World Reef Day for One World Ocean

Saving Reefs World Ocean Day, Taking Action for the Ocean

June 2, 2023 Newsletter

Palmyra Atoll and the Palmyra Atoll Research Consortium Documenting Marine Life (Image Ian Shive Tandem Stills & Motion)

Comment Period Ends to Support Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary June 2

In 2006 we dove with the California Academy of Sciences research team at Palmyra Atoll documenting marine life, assessing the shark population and making a film in support of the designation Pacific Remote Island (PRI) Marine National Monument. With the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument north of Hawai’i, the PRI is currently proposed for National Marine Sanctuary designation. These new National Marine Sanctuaries will increase protection for sharks, sea turtles, coral reefs and other marine life, provide funding for increased study and marine debris removal.
This is one of the most remote, healthiest and sharkiest places in USA territorial waters and deserves further study and protection. The comment period in support of the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary ends June 2nd.

Please sign the linked letter to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration in support of protecting these precious places.
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Happy Following World Reef Day, Today we have an opportunity to support increased protection for coral reefs in two new Pacific National Marine Sanctuaries. Next week, June 8 is World Ocean Day. On World Ocean Day, people around our blue planet celebrate and honor our one shared ocean, the ocean that connects us all. The critically endangered oceanic whitetip shark (pictured above) is pan-global, swimming in tropical and temperate waters crossing the open sea. Representing the world ocean, this vanishing shark is our symbol and focus to save from extinction. Join us at one of our Events celebrating and taking action for sharks and ocean health, check our campaigns or conduct your own beach cleanup, snapshot or shark celebration! Events  Another Dead Shark Epidemic Hits San FranciscoIn the past two months we have received reports of over 20 dead and dying sharks in the San Francisco bay and outer coastline. Most of these are leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) a smaller, bottom dwelling shark with splendid coloration and a gentle disposition. Since sharks do not have swim bladders, most dead sharks sink before washing ashore, making those observed the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fish mortality. These harmless sharks, along with their shallow water cousins, the bat ray (Myliobatis californica), are abundant in the Bay and coastal areas, and are an indicator of Bay health. With warming Bay water temperatures and a projected El Niño, we are mapping and monitoring these die offs, reporting to the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. If you observe a dead or dying shark, or want to learn more about California sharks, please scan the QR code and report it. THE DIVING EVENT OF THE YEAR! JUNE 3-4, 2023 Join us at the SCUBA SHOW Long Beach, the coast’s largest dive event with manufacturers, dive companies and Shark Stewards, educating and advocating for sharks! Come visit the Shark Stewards team learning about sharks and the importance of shark diving to conservation, including a conversation on the recent developments at Guadalupe Island. Visit us at our booth #755 and our partners Waterhorse Charters to learn about the sevengill shark ID and Shark Watch project. Win an opportunity to take a free California Shark 101 course, and dive with our team September 2 with Waterhorse and search for sevengill sharks!Take the survey and enter an opportunity to dive with us and do a shark survey in La Jolla Cove with Shark Stewards and Waterhorse Charters. Dive in and Join Us!