| Saving Sharks and Protecting Marine Habitat- Sharktober newsletter 10/31/2024 |
View this email in your browserJoin us tonight celebrating sharks!  Ocean Delegates Meet at CoP 16 to Increase Global Marine Protection This week delegates are meeting in Cali, Columbia at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP16). This year the focus is on Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), underscoring the vital synergy between the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the High Seas Treaty. These Significant Areas are critical towards achieving the Global Biodiversity Framework’s (GBF) 30×30 target, which aims to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. The protection of these areas is also essential for establishing High Seas Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement). Pelagic species like oceanic whitetip sharks, and other animals like endangered leatherback sea turtles and sperm whales need large areas to forage and migrate. Ratifications of the High Seas Treaty is building, with 105 countries expressing intent to ratify and 14 committed. Learn about the US efforts to increase our marine protected areas in the N Central and South Pacific. Learn More  Committing to protecting 30% of our public lands and ocean by 2030 by the Biden Administration under The America Beautiful Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries and Monuments are helping achieve this goal. To meet 30 x 30 goals, we are actively supporting the proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary in Hawai’i. Protecting habitat is critical for marine ecosystems, and large protected areas benefit marine megafauna like sharks, seals and sea turtles. Learn More Like Sharks and the Ocean? Vote  Next week, the citizens of the United States face a momentous decision affecting the future of our nation, and the health of our ocean and wildlife. On the one hand, we have a candidate that hates sharks, and rambles about death by sharks or electric boats during his campaign. He has tweeted his disdain while watching Shark Week with a pornstar, and has been convicted of 34 charges of falsifying business records to cover up a payoff to pay the same and influence the election in 2020. This candidate’s previous record includes weakening the Environmental Protection Agency and Endangered Species Act, allowing mining in National Monuments, and proposed fishing in a Marine National Monument before being blocked in court. On the other hand is a candidate representing women’s and indigenous people’s rights in an administration that has banned the sale of shark fin in the USA and increased marine protection significantly in US waters with the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Committed to be upheld by the candidate within the current administration, the “Ocean Climate Action Plan” includes measures for protecting and restoring many marine and coastal ecosystems, stopping climate change with the help of these ecosystems and helping communities depending on them. It is our choice as Americans to decide the fate of the ocean, climate and wildlife. Vote for the Ocean!  October 31 Sharktober Halloween- Film Night and Shark Fun. Sports Basement Berkeley. Costumes and refreshments, supporting the Aquatic Park Stewards program. Shop and receive a discount. December 7. Ocean films on Marine Protection at the Bay Model, Sausalito 1-3:30 pm. With Golden Gate MPA Collaborative, MARE, Environmental Action Committee West Marin, CA Fish and Wildlife, International Ocean Film Festival. Social and photo exhibit. Free event.Visit our website for all events and volunteer opportunities. |
| Join Us! To keep sharks swimming, it is urgent we work together with communities and conservation. Join the team and help keep sharks and marine ecosystems alive and thriving! Join one of our bi-weekly team meetings and pitch in. We need content writers, grant research and donor development, as well as hands on engagement! Donate 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 © | 2024 | SHARK STEWARDS | All rights reservedOur mailing address is: Shark Stewards, PO Box 617, Sausalito, CA 94966 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. |
