August 1, 2025 Newsletter
MPA Day, Attack on Federal Marine Protected Areas and Campaign to Defend Pacific Marine National Monuments
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Aloha,
Our Hawaiʻi chapter hosted a screening of David Attenboroughʻs Ocean in Kona this month, with short films and local ocean educators. This impactful film premiered at the UN Ocean Conference June 8, 2025. In the film, Sir David so eloquently highlights the numerous threats to the ocean and marine life, particularly bottom trawling. A major source of hope at the UN conference and in the film, is the establishment of no-take marine protected areas (MPAs), including the Channel Islands MPAs in California, and the Papahānaumokuākea in Hawaiian waters.
While the California MPAs remain protected in state waters, the federal marine protection in the Pacific is now at risk under the Trump Administration. A painful irony in the filmʻs conclusion is Hawaiian cultural practitioner and champion for the Papahānaumokuākea MNM Pelika Andrade overlooking the remote islands, the same waters proposed for commercial fishing by Executive Order.
These large protected areas benefit endangered seals, whales, seabirds and sharks like the oceanic blacktip (pictured above), but also benefit fishing. Research indicates a 54% increase in yellowfin tuna catch rates and a 12% increase in bigeye tuna catch rates in nearby waters following the monument’s expansion.
New Stop the Ocean Steal Youth Campaign Launched
August 1 is MPA day – a day to recognize the importance of protecting marine species and habitat from fishing and other extractive activity. To counter what are considered unlawful attempts at stripping legal protection from our Pacific Marine Monuments, we have launched a new youth campaign called Stop the Ocean Steal.This youth-led and youth targeted campaign is directed at IUU fishing, overfishing sharks, marine protected areas, and defending our marine monuments from commercial fishing in US protected waters. Targeting the 2026 midterm elections, the aim is to inspire first-time and young voters to come out in support of the ocean. The goal is to create change in the Congress so that our marine protected areas and fisheries are scientifically and legally managed by NOAA under US law. Meet our young champion Ren Hampton, follow the movement on social media including Instagram and help us catalyze youth to get active for the ocean!
Contact Congress: Support Pacific Marine Monuments
Swimming for Pacific Marine Monuments
As an open water swimmer, I use my sport to raise awareness about threats to sharks and the ocean. In August we will be swimming an open water distance swim along the Kona coast to draw attention to our threatened Pacific Marine National Monuments. We are working to defend our Federally marine protected ares from commercial fishing with a new social media, short media and campaign directed at Congress. Follow the swim with updates on Instagram while I train, and swim for sharks and ocean health. We started a GoFundMe for a point to point ocean swim in Bruno’s (our local shark) backyard along the Kona coast August 9 to support this campaign.Thanks for contributing and supporting sharks!
Learn More
EVENTS
August 2 – 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Book Signing and Sharks at Jacks Diving Locker, Kailua Kona More information. Shark education at their 44th year anniversary event! Join us for a live signing of our book Sharks for Kids.
August 9 – 0800 am Ocean Swim for Sharks and Marine Protection- Follow the updates as we swim for protecting our Pacific Marine Monuments on Strava and Instagram. We might even see our local shark Bruno!
August 24- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Back to School Park Cleanup and Berkeley at Aquatic Park.
California Coastal Cleanup Day September 20, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm With East Bay Parks, Aquatic Park Berkeley.
September 21 – November 9 (Sundays) 0730-5:00pm
Sharktober- Devil’s Teeth Farallon Island and Wildlife Adventures
Our 16th year of Sanctuary wildlife tours at the Farallon islands, experiencing marine megafauna and learning about the importance of marine and species protection. From seabirds to sharks, these day-long adventures are exciting and educational, and support our National Marine Sanctuary and CA marine protected areas. Once weekly- weather dependent.
October 12 Sharkfest – Sharks, Science and Ocean Health Fair. Planning Committee Volunteers Apply Here! Shark education, science and fun! Learn about our shark, ray and water monitoring project. Booth availability.
November 15 @ 09:00 am – 12:00 pm Run 4 Sharks and Ocean Health Fair. 5k/1 mile run and walk, ocean education to benefit Youth Ocean Academy. South Junior High, Anaheim CA.
Sign up or Volunteer for kids!
To keep sharks swimming, it is urgent we work together with communities and conservation. Please consider a donation, and join our team to keep sharks and marine ecosystems alive and thriving! Want to help? Join our bi-weekly shark science and action team zooms on alternate Thursdays, 6pm PDT. Click the link for invitation.
Show your love for sharks and ocean health! Please join us urging Congress to maintain, not weaken marine and species protection. Help by signing a petition, writing a letter to your representative, or help by volunteering to protect them.
David McGuire, Director, Shark StewardsShark Stewards is rated highest by Charity Navigator, Platinum-ranked by GuideStar, a member of 1% for the Planet, and a proud project of the Earth Island Institute, a federally registered 501(c)3 non profit.
With your support, we keep sharks swimming and the ocean healthy. We value your time, your passion, and any size donation.
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