My PhD research on the population genetics of hammerhead sharks in the Eastern Pacific has allowed me to travel to fish camps in Central and South America where images of overfishing are prevalent. Sharks, caught both intentionally and as bycatch all over the world, are vulnerable to over-exploitation because they reach maturity at a late age and have lower reproductive rates compared with most bony fish. They simply cannot keep up with our modern, industrialized fishing practices. We have replaced them as the top predators in the ocean. Images such as this taken on the beach in Manta, Ecuador will hopefully heighten awareness of the decline in global shark populations and urge people to help stop this trend. Simple actions, like making more responsible sea food choices, can help keep sharks off our beaches and in the ocean forever.

Funding came from my PhD adviser’s NSF grant OCE-0550526.