They go by many names. Apex predators. The men in gray suits. Killers of the deep. No matter what you call them, sharks are some of the most feared—and misunderstood—creatures on Earth.

Of the more than 400 kinds of sharks, only about four or five species are occasionally involved in attacks on people. In fact, most sharks are harmless to humans. Attacks are extremely rare—and rarely deadly. The sad truth is that sharks have more to fear from us than we do from them.

Go Fish
Each year, 100 million sharks are killed by the fishing industry. Many die accidentally in nets meant for swordfish or tuna. Others are purposely caught for their meat or their fins.

Shark fins are considered especially valuable in Asia, where they are used to make shark fin soup. This traditional dish is often served as a symbol of wealth and status. But many people don't realize the cruelty involved in obtaining shark fins.

Sharks are caught only to have their fins cut off. The sharks are then thrown back overboard, where they either bleed to death or are easily captured by predators. It's estimated that tens of millions of sharks are "finned" each year.

No Contest
Shark fishing tournaments are also hurting sharks. In these contests, people compete for large cash prizes to see who can catch the biggest shark. Commonly caught sharks include mako, thresher, porbeagle, and blue sharks—species that are all in decline.

Besides adding to the drop in shark populations, these contests also contribute to sharks' negative image. They show sharks as vicious killers that the oceans are better off without, when the opposite is actually true.

As top predators, sharks are an important part of ocean ecosystems. A big change in the number of sharks can throw the numbers of other ocean animals off balance. Studies show that in the last 50 years, shark populations have dropped by about 90 percent.

Shark Smarts
You can help sharks by learning more about them and their role in nature.

Spread the word to family and friends that sharks aren't monsters—they're just animals trying their best to survive.

Here are a few more ways you can help sharks:

 ● Don't give sharks food. Popular in Florida, shark-feeding scuba dives let tourists get close to sharks. Feeding sharks causes them to associate humans with food. That can lead sharks to not only bite but also to change their usual hunting and migration behavior.

 ● Don't be shark food. Humans aren't part of a shark's normal diet, but sharks can bite out of curiosity or by mistake. Avoid swimming at dusk or in fishing spots, when and where sharks are most active. Stay close to shore and be sure a lifeguard is on duty.

 ● The dinner menu. You can avoid foods made from shark fins or other shark products.

 ● The TV menu. If you think shark tournaments are wrong, e-mail ESPN and other sports channels. Ask them not to broadcast the tournaments. If a shark tournament is held in or near your community, contact the tournament's sponsors. Ask them not to support the contests. 

 ● Save sharks from finning. Ask your lawmaker to support the Shark Conservation Act. If passed, this law would help protect sharks from being finned.

Hundreds of species of sharks swim the world's seas and rivers. Read about three of them in this month's Critter Card Cutouts!