Shark Safe Network - Member Organizations

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Member Organizations

The Organizations listed below are all part of the Shark Safe Network

These organizations are working hard to protect sharks and all understand, that by working together we are more powerful than working alone. Every one of these groups is comprised of intelligent and passionate people with varied skills and backgrounds. The threats facing sharks are huge and protecting them may seem an overwhelming task. With this combined team of experience, knowledge and commitment to a common goal, however, we believe that the sharks can win!

Please read the summary for each organization to find out what they're doing for sharks and how you can get involved to support these efforts.

This list is far from complete! Please let us know if you would like us to list your organization and promote your initiatives. Contact us here.

International Year of the Shark
The International Year of the Shark is more than a Shark Conservation Organization. It is the inspiration that brings all Shark Conservation efforts together. This vision will ultimately make us all successful!

THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE SHARK was inspired by the finding that at the current rate of rampant overfishing, common shark species will be extinct in 10 to 15 years. Founders, Alex "Sharkman" Buttigieg and Ila France Porcher, felt that urgent action was necessary, and decided to take advantage of the communication potential of the Internet to link together with other shark protection organizations and groups, in a global network Internet think tank - something that has never been possible before.

Through instantaneous communication among us, we can discuss, inspire, synchronize our efforts, maximize our efficiency, and share information, ideas and relevant written material. Together we can target global issues and campaigns with a much stronger force, thus having a better success possibility. We can reach out and raise awareness to a wider spectrum thus showing the real threats that sharks are facing today.

The communication forum for the International Year of the Shark is The Shark Group. The Shark Group is a Google Group, which welcomes all shark conservation groups and everyone who cares about protecting sharks and our oceans.

You can support this ambitious effort by:

Joining The Shark Group, becoming an active participant, and spreading the word
(http://groups.google.com/group/The_Shark_Group?hl=en)

Purchasing IYOTS apparel and other items from the Caf� Press store
(http://www.cafepress.com/let_sharks_live)

http://www.year-of-the-shark-2009.org/

Shark Savers - Our mission is to save the sharks.
Shark Savers is dedicated to saving sharks through awareness, education and action. Their efforts include shark conservation campaigns, petitions and organizing local Shark Savers chapters.

One of their major focuses is educating the public on the dangers of shark fin soup including a soon-to-be-launched awareness campaign in China in collaboration with WildAid. The goal is to reduce the consumption of shark fin soup, the largest cause of shark population decimation. This campaign includes a television public service announcement featuring basketball champion Yao Ming, a dedicated web site to educate the public about shark fin soup, and community-enabled campaigns.

To share the message about sharks with the public, Shark Savers has an ever-growing web site, which is an excellent resource for information about sharks and their conservation. Shark Savers creates presentational and educational material and local public events.

You can support Shark Savers' efforts by donating and by signing up for the e-mail list or the Shark Savers Facebook Cause to find out about current campaigns, petitions and projects.

http://www.sharksavers.org/

Amphibious Warrior Scuba Wear - Clothing with a Cause
AWSW is the Conservation Scuba Clothing Company. This apparel is all eco-friendly and the designs are cool. And a portion of the proceeds goes to supporting marine conservation! AWSW also organizes and participates regularly in grass roots efforts to protect endangered sharks from exploitation and promote sustainable seafood.

You can support AWSW by ordering and wearing this Clothing with a Cause! AWSW will be offering Shark Safe Network apparel soon. Also become a Fan of AWSW on Facebook for marine conservation updates and news about new designs and special offers.

http://www.awscubawear.com/

Fiji Shark Conservation and Awareness Project
As part of the International Year of the Shark, this organization is a partnership of Beqa Adventure Divers, the Shark Reef Marine Reserve and local and international organizations. The common goal is to raise global awareness of the imminent extinction of sharks and the oceanic crisis at hand.

You can support their efforts by visiting the Shark Reef Marine Reserve for your next shark diving adventure or by supporting the Shark Foundation (link) which conducts valuable scientific shark research there. By visiting the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, you will not only have the experience of a lifetime, but will contribute to supporting the local villages who have agreed not to fish this reef and also protect the area from poachers.

http://www.fijishark.com/

IEMANYA Oceanica - Participate in Shark and Ray Conservation
IEMANYA's goal is to create educational programs that raise national and international public awareness of sharks and encourage public and government participation in conservation efforts.

You can support their efforts by Adopting A Shark (link to adoptashark.com) or by volunteering in areas such as research, community outreach, promotions, accounting and other professional services. Young adults can also help by becoming Shark Ambassadors.

http://www.iemanya.org/en/

http://adoptashark.com

Oceanic Defense - Bringing Light to Our Ocean's Plight
A global organization with members in more than 60 countries with 1 mission - healthy aquatic ecosystems free of human abuse and neglect. Oceanic Defense aims to change perception - to really show people that how we live our lives - whether near or far from the water - affects everything that happens in our oceans.

To support their efforts, please sign up to become a member of the Aquatic Army, participate in their campaigns and spread the word!

http://www.oceanicdefense.org/

Save the Blue - Hoover Environmental Foundation
The Hoover Environmental Foundation aims to advance public understanding of and find solutions for water conservation issues. The focus of its current Save the Blue campaign is to Stop Shark Finning by supporting cutting edge Shark Research and Education projects.

You can support Save the Blue's efforts by purchasing Save the Blue shark pendants, T-shirts or Messenger Bags. The proceeds will go towards the Shark Research projects listed on their website as well as the creation and distribution of a Chinese version of SharkWater with the goal of reaching 100 million Chinese viewers.

http://www.savetheblue.org/

Shark Allies - Help the Sharks - Save the Ocean
Shark Allies is a non-profit organization founded by Jimmy Hall and Stefanie Brendl of Hawaii Shark Encounters. Their goal is to bring together and combine the efforts of experts, researchers, educators, activists, volunteers, and all people who care in order to improve the current state of shark conservation and all related issues.

Shark Allies provides positive shark PR to hundreds of tourists every year, changing attitudes towards sharks and dispelling the myths. In addition they are currently developing educational programs to promote ocean and shark conservation in Hawaii's schools. And they are supporting the work of shark researchers from the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology Shark Research Group.

You can support Shark Allies by visiting them in Oahu for a shark cage dive or telling friends or family who may be planning a trip to Hawaii. You can also donate to Shark Allies to help them to continue funding Hawaiian Shark Research and Educational programs.

http://www.sharkallies.org

Shark Angels - We Are at War on the Last Frontier
Three powerful and passionate conservationists, the original Shark Angels are Julie Andersen founding member of Shark Savers, Alison Kock Save Our Seas Shark Scientist, and Kim McCoy; Sea Shepherd's Director of Shark Conservation. These Shark Angels are all about action and each brings a unique perspective and complementary skills to the team.

Support Shark Angels by getting involved in shark conservation and becoming a Shark Angel, Shark Guardian or Shark Cherub. Find out how to earn your wings!

http://www.sharkangels.org/

Shark Foundation
The Shark Foundation has been committed to the protection and research of sharks since 1997. This organization supports or manages a number of scientific research and educational projects, which serve to protect sharks. You can support the Shark Foundation's work by donating to help fund this valuable research. For each project there is a donation code, so that you can specify how your donation will be used. Please click on the logo to see details for each of the Shark Foundation's projects and donation instructions.

http://www.shark.ch/Projects/index.html

Shark Project
SHARKPROJECT is an all volunteer organization that is fighting on the very frontlines against the destruction of the seas and the extermination of sharks. This volunteer-based commitment to the protection of sharks and the marine ecosystem has been internationally recognized, including awards from the President of Germany, the German Central Institute for Social Concerns and the Egyptian government.

And SHARKPROJECT is continuing to expand internationally, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, South Africa, Poland, the Maldives, and French Polynesia, and more.

Campaigns:
Stop Finning
MORITURI TE SALUTANT (Stop Sales) - Campaign in German speaking Europe to stop sales of Spiny Dogfish.
Methylmercury - Consumer education regarding mercury toxicity from seafood
Children's programs in cooperation with United Nations Educational Programs - for 8 to 10 year old children to explain the marine food web; the vital important role of the sharks in the marine ecosystem; how to avoid methyl mercury toxicity from seafood consumption; and how to conserve the ecosystem on earth, by the contribution of every single person on the planet.
Shark Guardian and Shark Enemy of the year awards - announced publicly at the Boot fair in Dusseldorf, Germany. Send in your nominations!
Cooperation with exemplary aquariums
Shark Images - annual shark photo contest

You can help the Shark Project by:
Volunteering for Shark Project to teach children about sharks (materials are available only in German at this time; English version coming soon)
Becoming a Shark Project Patron or Sponsor http://www.sharkproject.org/Content.Node/mitmachen/foerderer--sponsoren.en.php

http://www.sharkproject.org/Content.Node/index.en.php

Shark Rescue
Our mission is to protect sharks from extinction.

We are using the power of education to cause lasting change. Once people understand how the shark trade is endangering both shark and non-shark species around the world, and how this affects human health, we believe they will change.

Goals:
See a sustained balance restored to the world's oceans.
See the end of the shark trade.
See a full moratorium on shark fisheries and the longlines that catch sharks and other 'bycatch'.
Since we started Shark Rescue in Hong Kong, our local audacious goal is to see the city become the leader in marine conservation by the year 2020.

You can support Shark Rescue by:
Ordering a T-shirt - "Style, with teeth" - comes with a post card addressed to Hong Kong's Chief Executive with room to include your own personal message.
Joining the Shark Rescue Business Network
http://www.sharkrescue.com/business_network.html
Watching the launch video and sharing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPp9iyKEMNQ

http://www.sharkrescue.com/

StopSharkFinning.net
StopSharkFinning.net is surprisingly the effort of one person who is saddened by the destruction of sharks and the planet. This website and associated campaigns is an awesome example of what one person can do and an inspiration to all of us!

Here's a quote from Duncan, the man behind StopSharkFinning.net: "There are few things that sadden a heart more than to know that you form part of the generation that is bringing the world to its end. Those who place profit higher than ecological well-being are denying your children, and all future generations, the chance to witness the beauty of a creature as magnificent as the shark. Those who treat the planet as a resource to be plundered live among us and I believe they should be challenged. Some of us believe we are powerless. But if we each assume our own personal responsibility to do our part to protect the planet and to fight for the survival of all its species, and ultimately the survival of our own, then we can achieve good things."

You can support the efforts of StopSharkFinning.net by:

Buying and wearing a Stop Shark Finning T-shirt
http://www.stopsharkfinning.net/tshirt.htm
Participating in StopSharkFinning campaigns and petitions -
http://www.stopsharkfinning.net/campaigns.htm

http://www.stopsharkfinning.net/

The Wyland Foundation
The Wyland Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1993 by environmental marine life artist Wyland, is dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world's ocean, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through education programs, life-size public arts projects, and community events.

Support the Wyland Clean Water Challenge:
http://www.wylandcleanwaterchallenge.org/

As the program grows, we hope to reach 57 millions students throughout the United States and, ultimately, every student around the world. To accomplish this, we are asking principals, teachers, parents, businesses, and concerned citizens to join us in implementing this program in classrooms by volunteering as a program spearhead or contributing financial assistance. With your help, we can educate and inspire students from all walks of life to protect and preserve the water systems of our planet- and improve the quality of life for everyone in the future.

http://www.wylandfoundation.org

Dorsal Friends
Dorsal Friends is a non-profit organization that was formed to raise public and political awareness to the ecological damage caused by the practice of "finning" sharks, with the goal of outlawing the sale of shark fins and products in the United States, beginning with municipalities in California.

We are dedicated to protecting marine wildlife and the ocean through awareness, education, and by stimulating environmental activism.

Dorsal Friends is currently circulating a petition to BAN THE SALE OF SHARK FINS AND PRODUCTS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. Although the practice of finning has been illegal in the U.S. since 2002, the importation and sale of shark fins is still legal; a loophole that we are trying to close. If passed, Los Angeles will be the first county in the nation to stop the sale of shark fins and products and will lead the way for the rest of the nation, setting a strong example globally.

http://www.dorsalfriends.org/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/stop-shark-finning

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