Today on Marine Science Minute with Florida Sea Grant: Sharks 

Sharks are fascinating creatures! The earliest evidence of shark fossils dates to 450 million years ago, which means that sharks appeared almost two hundred million years before the dinosaurs.  

Today, about 500 shark species are swimming in the ocean. Some sharks are top predators that help regulate the populations of species lower down the food chain, which helps maintain balanced ecosystems and biodiversity.  

Sharks are also economically important; many coastal communities benefit from shark-related ecotourism. , there is a fishing industry for sharks, and sharks support healthy commercial fish stocks.  

Be sure to take the Shark-Smart Fishing educational course at MyFWC.com and get your shore-based shark fishing permit; this is required when fishing for sharks from shore.  

For information about this and other coastal topics, contact your county extension office or visit Florida Sea Grant at flseagrant.org.