Dive deep into the world of sharks on Shark Awareness Day

The origins of Shark Awareness Day are hazy, but its goal is clear: to dispel the stigma surrounding sharks and raise awareness of their role in the marine ecosystem. And it's observed annually on 14 July.

Why care about sharks? Sharks keep marine ecosystems balanced by keeping populations of various prey species in check. As the majlis bandaraya or Alam Flora of the seas, they keep oceans clean by scavenging on dead animals. And by culling the sick and weak, they improve the gene pool of prey species. Far from inspiring fear, their presence is a sign of a healthy ocean, and their survival is vital to the future of marine ecosystems.

Of the more than 500 species of shark (and counting), only a handful pose any sort of danger to humans, and that's only when we go into the sea. In comparison, an estimated 100 million sharks are killed every year, for their fins or by accident. Because they take years to mature, reproduce late in life and have only a few young each time they breed, they are vulnerable to overfishing.

For a species that's more than 400 million years old and has survived several mass extinctions, to be wiped out in the hands of relative newcomers to the planet (that's us, by the way) would be a tragedy, not to mention an insult.

So, no, we shouldn't be afraid of sharks, no matter how many monster shark movies or Sharknado sequels are made. All sensational media on "toothy terrors" tap into our primal fear of being out of our element, and being eaten.

"We're not just afraid of predators," said American biologist Edward Osborne Wilson, "we're transfixed by them, prone to weave stories and fables and chatter endlessly about them, because fascination creates preparedness, and preparedness, survival. In a deeply tribal sense, we love our monsters."

That fascination has led researchers, scholars, journalists and storytellers into the realm of the shark, to study, learn more, and share what they've learnt. To know so little about a species so intricately tied to the health of our oceans seems criminal, apart from the pain we inflict on them each day. Here are just a few of the many non-fiction books written about sharks...

The Devil's Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks by Susan Casey
Holt Paperbacks
9780805080117

Canadian born journalist Susan Casey chronicles her experiences observing great white sharks from the Farallon Islands, 27 miles off San Francisco, California. The sharks were part of a research project by biologists Peter Pyle and Scot Anderson. But who could have foreseen that her obsession with the sharks would threaten the research project and the careers of the two experts?

Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 by Michael Capuzzo
Crown
9780767904148

Michael Capuzzo imbues rich historical detail into a riveting narrative in his recreation of the American summer of 1916, when a spate of attacks by a great white shark along the New Jersey shore sparked panic among the American public and forced a change in attitudes towards sharks in general. A bygone era is brought to life in vivid detail, as are the stories of key figures in the unfolding drama.

Demon Fish: Travels Through the Hidden World of Sharks by Juliet Eilperin
Anchor Books
9780307386809

Follow Juliet Eilperin as she journeys across the globe, touring the world of sharks and the communities that interact with them: from fishermen, seafood vendors, and the shark-callers of Papua New Guinea, to scientists and conservationists. With an instinct for a good story and a scientist's curiosity, she paints an all-encompassing portrait of these mysterious and extraordinary creatures and the places they inhabit, not just the oceans but also our imaginations.

Emperors of the Deep: The Mysterious and Misunderstood World of the Shark by William McKeever
William Collins
9780008359201

Called a "must-read" for those interested in the oceans by Greenpeace, this book is the culmination of a two-year journey around the world and into the oceans – from the Arctic Circle to the tropical Central Pacific – to dispel old narratives about sharks. McKeever, an author, filmmaker and founder of Safeguard of the Seas, an NGO devoted to ocean conservancy, celebrates the shark in this book and issues an urgent call for their salvation.

Shark Trouble: True Stories and Lessons About the Sea by Peter Benchley
Ballantine Books
9780812966336

The bestselling author of Jaws draws on more than three decades of experience writing about sharks and other marine animals, and melds high adventure with practical information into a guide on staying safe at sea. Learn of some types of sharks, how to reduce the odds against an attack, and more. Ultimately, Benchley's aim is to instil a healthy respect for the ocean and its denizens.

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Knowledge of sharks may not be essential for most, but any attempt to learn more about and help them should be lauded, especially as much has been said and reported about sharks in our waters and the threats facing them. Shouldn't we do our bit to preserve these amazing creatures and the environment they live in, like what these organisations and groups are doing?

Going full eco-warrior for the cause would be too much; the least we can do is avoid shark-related products like their fins. Though awareness is growing, the trade and consumption of fins is still high.

An ocean without sharks will be a desolate place, and the void they would leave behind would be impossible to fill.