Respect. protect. take action.
Sharks play a key role in the natural, social, and economic systems of our planet. Climate change, food security, sustainable fisheries, biodiversity, and sustainable economies depend on functioning ocean ecosystems. A healthy ocean needs abundant and healthy shark populations. During the past decades, sharks have been decimated on a global scale, and there seems to be no end in sight. Devastating fishing practices continue, and decision-makers seem unwilling to take significant steps to change this trajectory. This is due to a lack of awareness and strong influences we have not been able to match. We have made progress in recent years, but to avoid stagnation, we must ramp up our efforts. It has come to the point where we must ask ourselves:
How do we create a future WITH sharks?
Interconnected strategies
It’s a tough choice to do what is necessary, rather than what is easy. If we want to push shark advocacy out of its underdog status, we have to be willing to consider the complexity of all the elements that could move us forward. Putting up with the status quo is no longer an option if we want to elevate shark advocacy to a more powerful position. Winning battles here and there is great, but changing the game would be even better. With each sector mentioned below, we have opportunities to break barriers.
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Represent Sharks
To raise the profile of urgent issues and fight for effective solutions.
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Determine the Value of Sharks
To prove that the protection of sharks is good for business and for society.
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Change how we govern sharks
Propose fundamental changes in how sharks are governed.
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Protect Sharks' Habitat
Increase protected areas where shark populations have a chance to recover.
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Build New Momentum
Activate new stakeholders, and build public support for shark conservation
CURRENT CAMPAIGNS
Calculate the economic impact of SHARKS
Financial valuations demonstrate the economic power of live sharks, in contrast to the one-time gain of fishing.
END DRIFT GILLNETS IN CALIFORNIA
While drift gillnets have been outlawed in California, set gillnets are still trapping sealife and causing non-target species to die in numbers that are unacceptable. This campaign is another coalition campaign that brings together many groups from the region.
stop fins eu
It’s time for the European Union to take its member states out of the Fin Trade. Together with a coalition of European Shark and Ocean conservation Groups, we are moving a proposal through the slow quagmire of the European Union’s legislative process.
StopFinningEU representatives will be attending the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice.
our next event
We rise from the ashes
even Keel tattoo shark weekend
We have had a rough start this year, with all of our materials, inventory, and assets burning to nothing but ashes in the California Palisades fire. We took a moment to regroup, but now we are going to come back stronger than ever.
We are uniting with partners to celebrate RESILIENCE!
This year will be bigger and better than ever before. And we are starting a new tradition - a co-branded event t-shirt featuring Kyle Walker’s incredible artwork. You don’t want to miss this!
Look out for updates on IG @evenkeeltattoo
Location: Even Keel Tattoo, 4675 Cass Street, San Diego, California
July 12 & 13, 2025 11 am-7 pm
