Impact Measure

Our most recent years in review:

Shark FIN TRADE LEGISLATION

Shark Allies’ legislative work began in 2010 with the creation of the first shark fin trade ban in the world in the State of Hawaii, 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. For this landmark bill, 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.

In 2020 and 2021, our work continued on this track via the Stop the Fin Trade campaign, with our most recent victory concentrated on ending the trade of shark fins in Florida. This State turned out to be one of the most difficult to tackle. Attempts for a fin ban had already been started by other organizations in previous years, with no success. It required almost three years of non-stop commitment, and lots of help from experts and volunteers in Florida to bring this to passage. We eventually succeeded and a fin trade ban was implemented. Florida played a key role in the passage of the Federal Fin Elimination Act which was finally passed in December 2022 resulting in a nationwide ban on the sale and trade of shark fins in the United States.

SIGNATURES

Not every campaign needs a petition, but sometimes it can be a purposeful tool to put the word out, to connect the community, and to rally the troops. It can also be a great way to create an initial wave of momentum and can serve to educate the public, while getting them engaged in a campaign. We only use this tool when we know we will follow through with action, as was the case with the Florida bill. As we were working with stakeholders and bill sponsors, the NoFinFL petition was one component in a line-up of many tools we used to show the overwhelming interest by the public in putting an end to trading shark fins through Florida.

In 2020 and 2021, we broke the news that shark squalene is a common ingredient in vaccine formulas (“adjuvants”). The story blew up internationally, and having a simple petition, once again, served a good purpose. We received 125,000+ signatures in a very short time and the number continues to grow. We are fully aware that petitions have their limits, and that they are often overused. They cannot replace real action, and a petition alone will not bring about change. With the #SharkFreeVaccines campaign, we placed the petition at the beginning of a long-term plan that will address shark products on many levels.

MEDIA COVERAGE

It is no secret that sharks face an image problem, brought about by the press. Every year, we find it extremely important to have a good amount of positive articles, interviews and blogs about sharks featured in publications around the world. 2021 turned out to be an exceptional year as we generated more than 145 media stories via print and online magazines, news outlets, radio and TV programs, podcasts and blog pages. To dive into each feature, please visit our News section, this is updated as stories come in!