Sharks
Apex predators of the deep
2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of everyone’s favourite shark movie, Jaws—the movie that left us scared of every body of water, even swimming pools. Galeophobia is the formal term for fear of sharks. We’re so mesmerized by these ancient creatures that there’s an entire week dedicated to them in the United States since 1988. And Shark TV, a new reality TV series set to debut in the UK next year, will feature celebrities facing their fear of sharks in weekly competition.
Despite the media frenzy over shark attacks, humans are far more likely to drown or be struck by lightning. On average, there are about 70 shark attacks a year, with about 5-6 fatalities. In comparison, humans kill around 100 million sharks annually, with devastating impacts on our oceans. As apex predators, sharks are top of the food chain. Healthy shark populations keep their prey species in balance and positively influence biodiversity, as well as indirectly support the health of sea grasses and coral reefs. Even if we find them scary, empty oceans would be far worse.