Divers throughout Asia will now be able to log their shark sightings to help in conservation with the launch of Shark Savers’ SharksCount program in Singapore.
The SharksCount program seeks to close important data gaps about shark populations by providing recreational divers the tools to collect to valuable shark sighting data. Over time, these sightings will provide essential information about local shark population trends with the potential of improving protections for sharks.
"We are thrilled to introduce Singaporeans and divers from across Asia to our SharksCount Program,” says Jonn Lu, Director of Shark Savers Singapore, about the launch of the program. “This is a great and fun opportunity for our dive community to get involved in collecting shark-sighting data for local conservation. We can't wait to get started with a great team.”
The launch of SharksCount in Asia coincides with the new Shark Specialty course that Shark Savers helped create in partnership with dive certification agency Scuba Diving International (SDI) and Technical Diving International (TDI), in which SharksCount is a key component.
The course is open to divers and non-divers and aims to increase understanding of the role sharks play in the marine ecosystem, the threats they are facing and how divers can get involved with shark conservation.
The SharksCount program will launch in Asia at the Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore from April 19-21. ADEX is the largest dive exhibition in Singapore and is attended by many Asian divers who frequent Malaysian, Indonesian, Australian and Filipino waters.
To join the SharksCount team in Asia or anywhere else, contact sharkscount@sharksavers.org with details of your dive experience/level, and where you dive most often.
