MoreSignsofTrouble
Gajićalsosawsignsoftroubleinotherorgans.Manysharkshadeatenplastic.Hefoundpiecesintheirstomachsandintestines.Thismaycausesharks’problemsand diseases.
Weretheseisolatedcases?Wedon’tknow.Butwedoknowthatboththediseasesandeatingplasticcanbetracedto pollution.
Gajićstudiessharksincaptivity, too.
NextSteps
Gajićhasalotofworkaheadinfurthersharkstudiesandinconservation.Hehasalotofquestions.Canwestrengthenlawstoprotecttheenvironment?Canwebecomemoreawareofhowouractionsaffectmarinelife?Whatcankidsdotohelpkeepsharks healthy?
Gajićsaystherearemanythingsthatkidscandotohelp.Forexample,take
alookatthetoothpasteyouuse.Sometoothpastescontainmicroplastics.Thesearesmallplasticpiecesthatcanbeharmfultosealife.Avoidusingthese.Alsostayawayfromdisposableplasticbagsanddrinkingstraws.Manyendupinour waterways.
Participatingincitizen science.
Isthereabeachnearyou?Takeawalk.Youmayfindtheeggcasesofsomesharkorskatespecies.TakeaphotoanduploadittoiNaturalist.Helpscientistslearnwheresharknurserygrounds are.
Andlearnasmuchasyoucanaboutsharks.Themoreweknow,theeasieritwillbetobuildaplanetin balance.
GajicencountersahugejellyfishinNeum Bay.
iNaturalist isacitizen
scienceprojectandonline
networkofnaturalistsand
citizenscientistsbuiltontheconceptofmappingandsharingobservationsofbiodiversityacrosstheglobe.
Tolearnhowtousethisfreeprogram,go to:
www.inaturalist.org