In defense of sharks

I hope to become a marine biologist. I want to know everything there is to know about sharks. For example, I want to find out why Great White sharks cannot survive in aquariums. I am trying to save sharks from becoming extinct. According to the Humane Society of the United States, more than 100 million sharks are being killed every year. They are being killed for their skin to make soap and lotion, for their fins to make soup and for hunting. Laws are in place and are being passed to stop shark finning.

Sharks are unique fish that are part of the ocean's ecosystem. Without sharks the ocean will not have a balanced ecosystem. Sharks are fierce hunters and are at the top of the ocean's food chain. Sharks' worst enemies are human beings. Since sharks are well equipped to hunt, they can overpower much bigger animals, such as whales and giant squids. They can also smell a drop of blood from over a mile away.

Shark attacks are rare. Sharks only attack people because they think they are seals or other ocean prey. You have a greater risk of getting struck by lightning than being attacked by a shark. Since sharks are hunters, people hate sharks.

Did you know that sharks existed before dinosaurs? They have been in our world for 400 million years!

I am trying to save sharks because I believe they belong in the ocean. We should protect them because they cannot protect themselves from humans. I joined Shark Defenders (sharkdefenders .com), a group that helps restore healthy shark populations in the world's oceans. I need 1,000 signatures and emails to manage my own Facebook page. I hosted a booth at a flea market to collect signatures. My family and I made Save the Species T-shirts, and we gave out shark tattoos. Shark Defenders has named me Shark Defender in Training. My email is Nicholas.sharkboy @gmail.com.