Sharks

Sharks are in serious trouble. Many of the world's shark populations are in collapse. Some shark species have declined by more than 90 percent in the last two decades. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) scientists warn that one-third of open ocean sharks are threatened with extinction. Yet sharks continue to be fished faster than they can reproduce.

Losing these top predators has devastating impacts on underwater ecosystems and local economies. Conservation hinges on effective shark finning bans, strict international fisheries management, reduction of consumer demand, increased shark research and protection of vital habitat.

Project AWARE's Protect the Shark Campaign focuses on reducing existing threats to sharks. As a steering committee member of the Shark Alliance and a member organization of IUCN, Project AWARE is closing loopholes in shark legislation and securing international protections. Together with scuba divers and volunteers we're also taking action, conducting research and raising awareness worldwide.

Protect Sharks. What You Can Do:

• Sign Project AWARE's petition to help give sharks a fighting chance. Divers worldwide are outraged at recent failures to protect eight shark species during Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), March 2010. You, your divers, friends and colleagues can demand stronger protection for shark populations.
• Organize regular Whale Shark Project activities or Volunteer with a Whale Shark Operator near you.
• Support Action Plans for Sharks. Most nations don't have shark management plans in place and many existing plans contain loopholes catastrophic for sharks. The FAO International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks aims to ensure sharks long-term sustainability. Find out about related shark measures in your region and urge the enactment of the FAO plan to help protect sharks.
• Discover things you can do to protect sharks including making sustainable seafood choices.
• Rethink Your Purchases. Shark fins and other byproducts used in shark fin soup, cosmetics or dietary supplements support lucrative and destructive shark finning industries. Be sure your purchases don't contribute to this decline.
• Call for Marine Protected Area (MPA) Networks. Support for MPAs and Marine Reserves helps protect shark nursery and feeding grounds - key to their ultimate conservation.