How Sharks Help Us

1. Filter our water. 
Certain sharks, such as the basking shark, are filter feeders that consume large quantities of zooplankton, such as copepods and krill. Some experts believe this helps to “clean” the water and may prevent red tide and other harmful algal blooms.

2. Protect shellfish. 

Sharks affect shellfish population counts, since many consume skates, rays and other predators of scallops, crabs, lobsters and more. When sharks decline, shellfish that many humans like to eat start to disappear, too.

3. Collect geographic data. 
Sharks rigged with cameras have provided important data on dangerous underwater sites, such as a Pacific Ocean nuclear test site where sharks were deployed in 2003.

4. Improve our immunity.

Sharks possess a highly developed immune system, with few species suffering from cancer and other disorders. If researchers can unlock its key processes, sharks may one day lead to preventative treatments, or even cures, for some of our most deadly diseases.

5. Learn more about fish. 

Analysis of sharks, particularly the dogfish, has taught many researchers and students about fish biology.

6. Navigate.

Sharks have the greatest electrical sensitivity of any creature on Earth. Since detection of magnetic fields can help with orientation and navigation, future research on shark electroreceptor organs may one day lead to better navigation systems in cars, planes and ships.