Most folks who regularly swim in the ocean have some level of trepidation about sharks, but in reality -- there are far more likely ways for you to get hurt in the water -- namely, drowning because the ocean is powerful! Host Dave Schlom talks to Arizona State University marine conservation biologist about his new book: Why Sharks Matter: A Deep Dive with the World's Most Misunderstood Predator.
In it, Shiffman lays out a powerful case for how we are much more dangerous to sharks than they are to us. And that sharks are incredibly diverse (there are over 500 species of sharks) and an important part of oceanic ecosystems. From the film Jaws to the Discovery Channel's wildly popular "Shark Week" programming, sharks are a huge part of popular culture, but the truth about sharks is that they are more fascinating than deadly.
Conservation of sharks and shark habitats is one of the most important issues confronting marine biology, and Shiffman lays out an excellent case for why we should care about these oceanic predators.
