Shark Safe Events - Action Plan

• Action Plan:
  
  Plan a Shark Safe Event:
  
  

  	Community Festival that includes shark education and films - Whale Shark Festival in Isla Mujeres (http://www.whalesharkfest.com/)
  	Shark education event at an aquarium, science museum or other venue - Shark Savers Events (http://www.sharksavers.org/en/get-involved/events.html)
  	Enter more shark conservation films into local film festivals
  	Give presentations to schools, community organizations and clubs. Possibly have a reception afterwards - make it fun.

  
  
  There are lots of possibilities - contact us for help with planning and organizing. And let's share ideas!
  
  Food Festival that serves shark product(s):
  
  

  	First identify and contact a local organization that has an interest in the issue, and ask them to get involved. For example an Aquarium, a School of Marine Biology, a Marine Research / Conservation organization, a Health Organization. Find out how you can best support their efforts. Offer to recruit volunteers, provide materials and resources from Shark Safe Network that might be helpful, etc.
  	Write to / Call Event Organizers and Sponsors - request that they stop promoting consumption of shark.
  	Write to / Call the Restaurant serving the dish to ask them to substitute a sustainable seafood item for the shark. Explain why the alternative is the better choice.
  	To all parties, explain the health problems associated with shark consumption and the environmental issues. Provide backup for your claims.
  	Contact the press - provide reporters with data on the health and environmental issues. Shark Safe Network can assist you. Include sources for all your facts.
  	Promote the campaign through social networking, blogs and Internet forums. Spread the word!

  
  
  Event that serves shark fin soup:
  
  

  	Educate and inform attendees of the event about why this item is unhealthy, damaging to the environment and irresponsible. Encourage them to refuse to eat the item and to explain why they are refusing to eat the item.
  	Decline the invitation and let the host know why you are declining the invitation. Try to persuade them to substitute another menu item.

  
  
  Festival that includes a Kill Shark Fishing Tournament
  
  

  See Shark Safe Tournament Action plan

  
  
  A party that includes fishing for and killing sharks
  
  

  	Try to persuade the host to change to a different activity or at least agree to release any sharks caught
  	Decline the invitation and explain why