Protecting Sharks on Sanibel----Yes, you read that right!

Sharks are considered apex predators of the marine world.


Sitting at the top of the food chain they don’t have too many worries – or then again maybe they do. Sharks at all stages of life, from egg to adult, can potentially be attacked. Animals that attack sharks include snails, whales, other sharks, and more.



But for the most part, large sharks such as great whites have few natural predators. Although whale attacks may occur on occasion it is unlikely that they are common. Unfortunately, humans are sharks' most deadly predator. According to CNN’s Lisa Ling in her December 2008 article “Shark fin soup alters ecosystem” roughly 100 million sharks are killed each year for shark fin soup. Decimating the shark population is not only bad for the sharks but can throw off the whole ecosystem as populations lower on the food chain are allowed to grow – potentially setting off a chain of further effects. According to the Shark Foundation/ Hai-Stiftung website one of every four shark species is considered endangered by the World Conservation Union.



Now those stats are pretty scary, scarier than the existence of sharks in our opinion. But there are shark heroes able and willing to step in. Chris Fischer developed his passion for the sea while spending family vacations in Southwest Florida, which at the time seemed like a world away from his native Louisville, Ky. But when he returned to the region on Wednesday, as the expedition leader of the M.V. Ocean and star of the National Geographic Channel television series "Shark Men," it almost seemed like he was coming home.



According to Fischer, the shark fin trade has reached epidemic proportions, with an estimated 50 to 90 million sharks killed annually by anglers who harvest the fish only for their fins. The fins are used in the creation of some traditional Chinese medicines as well as in recipes such as shark fin soup.



"Shark finning has made a terrible impact on the world's shark population. Sharks really are in peril right now," said Captain Brett McBride. McBride previously worked alongside Fischer on the TV series "Offshore Adventures," which won two Emmy Awards. "You really have to love this life. It has to be a passion for you or else you're not going to be here very long."



Fischer and his fellow "Shark Men" made an overnight stop off the coast of Sanibel recently, promoting the last two episodes of the second season. The finale will be broadcast on Saturday, July 2. The show is at 10 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel.



Echoing the feelings of Sanibel residents, Fisher said of his visit: "What you have here in South Florida are a lot of people dedicated to protecting the waters. They take notice of what's going on, which is a really good thing for the environment."