Shark Conservation: You CAN Make a Difference

Everyone and anyone can help sharks and our oceans.

Here are some links and graphics to help.

To book or presentation or get the graphic in high resolution please email me at sharkyjillian@gmail.com

Have a conservation question? ASK ME

Best Fishes,

Sharky Jillian

Key West Fishing Tournament Makes a Bold Move

The Shark Free Marina Initiative not only encourages marinas to sign on, but also for tournaments to change their rules to catch and release. If people insist on catching sharks, at least the animal has a chance. This is still a grey area because they animals are heavily stressed when caught and often die despite being released. Property method needs to be put in place and fishermen need to make the effort in minimizing stress and increase efficiency for the release. Catch and release is not the ideal end point, but it is a giant step in the right direction.

When I read that the Key West Fishing Tournament had made the ground breaking move to no longer accept shark weights towards winning counts I was thrilled. Key West is a Mecca for game fishing, so this was a risky and powerful move on the director’s behalf. I was also excited because if such a well-known and respected tournament makes the change, they will stand as a solid example for other tournaments in Florida and across the United States. This is an all ages tournament as well, so it stands to set an example for younger generations.

It was brought to my attention that within the official rules, “Sharks may be shot while the leader is being handled by a crew member.” This is an obvious conflict of the announcement to make the tournament shark free. I scanned the website and found a contact to ask about the rule. I have dealt with people that organize tournaments in the past and have received very defensive responses and anticipated a less than polite reply. Most often too stubborn to listen to any reason on why their actions might be worth rethinking.



Not only was the response I received polite, but Rob, the director, seemed to be thankful that such a mistake in the edit of the website had been found. We exchanged a few emails and I have even more of a respect for his movement to make change. Often times it is not the locals, but the tourists that put pressure on Florida fishermen. Pressure to find the fish and pressure to kill. At the end of the day the tourists leave and the locals are left with a sea that has been raped. They don’t care that all the sharks they take are having a massive impact on the local and global environment. They just want their trophy to brag about back home.

Below is the email I received from Rob and I do hope to continue working with him. He is one person, just like the rest of us, who spoke up and wants better for the oceans. We all have a voice and it might be tough sometimes, but change is never easy. What is happening in your backyard? What d you want to change.

Thank you Rob and thank you Jason for finding the error in the rules!

Jillian,

My thanks to you for catching that line in the rules. Granted it would have been offset by the line item that we don’t accept dead sharks as an entry, but still, I’d rather have all references to killing sharks removed from any/all of our materials. Hopefully we can set the example for other tournaments as well.

Here in the Keys, shark fishing has always been popular with people visiting the islands from the mainland due to the “hype” of the “man-eater” status sharks have been tagged with. I personally won’t take charters out for “shark trips”. I realize that is a personal decision made by me that sometimes does come with financial risks, but so be it. I am now involved in a personal campaign to educate the Charter community on the fact that if the person wants to have a mount made of a shark (or other species), there is no reason to kill the fish. I still see sharks being brought back to the dock in what I know is an effort to “pressure” the clients into buying the mount.

It will most likely be an uphill battle, but the more the word gets spread around to the anglers, the more pressure will be placed on the boats to release the fish. If you happen to see anything else on our site like the item you found, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, if you know of a way that I can help the effort to promote releasing sharks, I’d love to hear it.

Sincerely,

Rob

Key West Fishing Tournament is SHARK FREE

The decision is described as, " landmark," and it is truly a step in the right direction. The 8 month long tournament announced on February 10 that it will not include weights for ANY sharks during the tournament. They will only accept released sharks. This is a great improvement, but the sad part is that many of those, " released," sharks will most likely die. Being reeled into a boat can be extremely stressful on the animal, with some species more susceptible than others. If the fisherman is not aware of the sharks condition or how to swim a shark to revive them, the animals will most likely drown. It is wonderful news that sharks will not be strung up on docks as mere weight added in for a win, but there are still great strides to be made. Kudos to Key West for making a move in the right direction.

Key West Fishing Tournament

Shark Cherubs

The Shark Angels are everywhere and are doing amazing things. Sharks need all the help they can get and angels are reaching out across the globe to make a difference. On Monday November 28, 2011 I was fortunate enough to enlist 50 new “ Shark Cherubs,” at Berwick Academy. The students took a pledge that includes:
Getting Shark Smart-learning as much as they can
Not eating shark fin soup or eating at restaurants that serve it
Be a positive voice for sharks
Standing up for sharks
They kids were really excited knowing that they ARE making a difference and becoming a part of something that matters.
Thanks to Shark Angels, Berwick Academy and Susan Morris







Shark Angels

Shark Conservation Education and Outreach is Wicked Good in Maine

I was very fortunate to grow up around the water and with parents that cared about the environment. My mom never let me have the cool snack packages, but rather she got things in bulk and put them in Tupperware. I was a bit annoyed at the time because my friends all had the cool snacks, but it instilled the lesson of what we as individuals can do to help our environment.
Today my mom has continued her journey as an environmentalist teaching 6th graders about sharks and shark conservation. She has shared a real life research project that students can study from and has even spent 2 weeks tagging sharks in Australia. This is her own initiative that she has taken above and beyond the standard curriculum.






She always asks if I can speak to her class about sharks and shark conservation. I do not get home often, but when I do I always try to get in. The 6th graders are one of my favorite ages to speak to because they have a base understanding of environmental factors and can critically think about the issues. Many of them are aware of shark finning and I am always pleasantly surprised with the insight they share.



Some people may thinking that showing 11 and 12 year olds an image of dead sharks, bleeding and without their fins is too much, but I think it can be done effectively. Many of these kids have seen Jaws and other “R” rated movies, so they are not shocked. Many, however, cannot believe that this is happening and it catalyzes an instant empathy for the animals. They want to know why people do it and how to stop it. This is the energy and enthusiasm that it will take to make changes in the world.




Duncan and I shared images and video of shark tagging, shark diving and even the birth of baby lemon sharks. We also discussed what each of them could do to help the environment. Because they are young, they often feel that there is nothing they can do, but we strive to express that there is so much.



The last class we spoke to had one student that really hit home with me about why I do this. When we were talking about shark fin soup he raised his hand and said that his dad had eaten it a few times and mentioned that it was expensive. In a class full of kids that are ready to attack anyone hurting a shark, this was a bold admittance. It was also the ideal opportunity to reach out to this student and his dad. When we moved on to discuss diving with shark I suggested that he talk to his dad about getting in the water with sharks instead of eating them. He smiled and shook his head in agreement.

I am sure he went home and shared the idea with his dad also explaining that shark fin soup is toxic and destroying our oceans. Now either his dad told him that I don’t know what I am talking about or he actually listened. I am hoping that the second scenario played out and that it fosters a sense of change in his dad. As children we look up to our parents and no matter what we do not seem to question their actions. They are often our heroes and can do no wrong. His father has a chance to be an ocean hero for his son and for the environment.

It is these students and the students that have parents that sport fish for sharks that make speaking in classrooms worth it. Most students may already care about the ocean and already have parents that are involved in conservation or at least not killing or eating sharks. It is the parents that are participating in unsavory activities that are the goal. They are the people I want to reach and going through their son or daughter carries tremendous strength. I remember coming home from school when I was 7 or 8 and seeing a deer hanging in a tree at the house. I am from Maine and deer hunting is very popular, so this was not I new sight for me. This was however, the first time I had seen it at my house. I asked my dad why he killed the deer? My dad still talks about it to this day and describes the look of confusion and sadness on my face. He has not hunted since. Children hold a tremendous weight and they are a crucial element in the push to save our oceans.

I look forward to the next opportunity to be in the classroom and reach even just one student who will make a change.
Thank you to Berwick Academy in South Berwick, Maine for allowing your students the opportunity to experience real life conservation in action and to be apart of it. Thank you to my mom, Susan Morris for always being an environmentalist and making a difference.

For more information on shark conservation presentations please feel free to contact ME

Ban the Import of Shark Products in the State of Florida

2 weekends ago Duncan and I visited a few tourist shops on South Beach. We went in to see what shark products they were selling and were disgusted to find jaws and fetuses in jars. There is no way these items should represent the essence that is Florida and there is no way their sale and distribution should be legal. I traced the products back to a company called Holiday Souvenirs based in Fort Lauderdale. I called them and was told the items were " by products of overseas fishing," before I was hung up on.

I have started a petition to get the import of such products banned in the state of Florida. Also here is the contact information for Holiday Souvenirs. Please call and email to voice your opinion about this disgusting market that has no place in Florida. It is a global issue, but we must act locally. The goal is 10,000 signatures in order to get the attention of Florida Senators.

Holiday Souvenirs
3438 NE 5th Ave
Fort Lauderdale, Fl
33334
800-521-4302
954-564-6134
hsshells@bellsouth.net

PETITION

Palmer Trinity Student Outreach

My hectic schedule does not allow me to get into classrooms as often as I would like, so when I get the chance it means the world to me. On October 27, I headed to Palmer Trinity School in Miami to speak to 5 classes of 6th graders. This is one of favorite ages to speak to because they are starting to question the reality of media, movie and Internet stories. They have a basic understanding of ocean ecosystems and can grasp the devastation that is caused by slaughtering sharks across the globe.




Living in Florida many of them have been lucky enough to see sharks and one of the students had been cage diving in South Africa. The excitement and energy is infections and always gives me new inspiration for projects, articles and programs.
When the students filter into the room, I love the, “ aw, yes! Sharks. I love sharks.” I know many of them have parents that fish and that have probably caught sharks. I hope that their excitement travels home and makes mom, dad or another family member think about their actions and if it is really worth it. I always remind them that even though they are young there are lots of things they can do to help the environment.




Many of them talked about watching shark documentaries including Sharkwater, snorkeling with their families, recycling and doing beach cleanups. It is reminder that whatever age, you can make a difference. Each person DOES count.

Thank you Dr. Naigle, Miss Winn and Palmer Trinity School for encouraging your students to think about the world around them and find ways to actively protect it.