20 ways Sharks help Humans

I always thought sharks were missunderstood creatures and I read this yesterday and thought it was very interesting.

. As the oldest-living vertebrates, sharks may provide information on the origin and evolution of all vertebrate species, including humans.

2. Sharks affect shellfish-population counts, since many consume skates, rays, and other predators of scallops, crabs, lobsters, and more. When sharks decline, shellfish that many humans like to eat start to disappear, too.

3. Sharks rigged with cameras have provided important data on dangerous underwater sites, such as a Pacific Ocean nuclear-test site where sharks were deployed in 2003.

4. Sharks possess a highly developed immune system, with few species suffering from cancer and other disorders. If researchers can unlock its key processes, sharks may one day lead to preventative treatments, or even cures, for some of our most deadly diseases.

5. Shark fins and hammerhead shark noses have inspired high-tech adaptations to airline wings and jet bodies. The Langley Research Center has extensively studied sharks, along with whales and seagulls, for their potential design applications.

6. Certain sharks, such as the basking shark, are filter feeders that consume large quantities of zooplankton, such as copepods and krill. Some experts believe this helps to “clean” the water and may prevent red tide and other harmful algal blooms.

7. Shark blood contains special anticlotting compounds that scientists are studying for possible human heart-disease applications.

8. Sharks have the greatest electrical sensitivity of any creature on Earth. Since detection of magnetic fields can help with orientation and navigation, future research on shark electroreceptor organs may one day lead to better navigation systems in cars, planes, and ships.

9. Analysis of sharks, particularly the dogfish, has taught many researchers and students about fish biology.


10. Ecotourism, with sharks serving as a primary attraction, has improved local economies in many places throughout the world, such as in parts of the Philippines and Belize.

11. Sharks and humans once shared a common ancestor, so our tissues are not all that dissimilar. Optometric researchers are investigating the shark cornea, which may one day be used for human transplants.

12. In 2005, Mercedes-Benz modeled a “bionic car” after a tropical fish called the boxfish and other fish, including sharks. Its streamlined shape made the car one of the most aerodynamically efficient vehicles for its size.


13. Sharks always draw a crowd when they are safely contained in aquarium exhibits. While such displays remain controversial, they have earned millions of dollars, with some of the monies going to shark-conservation projects.

14. Many sharks are scavengers that consume dead and dying animals and plants. They help to rid the oceans of rotting carcasses and related waste materials.

15. Squalamine, a chemical extracted from dogfish, appears to kill bacterial microbes and removes potential tumor cells. This natural compound may one day be incorporated into treatments for human infections and disease.


16. Shark teeth, with their variety of different shapes, sizes, and cutting surfaces, are a marvel of nature. They may have inspired early human tools, some of which incorporated actual shark teeth, skin or both into the objects.

17. Sharks possess remarkable senses that enable many species to see in near darkness, smell from long distances, feel distant vibrations and more. Analysis of these abilities may one day give humans similar abilities through devices modeled after shark senses.

18. Recent studies indicate that sharks are highly intelligent, with advanced problem-solving skills, social complexity, and a natural sense of curiosity. Using neuronal activity-detecting devices, scientists have developed rudimentary ways of reading animal thoughts and feelings. In the future, we may better understand ourselves by learning how other intelligent creatures view us.

19. Some sharks, such as the spiny dogfish, never seem to go into a full sleep, since they can continue to swim while “sleeping.” Researchers continue to study sharks in hopes of learning more about what occurs in the brain during sleep modes, which may lead to treatments for human sleep disorders.

20. Researchers are experimenting with a new boat-surface coating based on shark scales. Due to their base shape, size, and bristles, scales help to prevent algae and other things from sticking to sharks, a quality designers hope to impart to ships.



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I love sharks (and most marine and freshwater creatures).

Sharks also help humans in providing for bad horror movie content.

 

One of the surest ways to destroy a marine ecosystem (most especially including coral reefs): remove the sharks and other top predators.

 

wow. i knew sharks were useful but i didnt think they were that useful

 

haha!

 

Autentique:
My understanding is that sharks are stupid animals that will eat completely inedible objects such as licence plates or a moving boat propeller. They will also eat each other if you get them excited. There was an experiment on a Pacific reef where a tape/amplifier was lowered into a tidal channel and amplified sounds of struggling fish were played. The sharks started eating each other until the human observer got sick of it and turned the machine off.
They also get excited and go into feeding frenzies on people around sinking ships during wartime, when there's plenty of blood in the water.

Meeting a large shark in the water can only be dealt with by escape if possible, or the use of a shark billy (with deployable steel spikes) or a shotgun-shell tipped underwater gun to blow his brains out before he sinks his teeth into you.

Sharks are revolting animals that are stupider on the average than crocodiles and other reptiles. Go to an aquarium and try looking one in the eye as it swims by. You will find nothing looking back, except a feeble awareness behind a terrifying mouth.

Personally I have no use for the bastards.

 

ok

 

Great stuff! They are world's top predator but they are not our enemy.

 

Go sharks!

 

i watched a documentary on sharks the other day, without them the ecosystems of the ocean will collapse, they are a vital part of keeping the oceans healthy.

and they are incredible animals.

 

Great stuff. Notice how man is learning so much from them. It is the same of all animals/insects. All are wonderful creations that make mans creations pale in comparison.

 

thats amazing
every creature helps our balance

 

We are the world's top predator.

 

If we threw Bush and Cheney into a shark tank, that would give the sharks an opportunity to provide service.

 

I just read today in my science text book that you are 30 times more likely to get struck by lightning than to get attacked by a shark. I also read that for every shark that kills or injures a person, we kill at least 1 million sharks. Thats so sad....

 

LOL!

I think we could learn a lot from so many creatures if we learn to appreciate them and their purpose for creation.

 

Also, sharks are fucking badass