HAMMERTIME: IT'S OFFICIAL

In the late hours of March 12 news of the historic CITES Appendix II approval for five species of sharks spread like wildfire. This listing will require strictly controlled permits to export fins from not only the 3 species of hammerheads( great, smooth and scalloped), but also porbeagle and oceanic white tip sharks. With the recent publication of scientific findings estimating the numbers of sharks killed each to year to be approximately 100 million (range of 63 to 273 million) this is a groundbreaking moment seeing science and conservation triumph over politics and greed.

This is a historic accomplishment for our oceans and offers hope that voices will be heard and the hard fought efforts have and do make a difference.

This victory is worthy of celebration, but also a reminder there is still a great deal of work to be done. You don’t have to be an expert, a biologist, a diver or on the frontlines of conservation everyday to make a difference. Every person can make a difference!

YOU Can Help Sharks

For more information:

Shark Savers

PEW

Shark Defenders

The Bold and the Beautiful: Great Hammerhead Sharks

With my knees planted firmly in the white sand bottom, I watched as 6 great hammerhead sharks cruised around. It is a remarkable experience to encounter a solitary animal, but absolutely indescribable to witness 6 of these magnificent creatures in such close proximity. By far, one of the most amazing moments I have ever had. I am still having difficulty wrapping my head around it.




As they swim past they are bold, moving towards the bait, but show no aggression or agitation with divers. We are strangers in their world; on borrowed air and time in hopes of spending as much time as possible watching glide effortlessly through the water. I am sure our awe is not reciprocated as I imagine they are wondering what these bubble blowing, loud and awkward creatures are.




Meanwhile, across the globe in Bangkok, Thailand, people are gathered for the 16th Conference of the Parties to debate further protection of animals by CITES. Great hammerheads were a part of that debate, listed because of the similarity of their fins to the proposed scalloped hammerhead. Today the initial protection of the animals to be listed on Appendix II passed and the aftershock has been felt across the globe. This is a groundbreaking step in shark conservation and hopefully the momentum will continue for more species and for more restriction. This vote can still be overturned on Thursday’s plenary vote, but is a giant leap in the right direction.

There were some very powerful campaigns launched in favor of protecting these incredible animals and they prove that our voices will be heard and we can all make a difference. The Shark Defenders sent Shark Stanley around the world with the help of 10,000 supporters from 135 countries. PEW, Shark Savers and Project Aware were also instrumental in spreading the word and encouraging people to speak up on behalf of sharks.

A listing on Appendix II will mean strictly controlled permits will be required to export fins from not only the 3 species of hammerheads, but also of porbeagle sharks and oceanic white tips. Manta rays also saw approval, making it a “jawsome,” day for elasmobranchs.

Fingers, toes and fins crossed for Thursday’s vote.

Let’s make officially make 2013 The Year of the Great Hammerhead!

It's a Bahamian 'Ting Shark Stanley

Shark Stanley has finally made it to the Bahamas. Shark Defenders has created a cartoon hammerhead shark named Stanley. The goal is to get Stanley to visit all 177 CITES member countries before the next convention begins on March 3 in Bangkok, Thailand. The PEW Environment group, the UN ADvisory Panel that makes recommendations for cites, has recommended support for hammerheads, oceanic white tips and porbeagle sharks.

The saying, “It’s Better in the Bahamas,” is also applicable for sharks. The Bahamas established a 630,000 square kilometer (243,244 square mile) Shark Sanctuary in 2011 and the first Shark Free Marina in the world is the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina on the island of South Bimini.

While in Bimini, Stanley visited the Bimini Sands, hung out with some local kids and even met his first REAL shark at the Bimini Biological Field Station ( Sharklab).