Adopt a Shark For The Holidays!

Despite what flicks like Jaws and Deep Blue Sea might have led you to believe, sharks are not vengeful, man-eating creatures out to get you and your whole family.

Did you know that you're more likely to be struck by lightening TWICE than attacked by a shark ONCE?

And yet, over 100 million sharks are killed each year partly because of the misconception about them. 100 million, folks. That's a lot of anything, let alone a single species of ocean creature.

But the biggest threat to our friends of the sea is turning into shark fin soup. For those that have never heard of this barbaric practice, it's where sharks are caught, have their fins chopped off right there on the boat, and then they are thrown back into the water ALIVE. But not for very long, obviously.

Did you know that large ocean predators such as sharks contain high levels of mercury that are dangerous to humans if they eat them?

So, the joke's on all you shark fin soup lovers out there. Not only is your little hobby wiping out a species, but it's poisoning you as well. Karma??

Did you know that there's something you can do to help the decline of these magnificent animals? For starters, you can Adopt a Shark! Yes, it's true -- for a one-time fee, you can choose from an array of impressive sharks whose preservation you can contribute to. All sharks are tagged, and you can follow the progress of your shark through interactive maps. Your adoption fee allows researchers to continue their work. Now, doesn't that make you feel good? I think I'll adopt Tuck, the Great White. He's purdy.

You can also support the cause in other ways by boycotting shark products like jaws, teeth, and shark liver oil. (Shark teeth that wash up on beaches or are fossilized are fair game.)

And if you want to help preserve sharks but make it fashion, you can also hit up Fahlo, who sells bracelets for just $14.95 that represent a different tracked shark that you can keep tabs on. Proceeds from each order go to Saving The Blue. 

Why save sharks, you might ask? Well, first of all, the extinction of ANY animal greatly affects the ecosystem as a whole, and with sharks, it's no different. If they go extinct, the chain reaction will ultimately affect us humans. Paying attention now? Good! Now go and become a proud mama or papa to Fast Ball -- how could you resist that face??