View this email in your browser December News 12.18.23 |
 Alyssa Rodrigues and Oceanic Whitetip shark. Scene from our film Kahu Manō, in production. The oceanic whitetip shark is a slow-growing, globally threatened species that have been seriously overfished by fisheries around the world, primarily for the fins. Once abundant, oceanic whitetip (OWT) sharks have been depleted on a global scale. International demand for shark fins is the major force behind OWT shark mortality. The fins are exported from around the globe to Asia, particularly China, for use in shark fin soup. Once the most common pelagic shark, the numbers of these sharks has dwindled dramatically. IUCN classifies the oceanic whitetip shark as Critically Endangered. Despite a loss of over 95% of the pacific population, fins from these sharks are still for sale in the Hong Kong market. The island of Hawai’i hosts a small population of these enigmatic sharks, and are the subject of our new documentary Kahu Manō. Hawaii was first in the USA to ban the shark fin trade, and has banned all shark fishing- including a new regulation substituting wire leaders for monofilament thereby reducing bycatch of OWTs in the Pacific significantly. We hope to use this short film as an example for the rest of the world to follow: to revere, respect and protect sharks, and increase protection for oceanic whitetips by eliminating trade, bycatch and take of these magnificent sharks. Learn More Celebrate Sharks Tonight Tis’ the season to celebrate sharks! Join the Shark Stewards team tonight (12/19 1830 PST) for our annual online event with a summary of our campaigns, shark activities, fun and action. We are giving prizes in our shark quiz, including some of our holiday swag pictured, and free shipping for our signature hammerhead and manta t shirts until January 1. Join the team by RSVP here, and check out what we are doing to create community based conservation areas at sharkstewards.org. Have a great holiday season! David McGuire, Director Shark Stewards |
Give- and Get the Gift of Sharks
Thanks to our board member Pamela Comstock for developing the Art for Sharks program. Check out the original art donated by photographers Linda Blanchard and Kelly Bracken, Painters Dana James Lamb and Caleb Cove, Illustrators Sean Nelms and Madison Clell, and Sculptor Kevin McHughes.
Donate on the Charity auction site Better World, and be rewarded with tax-deductible art, and help save critically endangered sharks.
Join the Shark Team- Wherever You Live
We are a team of passionate students, divers, artists, scientists and ocean lovers. Please join us in community science, online education and in person engagement. We can’t do it without you!
Act Now to Save Sharks
To keep sharks swimming, it is urgent we protect them, including the ecosystems they inhabit.
With your support, we keep sharks swimming and the ocean healthy. We value your time, your passion, and any size donation.Shark 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.
Will you help us save sharks with your donation?
Copyright © | 2023 | SHARK STEWARDS | All rights reservedOur mailing address is:
Shark Stewards, PO Box 617, Sausalito, CA 94966
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