Answer:
1. What are some of the threats to dogfish sharks?
Direct threats such as fishing can lead to the depletion of dogfish sharks as well as indirect threats like water pollution, habitat changes, damage and loss due to coastal development. Like other shark species, they have low reproduction rates and they grow slowly and mature late.
2. What abnormalities, if any, were detected in the necropsy results? How may these factors have contributed to the shark’s death?
There was an abnormality that was detected in the necropsy revealing elevated levels of methyl mercury in the shark’s liver. In addition, there was also the presence of plastic in the stomach of the fish. Both of these factors contributed to the shark’s death.
3. Describe the stomach contents of the shark. What do the stomach contents indicate regarding the dogfish shark’s eating habits?
Inside the shark stomach were found the normal fish and shrimp which is part of the shark's diet. However, a ball of plastic was also found in it. This is an indication of pollution in the shark's environment, a thing that sharks unknowingly take in foreign objects that float along with the fish.
4. What do you predict was the main cause of death? Discuss what other factors may have contributed to the shark’s death.
The main cause of the death of the dogfish shark is pollution of its habitat. The lack of clean water and lack of oxygen have greatly affected the sharks organs and health. The presence of waste materials such as plastic being ingested by the fish is in itself a killer.
5. Could this have been prevented? What can be done to help preserve this species?
Yes, the death and depletion of sharks can be prevented. By making sure that the ecosystem is free from pollution and clear of waste materials, humans as custodians of the planet earth are responsible and accountable to safeguard every living thing.
