The other side of sharks

by Siripathy Jayamaha

The shark is supposed to be the most dreaded marine inhabitant. Those who have seen Jaws on the wide screen or on television will get a glimpse of the blood-thirsty reputation of sharks. It was the biggest ‘fish story’ of our time. It is indeed a fishy story because scientists and marine biologists have found sharks to be very timid creatures.

It is, however, a beautiful fish. Unfortunately, its sleek body structure, with its large streamlined horizontal mouth and, the in-turned set of sharp teeth make its name synonymous with undesirable humans in society.

In our country, people often refer to Gini kana mora, mini kana mora or niyoma mora. Neverthless the shark is a much sought after fish when there is a mother to be awaiting the arrival of the new comer to the world.

It is said that a kiri mora dish would make a mother to suckle more milk. Sharks come in various sizes. We are more familiar with the small kiri-mora. Sharks lived in the oceans 400 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs.

They have evolved into many species. Their sizes could be different as a mouse from an elephant. The thresher fish has a very long tail. The angel shark is flat as a skate.

The hammer headed shark looks grotesque among all ling creatures with its eyes located quite a distance apart on the head. The sword fish has a chain saw type of long snout. The whale shark is the biggest and may measure about 15 metres.

Some are very fragile. A few have the ability to take very neat bites off other fish but not humans. They are called ‘cookie cutters’ and had caused headaches to the under water cable layers of yester-year.

One bite could cost around US $ 250,000. Navies had found their rubber nosed sonar domes in nuclear submarines chipped off. The naughty cookie cutter disrupt their nautical mile submerged, journeys.

Species

There are more than 350 species of sharks. We have seen only a very few. In our own country how many of us would have placed sharks measuring around 25 cm on dissecting tables and displayed their cranial nerves as neatly as possible of the Advanced Level classes. One shudders to think of the sharks that have sacrificed their lives for the glory of science. Humans may save lives of their own kind and of all living creatures.

Their studies on sharks have shown to the world, the true life-style of a lovely creature. Their sacrifices have not been in vain.

They are fascinating. Their teeth and the scales along with their body structure and functions have amazed scientists.

Sharks have never been killers. Statistics have shown that only about 300 people have been injured and only about 30 were killed by the deadly ‘great whale shark’ annually.When a shark bites, a dozen teeth may tear out. A new row moves forward.

A dental conveyor belt ensures it a never ending set of sharp teeth. Its bite could shear off a prey. Its organs of sense are unique.

It could while swimming, detect the blood of decaying fish even when diluted to one in a million parts of water. Its night vision and hearing are unbelievable. It can sense the erratic splashes of injured fish or dumping of garbage overboard.

Even the roar of a helicopter blades or the roar of blades over floating devices being constructed by workmen, attract sharks from long distance. They were sure of finding food at the location.

Assets

Apart from all these assets, it is supposed to have a sixth sense. It can actually see electricity. Muscles of all animals radiate electrical impulses. Salt adds to its conductivity. So, the shark could ‘spot’ a dead carcass of a fish under the sea bed with ease.

They are avid travellers. At times upto 15,000 kilometres. They follow the ocean currents. It could move up rivers during high tide. It supple body could make it to make a lovely turn like how dog turns round and round trying to get at its tail. In a whiplash movement, the shark could take off at around 80 kmp. They have no swim blades, like other fish. So, they have to keep moving. Otherwise they sink.

Sharks are amazingly healthy. Their wounds heal quickly. Their blood contains antibodies that can combat a vast array of diseases.

They never get cancer or malignant growths that cause death and suffering to humans and other animals. Its unique immune system could ward off certain chemicals that would kill a human being.

They have fed nurse sharks an extremely potent carcinogen called ‘aflatoxin’ found in the mould of corn, peanuts and other field crops and found that they were not able to produce a single tumour in the shark.

Cancer fighter

One of the sharks most potent cancer fighter is its unusual skeleton made up of entirely cartilage.

Robert Langer a chemical engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has discovered an ingredient in shark cartilage that stops blood vessels from feeding and growing tumours. It could be the cure for cancer.

Age conquers all. The ageing process of the shark is the same as ours. Diminishing of one's eye sight is a sign of age. Scientists are baffled how the shark's lenses are not affected by age. No cases of cataract have been detected.

A chemical extracted from shark cartilage is being tested to find its curative properties in the treatment of burn victims.The shark is the most over-exploited fish. Millions of sharks are caught for food.

The shark's greatest enemy is man. A creature that had lived two hundred times than man is reaching extinction. They grow slowly and produce very few young.

Humans mutilate sharks. Their fins are chopped off and the bleeding fish is thrown back to the sea.

The processed fins are dipped in rice wine and enjoyed by some humans while the finless, bleeding sharks become a pray to other blood thirsty inhabitants of the sea.

The shark is a friend of man. Shark liver oil with all its vitamins makes children and even adults remain healthy. Capsules are more acceptable because of the ‘fishy’ taste.

Its lovely grey colour is used by us. Shark skin suit, shoes and handbags are quite popular.

It is the only fish that keep our oceans clean. Without them the world's oceans would be filled with sick, dying and dead fish.