‘But aren't you scared of sharks?’ This was one of the first questions friends and family asked when I announced I would be moving to Australia. But as someone who works in wildlife conservation and is fond of being underwater, I have never understood this omnipresent fear of sharks. I have been fortunate to dive with beautiful shark species, and revel in knowing how important these predators are for our oceans. A healthy dose of respect is vital for safe encounters with these wild animals, but apart from a select few large species, fear of being bitten by a shark never factors into the equation when I get in the water.

This is a sentiment I know many other marine conservationists share, including David Shiffman, the author of Why Sharks Matter. Having dedicated his career to studying and advocating for the protection of sharks, Shiffman is no stranger to the plethora of cultural, political and socio-economic issues and contentions that surround the conservation of this diverse group of fish. In this book, he delves into dispelling myths spawned by misinformation or the use of inflammatory language that often characterizes media reports of shark bite incidents, pointing out how sharks have been vilified and misunderstood all along.

In the chapter Sharks Are Not a Threat to Humans Shiffman argues ‘that humans are better off with healthy shark populations than we are without sharks in our waters, and that the benefits of having sharks around outweigh the costs’ (p. 23). He highlights the importance of changing the narrative and the language we use when talking about sharks, such as saying ‘shark bite’ instead of the more sinister ‘shark attack’ and avoiding the use of ‘shark infested waters’, which ‘suggests that there's something wrong or bad about sharks being there’ (p. 30). He goes on to point out that widespread fear of sharks and people's ‘nonchalance about the fate of sharks has resulted in political marginalization of shark conservation and management efforts’ (p. 43). Explaining that sharks are not generally dangerous to humans is the first step in convincing people of the need for their conservation. But Shiffman takes his argument one step further, saying that ‘simply acknowledging that these animals are not bad is less powerful than understanding that they're actively good, and that bad things happen without them’ (p. 61).

At just over 250 pages, Why Sharks Matter provides a great introductory overview to all things shark, while not feeling like a science-heavy textbook. Although it opens by explaining all the reasons sharks matter ecologically, much of the book is dedicated to exploring the challenges surrounding the conservation and protection of these maligned and misunderstood predators. The author does not shy away from discussing the contradicting and sometimes controversial policies that exist in this field, or the intricacies of the international management of species and fisheries. Over the course of several chapters, Shiffman discusses the benefits and drawbacks of existing methods for protecting shark populations, such as the differences between target- vs limit-based policies. Although also covering topics from an international perspective, many of the examples provided are US-centric, which is unsurprising given that this is where the author has done extensive work and research.

Why Sharks Matter includes 16 colour plates that help illustrate many of the species and themes discussed. The book is well-referenced, with evidence and articles provided to support the author's arguments. Scientific concepts are presented in a straightforward and simple way, often with a colloquial tone, which makes the content less technical and more accessible to a broad audience. Shiffman interlaces serious conservation issues with popular culture and media references, and the text is peppered throughout with a good dose of humour, personal anecdotes and lessons learnt.

In the chapter How Are Scientists Helping Sharks? we hear first-hand from the people working across a wide range of shark-related research. From those working on tracking and behaviour to those trying to age sharks or understand what role wildlife tourism has to play in shark conservation, these vignettes are a great way for readers to get a glimpse of the diverse opportunities and disciplines in this field. I was especially delighted to see so many inspiring women highlighted, as well as Minorities in Shark Sciences, a group that is improving representation, diversity, and inclusion in shark conservation. The book closes with a description of several notable shark organizations working around the world and points out ways readers can help and get involved, whether by donating or volunteering.

As Shiffman says so poignantly, ‘there's an incredibly diverse group of animals older than the rings of Saturn, capable of countless amazing behaviours, critically important to the health of an ecosystem that billions of humans depend on for food, and in serious conservation trouble’ (p. 25). Why Sharks Matter is ideal for those wanting to get to know sharks better, debunk some myths, gain a deeper understanding of the political and socio-economic challenges surrounding shark conservation, and hear directly from dedicated individuals who are working every day to ensure sharks are protected.