change requires educating all types of cultures and individuals, while also lending an ear to the particularly deeply entrenched beliefs of other people. Impulsive reactions and lashing out at consumers of shark fins will take us nowhere near where we need to go. Notwithstanding the ticking time bomb that is shark fisheries today, I believe engaging Chinese, Japanese, Canadians, Australians, etc, into this movement of evolution, revolution and conservation will be achieved by getting together, nice and tight, to form an unbreakable bond capable of unparalleled achievements.
Today, I’m taking steps (although I’d rather leap!) into sharing and educating what I know with those around me, and believing that acting now, in any way possible to power a shark saving, ocean saving, world saving global movement is the most valuable thing I can do with my time.
Our little New Zealand based initiative, Eco-Odyssey, has big visions and dreams for our ocean environment, and from the southern hemisphere to the northern one, each day is one we are dedicated and motivated to activate the environmental spirit in everyone we can reach.
"There has never a more precious time to cherish the ocean, as it is shifted and shaped by humans every hour of every day we walk (or run!) through our busy, bustling lives. It is sometimes hard to stay connected to intangible things like sharks, but it remains paramount we make the effort to remember we are part of a blue world. Without them, there is no us."
Please enjoy the collection of images from Vancouver’s Chinatown. We have no intentions to single out one particular establishment, region, or culture negatively, but rather believe in the importance of seeing the truth, knowing what is occurring on our shores, and making the educated choice to take our power and influence, and put it to great use. You won’t regret it, and our world will thank you.
-MJ Arsenault
Image gallery from our 2012 visit to Vancouver's fin-filled Chinatown
Keen to help conserve our oceans, and sharks!?
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☛ United Conservationist is the new initiative founded by Rob Stewart and Shark Angels' Julie Andersen. It is destined for big things, so join them today!
