Truemors| On September 25, 2009 Palau declared itself the world's first National Shark Sanctuary and called for an international ban on shark-finning. Please thank Palau for this historic and important shark-saving action.
Dear President Toribiong, We congratulate and offer our deep gratitude to you and to the people of Palau for your courageous and intelligent creation of the National Shark Sanctuary in Palau. We agree with your statement, Mr. President, that "the strength and beauty of sharks are a natural barometer for the health of our oceans". We realize this is just a beginning and we support Palau in its desire to diligently enforce, as well as seek international assistance to enforce, these new shark protections. We also want to acknowledge the efforts of the Palaun organizations whose efforts helped to create the National Shark Sanctuary. The Belau Tourism Association, Palau Visitors Authority, and Palau Chamber of Commerce faciliated the efforts of Shark Savers and other NGOs and individuals as we sought to defeat Palau Senate Bill 8-44, which threatened to re-open commercial shark fishing. The Palau Shark Sanctuary is an NGO that has worked for years to establish the National Shark Sanctuary in Palau. |
Palau pioneers 'shark sanctuary' | Photo 02
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NP! ID: 2509745
Title: Palau pioneers 'shark sanctuary' | Photo 02
File Size: 545 × 394 – 26.08 KB
Created: Thu, 11/05/2009 - 8:04am
Modified: Thu, 11/05/2009 - 10:08am
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at 14:03 on November 5th, 2009
On September 25, 2009 Palau declared itself the world's first National Shark Sanctuary and
called for an international ban on shark-finning.
Dear President Toribiong,
We congratulate and offer our deep gratitude to you and to the people of Palau for your courageous and intelligent creation of the National Shark Sanctuary in Palau.
at 05:55 on November 8th, 2009
Help save sharks by spreading the word.
In the true-life documentary Sharkwater, director and biologist Rob Stewart sets out on a journey through 15 countries over five years, documenting the plight of our oceans through the eyes of one of the world's most misunderstood creatures, the shark.
As species of sharks are becoming extinct due to poaching, you can do your part by telling your friends to see Sharkwater and pass on the message that sharks are not man-eating monster and need our help!
Save the sharks, save the world.
Forward this email on to ten of you friends, or better still ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS and let them know they can help by seeing Sharkwater and spreading the word.
For more information, please visit www.sharkwater.com
at 13:17 on November 15th, 2009
Watch the
Shark Angels Video
Alison Kock, Julie Andersen, Kim McCoy
Sea Shepherd has long been committed to shark conservation, and in 2007 it took this commitment to an even higher level by co-founding the Shark Angels alliance. The Shark Angels' first project is a short film with the goal of personalizing sharks in a way that will help to bridge the gap in human understanding, resulting in a call to action to save sharks.
The Shark Angels alliance-consisting of Kim McCoy, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Director; Julie Andersen, Shark Savers Director; and Alison Kock, Save Our Seas Foundation Head Field Biologist-hopes that this short film will help to open the hearts and minds of the public and increase awareness of the plight of sharks and their struggle for survival as a species.
Shark Angels underwater filming session
Alison Kock, Julie Andersen, Kim McCoy
An underlying goal of this project is to capture the Shark Angels interacting with sharks in a way that will show a softer side and build on the work that Rob Stewart has already begun with his award-winning film, Sharkwater. In doing so, McCoy, Andersen, and Kock hope to bridge the gap in human understanding and alter the public perception of a horribly misunderstood species, resulting in a call to action.
"Sharks are being killed for the vanity of humanity," said Sea Shepherd Director Kurt Lieber who joined the Shark Angels team on this expedition. "The Asian market demand for shark fin soup is driving many populations of sharks to the brink of extinction. The Shark Angels project is one way to raise the awareness of the plight of the sharks, and anyone who sees it will come away feeling as I do, understanding that the hype that Hollywood and pop-culture has bestowed on sharks is not based in reality. Sharks are top predators in the ocean, and just like wolves, they have a place in the wild that no other animal fills. They are gorgeous, graceful, curious animals that need our help to assure that they survive this shortsighted assault on their ability to exist. The Shark Angels project has great potential to have people see for themselves how misunderstood these animals are."
With 100 million sharks being ruthlessly killed each year, there are not enough Sea Shepherds in the world to defend them against human greed and exploitation. By working together rather than duplicating one another's efforts, the Shark Angels alliance maximizes the use of limited resources and enables each arm-scientific research, education, and enforcement-to focus exclusively on its respective area of expertise. Recognizing the value inherent in a diversity of shark conservation approaches, the Shark Angels aim to make this issue accessible to the public and inspire people to demand the protection of sharks on a governmental level.
"Sharks have inhabited our planet for 450 million years, since before the time of dinosaurs. If we are able to not only help people understand the vital role sharks play in ecosystems and the impact this has on all species, including humans, but also to dispel the myth that sharks are ruthless man-eaters, I will consider this project a success," said McCoy.
Sea Shepherd, celebrating over 30 years of marine wildlife conservation, is proud to be a member of the Shark Angels alliance and remains strongly committed to increasing the protection of sharks and their habitats worldwide.
Below are some preliminary images from the expedition.
Jim Abernethy, Kim McCoy,
Rob Stewart, Kurt Lieber
back: Jim Abernethy, Rob Stewart;
front: Alison Kock, Julie Andersen, Kim McCoy
back: Kurt Lieber, Eric Cheng, Shawn Heinrichs,
Jim Abernethy, Rob Stewart, Rob,
Christopher Chin, Wade, Don;
front: Julie Andersen, Kim McCoy, Alison Kock
© All photos Copyright Eric Cheng
P.O. Box 2616, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(USA) Tel: 360-370-5650 Fax: 360-370-5651
All contents copyright ©2009 Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
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