PhD student @ClarePrebble uses photo ID to document an inquisitive specimen while rocking our #WhaleSharkWarrior leggings. Named for it's smooth skin, which is coupled by it's slick and stealthy behavior, the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) is one of the raddest and most abundant sharks in the pelagic zone. However, having a large range can have its drawbacks... The IUCN lists silky sharks as Vulnerable and Near Threatened in various regional assessments due to being targeted for the global shark fin trade and caught as bycatch from indiscriminatory commercial fishing methods. The more scientists know about these animals through hard data (rad photos included), the better chance we have to support appropriate legislation to protect those in need.
Photo by @JonathanGalapagos for the @MarineMegafauna Foundation
Leggings available at:
Waterlust.org/whalesharkwarrior