Shark Species in Coral Reefs

By: Brandon Roy

Reef sharks (identification and classification)

Phylum: Chordata Class: Chrondrichthyes Diet : reef fish, lobster, cuttlefish, crabs, Common sharks found in reefs

– Black-tip reef shark– White-tip reef shark– Caribbean reef shark– Grey nurse shark– Whale shark

Reef sharks cont.Reef sharks cont.

Black-tip reef sharks have been found off the coast of Key West.Tip of their dorsal fin is black, they have a brown body and can be up to 6 feet long.They are one of the few sharks species who can jump completely out of the water.White-tip reef shark have a white spot on the top of their dorsal fin with a grayish brown body(140-160 inches).This species of shark is nocturnal and hunt in packs

Unique characteristics of sharksUnique characteristics of sharks• A tiger shark( grey nurse A tiger shark( grey nurse

shark) can smell 1 drop of shark) can smell 1 drop of blood in an Olympic sized blood in an Olympic sized swimming poolswimming pool

• Whale shark is the largest Whale shark is the largest fish in the world and can fish in the world and can grow more than 15 ft long grow more than 15 ft long and live in coral reefsand live in coral reefs

• All sharks have lateral lines All sharks have lateral lines down their body and face down their body and face along with 2 spiracles behind along with 2 spiracles behind their eyes that act as ears their eyes that act as ears and detect vibrations in the and detect vibrations in the water. water.

• A sharks body is mostly A sharks body is mostly composed of cartilage.composed of cartilage.

• Most sharks eat 1-10% of Most sharks eat 1-10% of their own body weight their own body weight weekly.weekly.

Why are reefs good homes for sharks?Why are reefs good homes for sharks?

The temperature rarely drops below 70The temperature rarely drops below 70° Fahrenheit, ° Fahrenheit, this temp is perfect for the cold blooded sharks.this temp is perfect for the cold blooded sharks.

Coral reefs are also home to over 500 species of fish Coral reefs are also home to over 500 species of fish that these sharks prey on. that these sharks prey on.

The coral also provides shelter and protection from The coral also provides shelter and protection from other sharks and fishing tourist. other sharks and fishing tourist.

The reefs also have very low levels of toxins in the The reefs also have very low levels of toxins in the water which is good for the reef sharks.water which is good for the reef sharks.

The constant changes in tide provide a very rich The constant changes in tide provide a very rich marine environment for the sharksmarine environment for the sharks

Estimates say that coral reefs contain up to 1/3 of the Estimates say that coral reefs contain up to 1/3 of the world’s population of fish.world’s population of fish.

Threats to sharks in reefsThreats to sharks in reefs

Over fishing – tourism and Over fishing – tourism and commercial fishing of sharkscommercial fishing of sharks

Fins (shark fin soup)Fins (shark fin soup) Oils (Shark liver oil)Oils (Shark liver oil)

Sharks have slow reproduction Sharks have slow reproduction so over fishing is hazardousso over fishing is hazardousOils from the liver are used for Oils from the liver are used for medical remedies (pains, medical remedies (pains, sores, irritations)sores, irritations)The deterioration of coral reefs The deterioration of coral reefs along with coral bleaching kills along with coral bleaching kills fish that sharks prey onfish that sharks prey onThe fish trade is killing sharks The fish trade is killing sharks to supply the demands of to supply the demands of Chinese food industries Chinese food industries

Conservation of Reef SharksConservation of Reef Sharks

As mentioned in the previous slide, sharks are subject to over fishing. The IUCN, at one point, was responsible for banning all shark fishing in Australia. After noticing that the number of sharks increased

dramatically, the bans where lifted Scientist are trying to come up with a way to

improve the rate at which sharks reproduce. Now the CITES are trying to ban fishing of tropical

marine animals, in hopes of keeping some shark species from becoming endangered.

The CITES are also pushing to restrict the tourist fishing of certain shark species.

Credits Credits

Photos from Photos from http://www.wikipedia.org/http://www.wikipedia.org/