10/27/15
San Francisco CA,
For Immediate Distribution
Contact: David McGuire Shark Stewards (415) 350-3790, sharksteward(at)gmail.com
Swimmers call out to protect sharks by swimming for them across the San Francisco Bay.
On Sunday November 1, a group of elite swimmers is raising awareness on the plight of sharks by swimming 8 miles across the San Francisco Bay in a swim for sharks. “We want to to raise awareness that shark populations are being destroyed worldwide from overfishing and by shark finning to supply the shark fin soup trade.” Said David McGuire, Director of the San Francisco non profit Shark Stewards. “This time of year attention focuses on white sharks whose local population is recovering from overfishing, but nearly 100 other species are threatened with extinction worldwide.”
Each year it is estimated that 100 million sharks are being killed for their fins alone to supply the shark fin soup demand. In 2012 Shark Stewards helped pass the State of California law banning the sale, trade and possession of shark fin, and fins passing through California ports.
The event will include famous marathon swimmers including Kim Chambers who recently became the first woman to successfully swim from the Farallon Islands to the Golden Gate Bridge this summer. Also swimming will be Simon Dominguez who attempted the first ever swim from the Gate to the Farallon Islands. Three miles out, Dominguez’ hopes were dashed by a circling white shark. Recent white shark activity in the Bay and waters nearby have moved the course from outside the Gate to inside the Bay.
Ten elite swimmers from the group Night Train swimmers will participate in the 8 mile swim raising money for marine protection and stronger anti shark fin laws internationally.
The swimmers will not wear wetsuits during the swim and will endure the rough waters of the San Francisco.
“This is a fun way is to disprove the myth of shark infested waters and prove that although there are many species of sharks in the San Francisco bay, they do not harm people.” Said Shark Stewards Director David McGuire, a swimmer and photographer who produced a film on last years swim, called Swim for Sharks.
“We are concerned about the fate of sharks. Sharks are important for healthy oceans and the health of the San Francisco Bay estuary.” Said Dr. Gretchen Coffman, a professor of Environmental Science at the University of San Francisco, and science advisor to Shark Stewards. “We need to save sharks and protect their habitat before its too late.”
Swimmers can be sponsored for the swim at www.sharkstewards.org