The Shark Allies Story

We are dedicated to the protection and conservation of sharks and rays. Our focus is on taking action, on raising awareness and guiding initiatives that reduce the destructive overfishing of sharks on a global scale. Shark Allies is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization originally established in 2007 in Hawaii and incorporated in California in 2014.

Why We Protect Sharks

You might wonder why we dedicate our efforts to sharks when there seem to be so many other issues that need attention. There are many reasons, but the heart of the matter is that someone has to be there for sharks without compromise; without distraction. Sharks need a strong lobby that will stick with the task, day in and day out. Many shark species are threatened and we don’t have decades to get a handle on these issues. If we want to catch this before we hit the point of no return, then action is needed now.

Sharks are not the most popular animal in the ocean, and that is reflected in the lack of attention their plight is receiving. The killing of millions of sharks stays under the radar, while news of one shark attack hits the news on a global level. Because there are so many urgent problems that need to be dealt with, sharks are under-represented even within the ocean conservation world. Non-profits divide and conquer issues, focusing on small niches of specialty with hopes that the combined efforts result in stronger, healthier oceans. While some focus on plastics pollution, climate change, or on saving marine mammals, Shark Allies represent sharks and rays exclusively. It is the only way the limited manpower of the advocacy world can cover the most territory. Since we cannot rely on governments to save our oceans, it is left to activists and advocacy groups to carry that torch, and Shark Allies is proud to be one of the organizations working in the trenches.

Our Story

Shark Allies did not appear overnight as a shark-saving concept, but rather grew slowly and organically over the years. Before Shark Allies was officially formed, we gathered years of experience working in the field, diving with sharks and introducing thousands of people to sharks through dive experiences on the North Shore of Oahu. During those years we also participated in many research projects and film productions. From this basis, outreach to schools and the public evolved easily, and eventually, it made sense to create a non-profit that would organize the work in a strategic way. The legislative work began in 2010 with the creation of the first shark fin trade ban in the world, which we were privileged to help develop and bring to passage, paving the way for not only shark conservation but also elephant ivory and rhino horn trade ban legislation. This victory propelled us to a new level of work, which has continued to grow and spread across the region, and our accomplishments continued to grow.

Shark Allies is an organization that invites participation and hopes to inspire the public. We thrive on the power and energy that our hard working volunteers bring to the cause. There is no limit to what we can achieve for sharks if we lift the issue out of the shadows and bring it into the light of the public. We couldn’t do what we do without support. It is our task to find the way and shape the strategy, but it is everyone else’s willingness to get involved that will empower the movement.

POLICY AND HISTORIC WINS FOR SHARKS

It is on the policy front where we have done our most meaningful work with the greatest impact. It started with the 2010 landmark bill in the State of Hawaii, where our founder, Stefanie Brendl worked directly with Hawaii State Senator Clayton Hee to create a ban on the sale, trade and possession of shark fins. A historic effort that became the model for many other State fin bans that followed.

After the successful passage of the Hawaii bill, Shark Allies, in collaboration with many other great individuals and organizations such as HSUS, Pew, Shark Savers and WildAid worked all over the US and the Pacific to champion a wave of legislation to stop the trade of fins and to create shark sanctuaries. Over the years we have consulted on many of the bill introductions around the world.

The Hawaii bill kicked into motion a wave that has now resulted in 14 US States, 3 territories and many Pacific Nations to pass fin trade bans, and several states are in the process of shaping legislation. Our work continues on this track through our Stop the Fin Trade campaign, with our most recent victory concentrated on ending the trade of shark fins in Florida.

Education and RAISING AWARENESS

For more than twelve years, Shark Allies has been educating the public through presentations at schools, events and private businesses. In 2012, the documentary Extinction Soup was completed and raised awareness about shark finning and the shark fin trade around the world, at international film festivals and screening events. The media outreach continues with video PSAs and interviews and a growing social media presence. Our goal is to elevate this work to new levels through our Reducing Shark Products, Protecting Sharks & Habitats and Valuing Sharks Alive campaigns.