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.

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

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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.

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End the decimation of White Sharks in South Africa

For years, we have been hearing about shark nets and drumlines that are being used along South Africa’s coastline, wreaking havoc on wildlife. The government has increased the number of long-line tuna permits with an allowable bycatch of sharks. The decimation of White sharks is alarming - meanwhile, the public is told that orcas are to blame. We are joining South African advocacy groups to take action and change this tragic trajectory.

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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.

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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.