Shark Newsletter October 24, 2025
National Marine Sanctuary Day is celebrated annually on October 23 to honor the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. This Act established the National Marine Sanctuary System to protect marine waters and wildlife, heritage, and the economy, and to promote stewardship and engagement. National Marine Sanctuary Day is intended to increase awareness about the importance of the National Marine Sanctuary System for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. It is a day to celebrate the many recreational opportunities available for the enjoyment of this network of protected waters. This system of 18 National Marine Sanctuaries, from Maine to Hawai’i, are the pride of national maritime heritage, cultural and marine habitat and wildlife. For over 50 years this system has functioned to protect our coasts and ocean, but is now at risk.
Northern Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary- taken on our Sanctuary adventure October 19, 2025. Protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection act and the Sanctuaries Act, these whales are recovering from near extinction after intense whaling.
As Congress dithers, there are forces at work to weaken the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, allowing industry to bypass permitting and environmental assessment. At the same time, proposals to weaken the Endangered Species Act and The Marine Mammal Protection Act would allow taking and harming protected marine wildlife. Additionally, the Trump administration intends to open up the East and West coast to oil drilling in the upcoming 5-year Offshore Leasing Program.
We must act now to defend almost 50 years of habitat and wildlife protection in our ocean!
Read how these three laws are bringing back the Southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) back from the brink of extinction.
Ocean Academy and Run 4 Sharks
To save endangered sharks and protect ocean health we must engage youth and inspire youth action. The Ocean Academy is a pilot program bringing ocean experiences inland to underserved, and deserving youth. Led by our Southern California Chair Maria Korcmaros and South. Jr High Vice-Principal Randy Poggio, nearly a hundred kids have visited wetlands, marine protected areas, cleaned beaches and even visited Catalina Island.
This year, our 8th Annual Run for Sharks and Ocean Health Fair will be held in Anaheim at South Junior High, running and learning about the ocean. Join us November 15th! Volunteer, run virtually or sponsor a kid in the Ocean Academy.
Stop the Ocean Steal – No Kings
On October 18 Shark Stewards added 1,000 people to the 7 million Americans by leading the No Kings Berkeley-Oceans event.
Sharks, frogs, T rexes, kids, and musicians peacefully protested the Trump Administration’s reckless use of the Executive Order, bypassing Congress and the rule of law, threatening whales, sea turtles, fish and marine ecosystems. Appropriately, the event was held on the Freedom Bridge along the Mario Savio path as an expression of our right to assemble and voice our concerns over US citizen’s rights, and upholding the constitution. Stop the Ocean Steal is our campaign to protect our nation’s marine habitat and marine species. Use your voice- and vote for the ocean.
EVENTS
- Bi-Weekly- Shark Science, Education and Action-Shark Team Zooms.
Volunteers welcome. Sign up
October Sharktober Event Canceled, Our Friends Furloughed - Since 2009 Shark Stewards has partnered with the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary celebrating sharks and our national marine sanctuary. Due to the shutdown the event has been canceled, and NOAA staff are sitting at home without pay, instead of educating, researching and managing some of our nation’s most precious places. Write your congressman and tell them to bring US employees back to work, support health care and defend our Sanctuaries Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act! (what is SHARKTOBER?)
- November 14, Survey and Cleanup 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Plastic survey, water monitoring and shark education activities. Shark science and fun! Learn about our shark, ray and water monitoring project at Aquatic Park, Berkeley CA
- November 15 @ 09:00 am – 12:00 pm Run 4 Sharks and Ocean Health Fair.
- 5k/1 mile run and walk, ocean science and health education to benefit our Youth Ocean Academy, at South Junior High, Anaheim CA. Sign up or Volunteer for kids!
- December 14 Survey and Cleanup 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Cleanup and data collection day. Learn about our ongoing shark and ray disease tracking, water monitoring and plastic branding
- Aquatic Park, Berkeley CA
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 Stewards
Shark Stewards receives the highest approval by Charity Navigator, is 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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Shark Stewards, 2150 Allston Way, Suite 460, Berkeley CA 94704
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