Shark Stewards Newsletter March 26, 2025
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Today we are featuring our science team member, Carmen Koepfer, a passionate marine biologist specializing in shark conservation. Carmen is an educator, and a dedicated advocate for marine protection. Growing up in Mexico, she joined the non profit Pelagios Kakunja in 2013, where she contributed to various shark research in the Sea of Cortez. Her Master’s degree focused on the effects of scuba diving on bull sharks and their economic value in Cabo Pulmo National Park. After her degree, she continued with Pelagios Kakunjá, aiding in the creation of educational programs and documentaries like “The Blue Quest” and “Sharks of the Sea of Cortez: A Lost Treasure?”
Now living in Southern California, she is part of the Shark Stewards team advocating for shark protection, and works with our new Inland Ocean Academy to empower youth. Currently, Carmen is contributing to a collaborative project between Pelagios Kakunja and Shark Stewards developing a socioeconomic study in the Sea of Cortez, to create a shark and marine protected corridor in the Gulf of California. This ambitious Marine Corridor Conservation Initiative involves leading the design and implementation of tools, and seeks the protection and conservation of hammerhead and other sharks through the empowerment of local fishing communities.
Carmen is a passionate shark advocate using science and diving as a transformative tool, inspiring others to overcome their fears and dive into the world of sharks. Through her work, we are fostering a new generation of ocean advocates, united in the effort to protect our majestic marine life and marine ecosystems.
Thank you Carmen and all the women who are working so hard to advocate, educate and protect sharks and the ocean we love! Meet Carmen on our biweekly zooms, or on our Shark Safari dive Apri 12.
Carmen observing Bull Sharks at the Cabo Pulmo Marine Reserve, Baja CA Sur MX
New National Marine Sanctuary in Hawai’i
This week, following 45 days of Congress in session, the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary has become our 18th National Marine Sanctuary.
Nominated by NOAA under the last administration, the marine portions of the existing Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument will become the largest in our National Marine Sanctuary System. With over half a million square miles, it is the second largest marine protected area in the world.
The official designation will take place this week following 45 days of continuous sessions of Congress. With over 1300 jobs lost and budget cuts to NOAA, including Sanctuary staff, the 18 National Marine Sanctuaries and fisheries management are facing their biggest challenge. With a coalition of organizations and individuals, we are urging Congress to support NOAA and funding for the National Marine Sanctuary system.
Community Science Helps Protect Sharks and Habitat
Certified SCUBA divers are invited to a unique opportunity to dive and document sharks, including: swell sharks, horn sharks, bat rays, soupfin sharks and sevengill sharks in the La Jolla Cove State Marine Reserve and Point Loma.As part of Shark Watch CA, Shark Stewards is contributing to a community science study in La Jolla cove to document sharks, and collect data using photo pattern ID. Divers can contribute images to the eShark database to help better understand distribution, spatial and temporal distribution while engaging the community to better understand sharks in coastal ecosystems. (Space for 10 divers- topside spaces available)
RSVP and earn more about California sharks and photo ID in our webinar April 10, free to participants.
Our Director David McGuire will be interviewed at the Adventurer’s Club April 3 on Saving Sharks by Diving With Them. The Role of Community Science in Conservation. Public welcome- link in events below.
Enagaging Youth: Inland Ocean Academy
Our growing youth program bringing the ocean to inland communities, (and kids to the sea), just launched its 3rd year at South Junior High School in Anaheim CA. The after-school program event engages ESL and English Learners at the Inland Ocean Academy applying art, science, and active ocean participation. Learn more about this and other community education programs and volunteer on our events page.
EVENTS
- April 1, 11-12pm Golden Gate MPA Collaborative Meeting: Zoom- All welcome RSVP for link.
- April 3, Live Talk at LA Adventurer’s Club 630pm-Saving Sharks by Diving With Them. The Role of Community Science in Conservation.Public welcome.
- April 10, Sharks of California and Community Science -How divers support research and conservation. RSVP for zoom link.
- April 11-13, International Ocean Film Festival Films, talks and gatherings. Cowell Theater, Fort Mason San Francisco
- April 12, Sevengill Shark Safari– 2 tank photo ID SCUBA with Waterhorse Charters and free Sharks of California webinar April 10. Sign up here!
- April 20, Earth Day Marine Debris Survey, Water Monitoring and Cleanup. With Shark Stewards, Aquatic Park, Berkeley 11am-1pm
- April 27, Berkeley Bay Fest Learn about our California Sharks and our Aquatic Park Stewards Program.
- May 3rd, MPA Collaborative Field Event: Saturday, 9:30am-11:30am, Duxbury Reef tide pooling with Co-chair Leslie Adler-Ivanbrook, Environmental Action Committee of West Marin. RSVP to Join- limited space!J
- June 1, 2 SCUBA Show Long Beach. Meet us at our booth and learn how divers are protecting sharks via community science.
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!
Like a shark, Shark Stewards is lean, mean, and highly efficient!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.
With your support, we keep sharks swimming and the ocean healthy. We value your time, your passion, and any size donation
Copyright © | 2025 | SHARK STEWARDS | All rights reserved
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Shark Stewards, 2150 Allston Way, Suite 460, Berkeley CA 94704
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