Show Support for NJ Bill S1764/A2719 to protect sharks

Please help show support for the NJ Bills S1764/A2719, which have been written to prohibit the sale and possession of Shark Fin in New Jersey. 

Take a brief moment to prepare an email to legislators to show your support of the bill.  Here's an example you can use.  Thanks to Shark Angels for providing the email.  This is just a template and should be modified with your own words, to be more effective.

You can find your local legislators on this website

SUBJECT: Please support S1764/A2719 to protect sharks and our oceans

Dear Legislator,

Every year, tens of millions of sharks are killed primarily for their fins. In just a few decades, some regional shark populations have declined by over 95%, and their populations continue to plummet. Due to the economics at stake, shark finning, the primary reason sharks are caught, is unsustainable, and often unregulated, illegal and inhumane. Fins bought in New Jersey support this industry and are driving the staggering decline in shark populations.

Reducing demand for shark fin through legislation is the quickest and most effective way to save sharks from extinction. The entire West Coast -- California, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii -- and the U.S. territories Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have already enacted bans on the shark fin trade. It is my hope New Jersey will exhibit similar leadership and join them.

S1764/A2719 will allow New Jersey to make a critical impact on decimated shark populations that play an important role in keeping our oceans healthy.

Please support the bipartisanS1764/A2719. In doing so, you will be giving sharks a much needed chance to recover, while protecting our oceans, and all who depend upon them.

Help Support Bale-Comeau Shark Conservation Project

Only a few more votes are need to get this project off the ground!  Vote everyday from now through Friday.

Vote Now

Sharks in Deep Trouble

WCPFC Proposal – Conservation Measures for Oceanic Whitetip Sharks

Noting the Scientific Committee’s concern about the steep declining standardized catch rates and size trends of oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) in longline and purse seine fisheries in the western and central Pacific Ocean and the Committee’s recommendation that the WCPFC consider mitigation measures for the species at its eighth regular annual session.

Read the full story here:

WCPFC Proposal – Conservation Measures for Oceanic Whitetip Sharks

Epic Diving Featured on the Cover of Brazilian Dive Magazine

Daniel Botelho is an award winning photojournalist that specializes in underwater photography. His work can be seen in more than a hundred advertising campaigns. Daniel’ s connection with nature dates back to his childhood, as he grew up in between the sea and the rainforest, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Nowadays Daniel contributes to several publications, in more than twenty countries.

In May 2011, Daniel came out with Epic Diving to photograph the Oceanic Whitetips. He left the island with amazing images. We were proud to learn that his photos made the cover story of Mergulho, the largest dive magazine in Brazil.

Daniel remains concerned with the devastation of the earth’s oceans, Daniel has become a warrior for whales and sharks which are being massacred through unsustainable practices which if left unstopped will lead to the extinction of these animals.

We are proud of the work Daniel's doing and look forward to having him back out on Cat Island. Be sure to check out a full gallery of Daniel's Images at www.epicdiving.com

Sharkman Mike Rutzen Trip Report

Sharkman Mike Rutzen

Trip Report
May 22 - 28, 2011

We had a very special week with Mike Rutzen from Shark Diving Unlimited in South Africa. Not only did we have four days and countless hours with the Oceanic Whitetips, but our favorite shark Miranda graced us with her presence again. We also had a more Blacktips and Caribbean Reef sharks. Finally, to end the season, we had two days with blue sharks.

   

Our first Blue shark of the season


Having a couple of Oceanics and a Blue was a real treat!  After about an hour though, Miranda had enough and the two sharks squared off.  It was a tense and amazing moment, but Miranda asserted her dominance and the Blue took off in retreat.


The much larger Oceanic Whitetip chased off the Blue

 
The following day, a different Blue swam up the slick first, and stayed with us for a few hours.  During that time, more Oceanics had arrived!


Mike Rutzen lining up Miranda and the Blue Shark

A win for shark protection proponents

GREAT news today! The government of the Bahamas agreed to pass legislation to prohibit the export of any shark or shark product from the Bahamas. Thanks to the Bahamas National Trust, PEW, Guy Harvey Research Institute, and all those who who supported this project. A special thanks to the local community on Cat Island for joining us at the meeting and signing the petition. It was an honor to be a part of this!


Read the full story here