Film Lens
The documentary discusses the necessity of killing sharks for scientific research and the ethical implications surrounding this practice. It features insights from experts like Neil Hammerschlag, who emphasizes that many techniques used to study sharks have historically involved killing them, often due to outdated methods. The film shows the importance of finding non-lethal alternatives to gather data on shark populations, especially as many species face threats of extinction.
The conversation also touches on the Cooperative Shark Tagging Program, which has tagged nearly 300,000 sharks since 1962. This program has provided significant data, such as the discovery that tiger sharks can cross the Atlantic Ocean. The documentary aims to challenge the perception that killing sharks is necessary for research, advocating for more ethical and effective scientific practices.
Why Watch
- •Find out why killing sharks for research is controversial.
- •Meet Neil Hammerschlag, a leading shark scientist.
- •See how tagging sharks has changed over decades.
- •Discover non-lethal methods for studying sharks.
Did You Know
•Since 1962, almost 300,000 sharks have been tagged in research.
•Tiger sharks were found to cross the Atlantic after being tagged.
•The Cooperative Shark Tagging Program has been running for 34 years.
•Some shark carcasses used in research come from accidental bycatch.
Perfect For
Marine biologyConservation ethicsShark enthusiastsScientific research