It’s long been known that a species that has survived for millions of years is very suddenly approaching extinction levels.

Due to over fishing, pollution, and habitat loss, sharks are becoming ocean ghosts, which is leading towards a massive imbalance in our ocean ecosystem.

While conservation and ocean preservation is best, sharp minds haven’t given up on other options.  Just recently, the Aquarium of the Pacific (one of my favorite places) has been successful with artificial insemination with Zebra Sharks.

What does this mean? Well, it opens a lot of options for shark reproduction. It means Shark DNA can be shared over the country and the world, to increase genetic diversity in captive populations.  It means, maybe we can increase wild releases of captive born sharks to the ocean if needed.  It means, someone found something to do instead of just asking everyone to please stop killing the sharks and the ocean PLZ THANKS.

Two juvenile zebra sharks are being moved onto exhibit this week at the Aquarium, the product of the successful artificial insemination.  The public will be able to admire and even gently caress them in touch tanks at Shark Lagoon by Valentine’s day this year.

Although Zebra Sharks are born from eggs,  Aquarists are now working toward black tip reef shark artificial insemination, who have live births.  Baby steps could leave to giant strides in shark populations.

Thanks for the hard work, AOP. You do you.

 

-merbabe