The Aggressor Fleet and the Dancer Fleet, two of the best known diving 'liveaboard' companies, have agreed to contribute to Shark Savers' programs. In this article, we would like to provide some background information for customers of the Aggressor and Dancer Fleets, as well as others who may be interested.

What is the nature of this contribution?

Both the Aggressor Fleet and the Dancer Fleet will be contributing $30 for each liveaboard guest they host during the year. This represents a shared commitment by each of the independently owned liveaboards and the parent company of the Fleets. While these donations are being made out of the profits of these companies, the thousands of avid divers who enjoy these liveaboard vacations throughout the year are certainly making this generous donation possible.

Why are the Aggressor and Dancer Fleets making this contribution?

The owners of the Aggressor and Dancer Fleets are passionate divers, as many of us are. Avid divers often develop a relationship with the oceans and come to care deeply about its continued health and beauty. The quality of the sport clearly depends on the health of the oceans over time. It is in keeping with this concern and the Fleets' sense of responsibility to the oceans and diving industry that they provide support to conservation efforts.

Out of all of the problems facing the ocean, why protect sharks?

Studies reveal that sharks play an irreplaceable role in maintaining healthy marine environments. As apex predators, sharks are critically important to the ocean and its fragile balance and help to keep populations of other species in correct proportion to one another. Recent studies indicate that regional elimination of sharks can cause disastrous effects further down the food chain including the collapse of fisheries and the death of coral reefs.

Despite their importance, shark populations are rapidly declining around the world, even where they are protected. This decline is primarily because of increased consumption of shark fin soup. Sharks are among the most heavily targeted marine species and are subjected to relentless overfishing for their fins. Unfortunately, sharks have a very low reproductive capability making it difficult for them to withstand overfishing. Sharks reach sexual maturity after many years and produce relatively few 'pups' in a lifetime. This collection of factors make sharks especially vulnerable to the irresponsible fishing and consumption practices that prey on them.

While the problems of ocean conservation may seem insurmountable, we believe that focusing on sharks makes good sense. This is because sharks have such a profound influence on the ocean environment and one practice--the consumption of shark fin soup--represents the main cause of their destruction. Shark Savers focuses on both eliminating consumption of shark fin soup through a media and grassroots campaign, and the protection of sharks by creating Shark Sanctuaries.

Oh, and there is another reason to protect sharks. Studies indicate that sharks are the #1 attraction on a dive trip. There's almost nothing more awe-inspiring than to see a shark on a dive.

What program is the Aggressor Fleet supporting?

The Aggressor contribution is supporting Shark Savers’ program to create Shark Sanctuaries throughout the world, complete with a ‘financial model’ to fund the enforcement of fishing regulations. Viable Shark Sanctuaries should result in more sharks, more biodiverse ecosytems, and improved opportunities for diving eco-tourism. Responsible diving tourism in these areas may provide the key economic incentive for protecting sharks by providing sustainable future income to local communities and replace destructive fishing practices.

We are working to apply the model worldwide by creating new Shark Sanctuaries in appropriate locations, for example, in Raja Ampat, and to improve the protections and sustainability of existing Sanctuaries, for example, Cocos and Palau.

This program is under active development. The Aggressor contribution is providing the seed funding to enable us to develop a viable financial model for the Shark Sanctuaries and to formulate a coaltion of NGOs, governments, local communities and dive industry leaders that will help us to implement the model and plan throughout the world.

What program is the Dancer Fleet supporting?

The Dancer Fleet's contribution supports Shark Savers' "Say 'no' to shark fin soup" campaign. This campaign brings a message to the people of Asia and Asian communities worldwide to motivate them to reconsider shark fin soup. This campaign includes a series of new videos currently being produced that feature Chinese people who have made the pledge to no longer eat shark fin soup. See the 'teaser' video, by clicking here. Our shark fin soup website is in Chinese and English, and provides the reasons to not eat shark fin soup and why sharks are more important alive. We have produced materials that individuals can use in their own communities, at their own companies and weddings, to support them as they seek to no longer serve or eat shark fin soup. All materials are being made available in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English.

Why support Shark Savers?

Shark Savers was created and continues to be led by long-time, avid divers. Our conservation work is an outgrowth of our diving. As divers, we all know that the experience we have in the underwater world is like no other. The love we feel for the oceans, and for the sharks that are its vital and beleaguered inhabitants, continues to be nurtured by the first-hand experience of diving.

Shark Savers is comprised of thoughtful and action-oriented people with years of experience in the business world, including marketing and communications. The organization is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization that is driven to create and implement programs that will deliver concrete results in shark and ocean conservation.

It is natural that divers, those with a visceral knowledge of the oceans, should become the oceans’ strongest defenders. Many of you reading this already are ocean conservationists. Those of you who have been diving for decades know that the diving destinations are generally in decline and that the big fish like sharks are now rarely seen. The oceans need the support by the people who actually know and care about the oceans. No one else will do it.

That is why we so appreciate the commitments being made by the Aggressor and Dancer Fleets. As two of the great brands in diving, they are taking the lead and setting an example for divers everywhere to take responsibility for ocean conservation.