MoreSignsofTrouble
Gajićalsosawsignsoftroubleinotherorgans.Manysharkshadeatenplastic.Hefoundpiecesintheirstomachsandintestines.Thismaycausesharks’problemsand diseases.
Weretheseisolatedcases?Wedon’tknow.Butwedoknowthatboththediseasesandeatingplasticcanbetracedto pollution.
![](/nationalgeographic/pathfinder_april_2020/more_signs_of_trouble_and_next_steps/708559/NGX0420_EE_22.640_0_1.jpg)
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.
![](/nationalgeographic/pathfinder_april_2020/more_signs_of_trouble_and_next_steps/708557/NGX0420_EE_23.640_0_1.jpg)
askateeggcasefoundonabeachin Malta
![](/nationalgeographic/pathfinder_april_2020/more_signs_of_trouble_and_next_steps/708558/iNaturalist.256_0_1.png)
iNaturalist isacitizen
scienceprojectandonline
networkofnaturalistsand
citizenscientistsbuiltontheconceptofmappingandsharingobservationsofbiodiversityacrosstheglobe.
Tolearnhowtousethisfreeprogram,go to:
www.inaturalist.org