The 30×30 initiative is one of the most ambitious conservation goals in human history. It is a global commitment to designate 30% of the Earth’s land and ocean area under protection from human impacts by the year 2030. While the goal covers both land and sea, the marine component is particularly urgent, since the ocean is the largest feature by surface and volume on our planet. However, with less than 10% protection, the ocean contains the most exploited ecosystems on the planet.
Read MoreTrump Announces New Shark Sanctuary
Today President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order proclaiming the first Sanctuary for Sharks in US waters. Under Executive Order EO 14396, Preserving America’s Sharks, the President signed into law the San Francisco Bay as the first Shark Sanctuary in US Waters.
Read MoreUrgent Measures Taken for Endangered Hammerheads
Governments at the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) have agreed to significant new protections for some of the world’s most endangered species of large sharks.
The decisions adopted at the the 15th Conference of the Parties (CoP15) in Campo Grande, Brazil last week included new listings of Hammerhead and Thresher sharks on CMS Appendix, I, the highest amount of protection provided internationally.
Read MorePacific Fishery Council Targets Marine Monuments
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) announced it has taken final action to restore commercial fishing in parts of the Pacific Islands Heritage, Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench, and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monuments, citing the need for local community access and economic development. The recommendation includes allowing longline and purse seine fishing within 50–200 nm of specific areas.
Read MoreSaving Endangered Sharks SharkStewards
international discussions to increase trade and catch protection for endangered hammerhead and thresher sharks are underway at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP15). In Hawaii, the Fisheries Council is taking Trump’s directive to open Marine National Monuments in the Hawaiian Islands and South Pacific to commercial fishing. Meanwhile, millions across the country are a rising tide of momentum to save the ocean and our rights at No Kings.
Read MorePacific Fishery Council Targets Protected Areas
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council announced its intentions to allow U.S. fishermen to fish in U.S. Pacific Federally Managed Marine Protected Areas at its 206th meeting this week.
Read MoreCMS Conference Proposes New Shark Protection
At the CMS COP15 conference (March 2026), key proposals include listing three thresher shark species—pelagic, bigeye, and common thresher on Appendix I for strict protection. Other sharks proposed for protection due to population declines include great and scalloped hammerheads, various angelsharks, and wedgefishes.
Read MoreComment to Stop New Drilling
eadline today, March 13, 2026 to comment to the Bureau of Land Management to stop proposed opening up of California lands to oil development.
Read MoreListen to the Sea
Taira’s Tide: Listen to the Sea is a short video series following Big-Island born Taira Aoki as she dives into the water, not just as a host but as someone rooted in these islands and striving to expand her knowledge.
Read MoreProtect Indonesia’s Endangered Sharks and Rays
An Urgent Appeal to Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono Indonesia is the world’s largest shark-fishing nation. While the world watches, millions of sharks and rays—including species on the absolute brink of extinction—are […]
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