02/02/2024
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Great news for marine protection! Approved in the final days of the Biden Administration, NOAA is currently designating the marine portions of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Hawaiian Islands as America’s 18th National Marine Sanctuary. A 582,570 square-mile area in the Pacific Ocean, the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary is the largest in our National Marine Sanctuary System, and the second largest marine protected area in the world. The Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary will provide additional research and management to protect the area’s significant biological, cultural and religious treasures. These include sacred sites, the healthiest, most intact coral reef in the world, with marine species found only in Hawai’i, including the endangered Monk Seal, the ‘llio holo I ka uaua.
The Sanctuary designation will take effect after 45 days of continuous session of the U.S. Congress, following publication of the final rule. With strong public support, Hawai’i Governor Josh Greene has already approved the Environmental Impact Statement. The official designation is anticipated to take effect March 2025, unless blocked by the Congress or the Trump Administration. (See article below)
National Marine Sanctuary Designation for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
New Petition to Increase International Shark ProtectionShark Stewards is supporting the US Fish and Wildlife Services petition to up-list critically endangered oceanic whitetip and whale sharks, and encouraging them to add hammerhead sharks to Appendix I. As a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the United States may propose amendments to the CITES Appendices for consideration at meetings of the Conference of the Parties. The twentieth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP20) is scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan, November 24-December 5, 2025. We are gathering comments from the public to support amendments for sharks to the CITES Appendices (species proposals) and proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States may submit for consideration at CoP20. Sign the petition in support of the proposal to increase protection for critically endangered Oceanic Whitetip sharks and learn how you can support us as a nongovernmental organization attending CoP20.
CITES permits and regulates the trade of species, including body parts from endangered animals, like shark fins from the Oceanic Whitetip shark (OWT above). The wildlife trade including shark fin has decimated populations of pelagic sharks like the OWT. CITES Appendix I is the strongest international regulation applying to the trade of their fins. In addition to bycatch reduction and ESA protection, CITES is one more tool to prevent extinction of this important and charismatic shark.
Defending Our National Marine Sanctuaries
A new bill in the Congress proposes to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. This important Act protects US marine habitat, underwater natural resources and cultural heritage treasures. The Act also empowers community input on the use of our national marine sanctuaries, and scrutiny to protect the ocean from exploitation and harmful resource extraction.
The proposed law would prevent stakeholders like local business owners, divers, surfers recreational fishermen, outdoor recreation lovers and more, in decisions affecting management of our sanctuaries. It could also bypass permitting requirements from extractive industries like oil, mining and commercial fishing, and impact the newly established Chumash Heritage and Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuaries.
Sign the petition today with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to tell Congress to keep industry out of America’s national underwater treasures.
Sharks & 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 Ocean Academy in Southern California applying art, science, and active ocean participation. Learn more about this and other community education programs on our
Last week our team member Lily Byrne ran the San Francisco Half Marathon for sharks supporting our marine monitoring project. She raised over $1000 with a Go Fund Me to support instrumentation, water analysis and tracking shark morbidity and mortality. Ending today, the fundraiser supports research with students from UC Berkeley and the community, mitigating impacts and restoring habitat for sharks and rays.
You can support one of our campaigns with your own run, swim, walk or education event!
Love a Shark? Give a shark valentine to your loved one and help us save sharks. Donate $25 or more and we will send a custom Shark eValentine!
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 pelagic shark, Shark Stewards is lean, mean and highly effective!
We value your time, your passion, and any size donation. With your support, we keep sharks swimming and the ocean healthy.
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.
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