Description
Book SynopsisGet submerged in the amazing world of sharks! Your expert host, award-winning marine biologist Dr. David Shiffman, will show you howand whywe should protect these mysterious, misunderstood guardians of the ocean. Sharks are some of the most fascinating, most ecologically important, most threatened, and most misunderstood animals on Earth. More often feared than revered, their role as predators of the deep have earned them a reputation as a major threat to humans. But the truth is that sharks are not a danger to usthey're in danger from us. In Why Sharks Matter, marine conservation biologist Dr. David Shiffman explains why it's crucial that we overcome our misconceptions and rise above cinematic jump scares to embrace sharks as the imperiled and elegant ocean guardians they really are. Sharing his own fascinating experiences working with sharks, Shiffman tells us why healthy shark populations are a must for supporting ocean ecosystemsand the coastal economies that depend on them wh
Trade ReviewShiffman says he wants 'to teach you why sharks are remarkable and awe-inspiring animals, why we're better off with sharks than we are without them, and what you can do to help protect the alarming and increasing number of sharks of conservation concern.' He succeeds on all counts.
—
San Francisco ChronicleThe argument of Shiffman's book is that we should do a better job of protecting sharks, and his method is to dip analysis and policy recommendations in a sugar coating of cool facts. For Shiffman, our inability to conceptualize relative risk is both an ecological and aesthetic tragedy, undermining conservation efforts while preventing us from exulting in the glory of sharks—with their dermal denticles, their total lack of bones and their ability to hear an injured fish from a mile away.
—Molly Young,
New York TimesWhether this book makes you pause and reflect on your perception of sharks, or teaches you some new facts about these predators, Shiffman hopes he has shed light on human side of shark conservation through this work.
—
Forbes[Shiffman] delivers the book he was born to write.
—
The RevelatorJoin award-winning marine biologist Dr. David Shiffman in an approachable, humorous and adventure-packed narrative about sharks—the mysterious guardians of the ocean. You'll learn why we should overcome our misconceptions regarding these creatures, delve deep into Shiffman's own experiences with sharks, and explore decades of scientific research and policymaking related to shark conservation.
—
Scuba DivingA fun, engaging and informative read.
—
Biological ConservationWritten by a US shark-conservation expert with a solid academic background...[Shiffman] question[s] the easy assumptions we divers sometimes make for emotional reasons about protecting sharks, rather than being guided by the science.
—
DivernetShiffman is quick to celebrate those who advance the interests of sharks, profiling a diverse group of dedicated scientists (itself laudable in a field dominated by white men). His bluntness and specificity is refreshing in the face of so much advocacy that just sets its sights at 'raising awareness.'
—
New ScientistShiffman is an entertaining writer, not afraid to nerd out over sharks and share plenty of interesting stories. But what I really appreciate is that every piece of information is grounded in science. Think of it as the anti-Shark Week: the book is entertaining and informative without being sensational or lurid.
—
Cool Green Science (The Nature Conservancy)Those that want to learn more about sharks and their conservation will find [
Why Sharks Matter] a valuable resource. Shiffman is aiming to educate this generation and inspire them to help make the difference that will see shark populations rebuild....As such, this is a book as much about people as it is about sharks.
—Colin A. Simpfendorfer,
Current BiologyA humorous and pleasant read, packed with lots of facts and stories.
—
The Marine BiologistTable of ContentsIntroduction
Chapter 1. Shark Basics, and Fun Facts to Keep You Reading
Chapter 2. Sharks Are Not a Threat to Humans
Chapter 3. The Ecological Significance of Sharks
Chapter 4. What Are the Threats to Sharks and How Threatened Are They?
Chapter 5. How Can We Protect Sharks?
Chapter 6. Sustainable Fisheries for Shark Conservation: Target-Based Policies
Chapter 7. Fishing and Trade Bans for Shark Conservation: Limit-Based Policies
Chapter 8. How Are Scientists Helping Sharks?
Chapter. How Are Environmentalists Helping Sharks?
Chapter 10. How Can You Help Sharks? (Dos and Please Just Don'ts)
Afterword
Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Index
Color plates follow page ___
