Thailand’s Endangered Sharks
Thailand is home to a number of endangered, threatened and near-threatened marine life and it is extremely important to promote awareness and the protection of these animals.
When scuba diving, the most popular animals that people often hope to see are sharks and turtles, but unfortunately numbers have been decreasing drastically over the years.
I’d like to shed some light on these endangered species in Thailand and so in today’s blog, we will be focusing on sharks!
Why Are Sharks So Important?
Sharks are apex predators and they play a very important role within the ecosystem. Being top of the marine food chain, they regulate the population of species below them and if sharks were to disappear, then so would many other species.
Their primary source of food is fish, crustaceans, molluscs, krill, marine mammals and other sharks. They help to weed out the sick and the weak which aids in keeping the balance of the ecosystem, ensuring proper proportion.
Endangered Sharks in Thailand
Whale Shark (Rhincodon Typus)
These gentle giants get their name due to their large size, much like several species of whale. They are the largest fish in the ocean and can reach lengths of up to 12 metres long, however, the average size often seen is usually 4-5 metres long.
Light coloured stripes and spots adorn their bodies, each one unique, much like the fingerprints on a human.
These magnificent creatures are filter feeders, using their 300 odd rows of small teeth in their large open mouths to scoop up plankton and various vegetation as they swim.
They pose absolutely no threat to humans whatsoever and have been known to avoid all human interaction when frightened.
Unfortunately, the Whale Shark is listed as endangered due to being hunted for the oil in their livers which is used to waterproof boats and for their meat which is a popular Asian delicacy.
Leopard Shark (Triakis) / Zebra Shark
As juveniles, these nocturnal creatures have stripes atop their bodies, which is the reason for their less commonly used name, ‘Zebra Shark’. As they grow to adulthood, the stripes become spots, much like a leopard’s. Along with their grey and sandy body colour, they are mostly recognised for their three-pointed teeth.
Leopard Sharks are the largest egg-laying shark in the ocean, growing no bigger than 1.5metres with a lifespan of up to 25-35 years.
These sharks are docile during the day and can often be found resting on the seabed, feeding on living invertebrates. They are harmless to humans but can be skittish when frightened.
Unfortunately, the Leopard Shark is vulnerable to extinction due to high fishing pressure throughout Asia.
Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus Limbatu)
Instantly recognisable by their black-tipped snouts and dorsal fins, these sharks have the traditional, sleek and slender form that a typical shark is thought to look like. They are often found in small groups within warm and shallow coastal waters.
These sharks are of average size, usually growing to around 180cm in length and are viviparous (give birth to live young).
The Black Tip Reef Shark usually preys on small fish and invertebrates, mullets, groupers, wrasses, cuttlefish, squid and shrimp but have been known to eat much smaller sharks and rays.
These creatures are absolutely harmless to humans but due to their extremely shy nature, extra precaution must be taken when diving so as not to startle them.
Unfortunately, the Black Tip Reef Shark has been facing a rapid decline in recent years due to slow reproduction and severe overfishing.
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus Leucas)
image credit: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/538474/facts-about-bull-sharks
Lastly, we have the Bull Shark.
Notoriously known for its short, blunt snout (much like its namesake) and for head-butting its prey before attacking, the Bull Shark is one of the most dangerous sharks in Asian waters. Due to its ability to swim in both seawater and freshwater, it can be found roaming the ocean and also in rivers!
These hefty, yet fast, creatures can grow to over 3 metres and have stout silhouettes with long pectoral fins.
They are known to be quite aggressive, eating almost anything they can find including dolphins and even other sharks! Although these agile predators are not interested in humans for food, much like their cousins the Great White or the Tiger Shark, they can often confuse humans for other prey and have been known only to attack people out of curiosity or confusion.
Unfortunately, Bull Sharks are intentionally caught for their liver oil, skin and fins to create the popular Asian dish, ‘fin soup’. These animals are also at a high risk of pollution, more so than any other shark, due to their fondness for exploring areas close to the human population.
Join me next time for the second part of this blog, Thailand’s Endangered Turtles!
