SHARK CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, ACTIVISTS PROTECTING SHARKS AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS

Oceanic Defence

Sea Shepherd

Shark Alliance

Shark Conservation is a vitally important part of helping to maintain a healthy balance in the world's oceans. Many organizations have picked up the torch. Most need help from concerned people like you. Some fight globally to limit the effects of commercial shark finning. Others concentrate on protecting sharks in a specific region where over-fishing and environmental degeneration are causing shark numbers to plummet dangerously.

This area of Elasmodiver is designed to introduce the shark charities and organizations that are working (usually with little or no funding) to counter the pressure that sharks and rays are under.

Supporting these shark protection organizations doesn't have to be a time consuming or expensive proposition (but if you are feeling philanthropic there are many worthy causes). Often, it is simply a matter of adding your name to a petition or agreeing to copy and paste an email to key government officials. The results that you and others can jointly achieve by these small actions can be significant.

Big fishing has a big voice. Large fishing consortiums are able to retain professional lobbyists whose job it is to wine, dine and coerce decision makers into passing legislation in favor of commercial fisheries (which is generally against the best interests of shark populations). Sometimes the only way to go head to head with these companies is by raising an equal amount of money to spearhead a campaign in favor of stricter legislation protecting sharks.

Not all Shark Champions fight with the pen. If you prefer to support a more hands on approach then there are organizations out there like Sea Shepherd that put themselves in harms way because sometimes that is the only way to stop the carnage.

Some organizations are more fiscally responsible than others, some have bigger teeth, and some work purely to educate the masses in the hope that future generations will be more conscious of the plight of sharks, but all of the organizations listed here do more good than harm and whoever you choose to support, the sharks will benefit.

If you would like your organization to be featured on this page please contact elasmodiver.

Oceanic Defense

OCEANIC DEFENSE

Oceanic Defense is a global organization with members in more than 60 countries with 1 mission - healthy aquatic ecosystems free of human abuse and neglect. Oceanic Defense aims to change perception - to really show people that how we live our lives - whether near or far from the water - affects everything that happens in our oceans.

Predators in Peril

PREDATORS IN PERIL
The Predators in Peril Project aims to draw attention to the plight of poorly known but highly vulnerable shark and ray species which are largely ignored by conservation movements because of their inaccessibility.

The project involves working in the field with artisanal shark fishermen and scientific researchers to obtain live images and video footage of rare and endangered elasmobranchs in their natural habitats. Each field expedition is accompanied by an intensive media campaign consisting of public exhibitions, magazine articles, internet promotion, and television and radio interviews.

Sea Shepherd

SEA SHEPHERD
Sea Shepherd is best known for its frontline work protecting marine mammals but its broader mandate is to protect all ocean creatures. Styled on the more widely publicized organization Greenpeace, Sea Shepherd continued to grow teeth where Greenpeace lost them through inactivity. Sea Shepherd's founder Captain Paul Watson has a reputation for pursuing illegal whalers and longliners, harassing seal cullers, organizing rallies, and generally irritating governments that would rather turn a blind eye, and infuriating fishing consortiums who would rather go about their illegal and often cruel practices unnoticed.

Sea Shepherd's flag ship The Farley Mowat has harassed shark fishing boats in Costa Rican waters and sent sailors sprawling over their decks after being hit by The Marley Mowat's water cannons.

Captain Watson also manages to fit a lecture circuit into his busy schedule, during which he educates anyone willing to listen on the plight of whales, dolphins, seals, and sharks.

Sea Shepherd's second vessel is on permanent patrol in the Galapagos area where Park Rangers are virtually helpless against the Ecuadorian fishing boats that brazenly ignore the protection afforded to the park by its world heritage site status. Even with Sea Shepherd's vigilant patrols the rangers are so out numbered that fishermen have an almost unimpeded run of the islands and the Galapagos Sharks that once schooled in vast numbers around Darwin Island have all but vanished.

This kind of hard line activism is not for everyone. The Sea Shepherd crew have been deported, locked up, threatened, and roughed up on many occasions. Violent confrontations at sea may not fit with your particular code of behavior or ethics but what makes you more uncomfortable: sponsoring Sea Shepherd's activities that achieve direct results in the protection of endangered creatures, or lobbying deaf government officials while the wholesale slaughter of our oceans sharks and whales continues unchallenged?

If Sea Shepherd seems like a worthwhile organization with which to take a stand, you can help them in a variety of ways. Joining Sea Shepherd with a modest contribution, helps with the provisioning, fueling, and maintenance of their ships. As a member you may also have the chance to sign on as a volunteer for a tour of duty on one of their campaigns. On their website they list what skills they are looking for in new crew members but they also take unskilled deckhands that are willing to work hard.

Shark Alliance

THE SHARK ALLIANCE

The Shark Alliance was formed in 2006 in an attempt to streamline the efforts of NGOs involved in shark conservation. The Alliance is able to utilize the manpower, resources, and combined knowledge of its member organizations to more effectively lobby for sustainable European and global shark fishing limits. Members of the Shark Alliance include The Shark Trust, the European Elasmobranch Association, and The Ocean Concervancy, among others.

In its own words:

The Shark Alliance is a not-for-profit coalition of non-governmental organizations dedicated to restoring and conserving shark populations by improving European fishing policy. Because of the influence of Europe in global fisheries and the importance of sharks in ocean ecosystems, these efforts have the potential to enhance the health of the marine environment in Europe and around the world.

The mission of the Shark Alliance is two-fold: To close loopholes in European policy regarding the wasteful and unsustainable practice of shark finning; To secure responsible, science-based shark fishing limits for long-term sustainability and ecosystem health.

Sharks have evolved over 400 million years and play a critical role in ocean ecosystems. In common with land predators such as lions and wolves, sharks keep other marine populations in check and help maintain the balance of life in the sea. Today, primarily because of overfishing sharks are among the oceans’ most threatened animals. Tens of millions of sharks are killed each year, either intentionally or as bycatch in commercial and recreational fisheries. Ongoing assessment of the status of European sharks (and closely-related rays) by the IUCN (The World Conservation Union) has led to the classification of roughly one third of evaluated species as threatened (either Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable), with another 16 per cent at risk of becoming so in the near future. Sharks generally grow slowly, mature late and produce few young. Shark populations are therefore especially vulnerable to overexploitation and slow to recover once depleted. The loss of these important predators is predicted to have negative effects on many other species in the sea. Unfortunately, however, misinformation and fear all too often impede the public support required to ensure sharks receive management priority and conservation actions. Unlike many countries that fail to conserve sharks, Europe does not lack the resources to restrict fishing. Despite immediate threats facing sharks there are few European limits on shark fishing, and quotas are routinely set far in excess of actual catches. In 2003, the EU adopted a ban on shark finning (the wasteful practice of slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the carcass at sea), but at the same time allowed glaring loopholes that render the ban all but meaningless. For instance, shark fishermen are allowed to land shark carcasses and fins separately, making it all but impossible to tell how many sharks have been processed on board and how many were subjected to shark finning. Meanwhile, the fin to carcass ratio (the means of checking that the number of fins corresponds to the number of carcasses – after sea processing – is within the ban’s limits) is the highest and therefore the most lenient in the world. Europe is home to the some of the world’s largest fishing fleets while its powerful fisheries officials exert influence on international fishing restrictions in many regions of the globe. Poor European shark policies, therefore, pose threats not only to shark populations in European waters but also to those around the world. If fisheries are managed carefully, sharks can provide a steady source of food and recreation and help keep the oceans in balance. The Shark Alliance is dedicated to ensuring that these valuable yet vulnerable animals survive and thrive for the benefit of ocean ecosystems and the people that depend on them.

Shark Angels

SHARK ANGELS

The Shark Angels are raising awareness on the plight facing sharks, giving the world a new perspective on these misunderstood animals, and often, in the trenches, stopping the slaughter of sharks, protecting them from our collective greed and ignorance. Instead of talk, we are all about action. We are making a difference.

The Angels have a singular goal and believe that by harnessing the power of the passionate, together, we have the power to do what many disbarment efforts cannot: together we can save sharks. The Shark Angels raise awareness to the critical issues and also attempt to change perspectives.

And through their “special ops” team, some of us are even in the trenches – far more “007” than “GI Joe”. We go to the last remaining shark strongholds where we are needed most, documenting and exposing the true issues, identifying the scope of the issues and using the media to bring about change, developing targeted campaigns and then, inspiring local shark angels, empowered through the Angel’s support network, to take on the grassroots campaigns and battle for the animal no one else seems to be fighting for.

Through action, lead a worldwide movement to save sharks.

Inspire and mobilize the public to lead and fuel the grassroots movement to save sharks forming a much-needed army of Shark Angels throughout the world.
Aggregate the disparate conservation efforts into a single, cohesive cause through a shark angel portal. Leverage new social media and technology to the fullest.
Provide the world with examples of clear paths of action to save sharks – in whatever way is most comfortable for them – direct action, awareness/education, scientific research or grassroots activism.

Launch a globally connected, though locally targeted, campaign to end the worldwide slaughter.

Develop Shark Angel spheres of influence. Providing ongoing support and training to local Shark Angels in shark strongholds while providing these communities with the tools necessary to fuel awareness, enforcement, education and direct action campaigns.
Create an informant network of Shark Angels that are empowered with the tools necessary – using whatever means is most appropriate.
Perform investigative assessments and diving deep into the complex issues surrounding sharks to truly understand and deal with them effectively.
Protect sharks in the places where they still thrive and empowering communities to stop their continued mass destruction.

Bring the issues facing sharks into public consciousness.

Convince the world they need to care about the existence of sharks – who are critical to the health of our planet primarily through guerilla marketing campaigns.
Leverage the media and bringing much needed awareness to a frightening truth - that sharks are ruthlessly being chased towards extinction.

Improving the image of sharks.

Give the world a new perspective on sharks in mainstream media – both television and online - while shattering common myths, proving sharks aren’t what they seem – removing the biggest barrier to their conservation.

sharkfreemarinas.com

SHARK FREE MARINAS INITIATIVE

SHARK-FREE MARINAS: REDUCING WORLDWIDE SHARK MORTALITY

The Shark-Free Marina Initiative has a singular purpose, to reduce worldwide shark mortality. We encourage shark conservation at sport fishing and resort marinas by prohibiting the landing of any shark at the participating marina. The SFMI works with marinas, fishermen and like minded non-profit groups to form community conscious policy and increase awareness of the need to protect our sharks, our ocean and our legacy.

Participating marinas encourage sport shark-fishermen to exercise catch-and-release techniques. The acceptance of catch-and-release fishing techniques represents an incremental step in protecting valuable marine resources as well as providing valuable data for research organizations.

www.sharksavers.org

SHARK SAVERS
Shark Savers is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to saving sharks through building awareness, education, and grassroots action.

Shark Conservation Education and Empowerment:

Shark Savers' first and ongoing program educates people about the value of sharks to the ecosystem and counters the myths that keep people from caring about their plight. We develop and deliver educational presentations and create materials so that others may further the cause of shark conservation in their community.

Other Shark Savers Projects:

Glover's Reef Park for Sharks

Shark Savers has joined with the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science to create shark Marine Protected Areas, or "Parks for Sharks, that not only succeed in protecting sharks, but also can become financially self-supporting and educationally nourish its supporters.

Stopping Demand for Shark Fin Soup in China

Shark Savers has joined WildAid to deliver the most complete campaign ever in China to generate awareness around the dangers of shark fin soup and the commitment to stop eating it.

http://www.sharktrust.org

THE SHARK TRUST

The Shark Trust was established in 1997 to study, protect, and manage the elasmobranch species found in UK waters and internationally. It is a member of the European Elasmobranch Association and works with other EEA organizations to counter the enormous fishing pressure that European shark and ray stocks are under.

The Shark Trust's mandate includes:

Introducing effective management on a regional basis to regulate shark and ray fisheries and ensure that they are sustainable.
Reducing shark and ray bycatch and mortality in other fisheries.
Increasing research efforts on the biology of sharks and rays and their fisheries, including the promotion of a collaborative tag and release program.
Improving records of catches, landings, and international trade in species of sharks and rays.
Improving management of critical habitats, including nursery grounds, under threat.
Increasing the amount of information available to the public and decision makers.

The Shark Trust encourages scientists, divers, fishermen, anglers, and the general public to join the growing number of ST members that currently lend their support.

Your membership in The Shark Trust adds to the pressure that it is able to be put on governing and regulatory agencies, and helps spread awareness on the plight of sharks and rays in general.

Subscription to The Shark Trust carries no obligation on your part unless you wish it to. However, if you would like to help educate or raise funds your added contribution will be most welcome.

Shark Trust members receive the trust's magazine/newsletter 'Shark Focus' 3 times per year. This is a glossy publication that chronicles the latest work of the trust and has articles on a variety of shark and ray subjects. Upon joining the trust you will also receive i.d. posters of British shark and ray species and other Shark Trust goodies.

The Shark Trust also hosts a highly informative website with sections on all aspects of sharks and rays. The site also contains a good image database of elasmobranch species and an active and well moderated forum for anyone wishing to talk sharks.

http://whitesharktrust.org

WHITE SHARK TRUST

The South African based White Shark Trust is "a non-profit organization founded in 2002 to promote and conduct research, education and conservation projects on the endangered Great White Shark"

It is the brain child of Michael Scholl (founder and trustee) who has been conducting research on Great White Sharks since 1997.

The goals of the White Shark Trust are as follows:

To establish a fund in the Republic of South Africa for the purpose of receiving grants and donations from international sources as well as sources within the Republic of South Africa;
To manage and disburse such funds in the furtherance of the objectives of the Trust;
To promote dialogue between various research, conservation, education and Government bodies concerned with management, research, conservation and education concerning the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias);
To assist in providing relevant advice on the management of the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias);
To obtain the support for the objectives of the White Shark Trust from local residents living around concentration hotspots for the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), including Mossel Bay, Dyer Island / Gansbaai and False Bay in particular;
To obtain the support for the objectives of the Trust from the established tourism industry involved with the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) located at Mossel Bay, Dyer Island / Gansbaai and False Bay in particular;
To ensure that effective action is taken in all matters affecting the welfare and preservation of the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias);
To promote educational opportunities for the general public, schools and the tourism industry;
To conduct and support scientific research projects and field expeditions with regards to the Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias)."

In connection with other like-minded South African organizations, the work of the White Shark Trust is of primary importance in order to better understand the critical role that White Sharks play in balancing the marine environment. Without their joint efforts we are unable to identify the need for better shark protection.

WildAid

WILDAID

WildAid's mission is to end the illegal wildlife trade in all species in our lifetime.

WildAid's Shark Conservation Program seeks to reduce the threats to sharks caused by over-fishing and over-consumption of shark products and by wasteful practices such as finning and needless bycatch. They also aim to improve data-collection and research, to advocate protection for individual species under international agreements and conventions and to support Marine Reserves and other key areas where sharks are protected.

Since 2000, their Shark Conservation Program has successfully elevated the international profile of sharks and has highlighted the importance of conserving sharks globally. This has contributed to the achievement of finning legislation in the European Union, international protection for two shark species and a UN resolution addressing the shark finning problem as well as a significant decrease in consumption of shark fins in key Asian countries.

WildAid is currently focusing on two key areas, Central and South America, as major sources of shark fin in addition to their consumer-side awareness and demand reduction campaigns. At the same time they continue to work towards strengthening international laws to protect sharks and to encourage the view that sharks are more economically valuable to governments as a tourist attraction than as a source of meat or fins.

More Shark Protection Organizations will be added as time permits.