Community Voice

Loving JAWS: Pop Culture & Conservation

Written by: Samantha Whitcraft
June 25, 2012

I love everything about JAWS – the book, the movie, and the author – but as a conservation biologist I used to feel guilty about my secret feelings. After all, isn’t it the film credited with demonizing sharks in popular culture?

How I Became a Shark Saver!

Written by: Jennah Caster
June 18, 2012

Regardless of how old you are, where you live, or what your profession, it is NEVER too late to become a shark lover and a Shark Saver! My history as a Shark Saver is relatively new, but filled with enthusiasm and zeal. Within a matter of months, my best friends, family, and even strangers have come to know me as a ‘shark girl’ and a ‘shark saver.’ How did this all develop so quickly?

Sustainability – Lessons from Fiji

Written by: Cristina Zenato
June 4, 2012

I have just recently completed a shark diving trip to Fiji where I had the chance to deepen my understandings, learn several lessons, and reinforce personal ideas about the ocean, its people and sustainability.

Swimming for the Sharks

Written by: Todd Cameron
June 2, 2012

As an open water swimmer with a strong connection and respect for the ocean and its inhabitants, I am using my swimming to help raise awareness for sharks in any way I can.

Shark Diving, Shark Feeding, and Common Sense

Written by: Christina Zenato
May 18, 2012

I am a shark feeder: I have been feeding Caribbean reef sharks for the past 18 years. One might assume then that any discussion coming from me would always conclude that feeding is the only way to conduct a shark dive. Not so.

So, you want to go shark diving…now what?

Written by: Christina Zenato
April 11, 2012

If there is one common question I get from people all over the world, it is about the level of skills necessary to be with sharks, followed by an expression of mixed fear and desire to meet them.

Meet Sam Harris, Shark Savers' Junior Ambassador

Written by: Sue Chen
March 6, 2012

One of my greatest joys and inspiration as a Shark Savers Director has been meeting Sam Harris. It is truly rare when someone knows exactly what they want to do and their mission in life. It is a gift when they know at 2 years old.

48-Hour Web-athon of Art for Sharks!

Written by: Hannah Medd
December 23, 2011

Staying awake for 48 hours while you create artwork suggested by others, while the entire process streams live on the internet. That may seem like a novel idea to some, but to Ara Elkins it was just a fun way to share his appreciation for sharks. Ara and his friends devised a unique plan to bring together the online art communities they each belong to and raise some funds for Shark Savers. The event began on December 16th, 2011 and continued for two days non-stop. Artists volunteered their time and talents drew pictures in real time to flow into a live art stream on an event web page. Participants donated using Shark Savers' fundraiser's Donor Page specially set up for the event.

Thresher Sharks Safe in St. Louis

Written by: Penny Miller
December 22, 2011

Dierbergs Markets, a grocery chain in the Midwest states that shark steak is no longer an authorized purchase for its seafood departments. Responding to our campaign started in July 2011, Dierbergs will stop buying and selling shark meat. In a December 12, 2011 letter from Dierbergs management, Mr. Todd Vasel stated that they have not placed an order for thresher shark steak since September and that it is no longer an authorized purchase for its seafood departments.

An Ironman for sharks!

Written by: Hannah Medd
December 22, 2011

Early in 2011, Shark Savers received a request from a young man who wanted help bring shark awareness to the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii on October 8th, 2011. Brian Yannutz, a recent graduate of marine sciences from University of Hawaii at Hilo, had previous experience in shark conservation. Following the landmark fin trade ban in Hawaii, he visited Chinese restaurants in his town to inform them of the new legislation and asked them to sign a pledge to stop selling shark fin soup.

Yoga for Sharks!

Written by: Hannah Medd
December 20, 2011

We all know that the practice of yoga supports stress relief and relaxation but did you know that it can also support shark conservation?

Fun in the Field: Shark Research under the Stars

Written by: Hannah Medd
December 19, 2011

My mom doesn’t quite understand my passion for sharks, particularly my desire to get as close as possible to them. She’s far more comfortable with my work in education and outreach with Shark Savers. However, when an email came through early 2011, offering a chance to participate in the Bimini Biological Field Station’s Marquesas Keys Lemon Shark Census Project, catching and tagging sharks with the eminent shark scientist Dr. Samuel H. Gruber, a.k.a. Doc, I jumped at the chance.

Lemonade Stand for Shark Conservation!

Written by: Samantha Whitcraft
November 26, 2011

Here at Shark Savers our mission is to save the sharks. And every day we are reminded that it takes an engaged, dedicated community of like-minded citizens taking action as local conservationists, advocates, and activists to bring about positive change for sharks. We are contacted weekly by concerned citizens wanting to know what they can ‘do’ to help save sharks, and through our Ban-the-Fin and .Say NO to Shark Fin Soup Campaigns, we happily provide educational outreach materials, social-networking tips, and overall guidance to take action in your community.

The Social Life of Sharks

Written by: Mary Chipman
October 27, 2011

In her book, My Sunset Rendezvous, Crisis in Tahiti, Ila France Porcher describes the social relationships between the various blackfin reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) that she observed over a period of seven years during her ethological study. What is interesting and unique about her study is that she was able to interact with the same individuals over an extended time period, identifying sharks by drawing their distinctive fin patterns, and naming them. It would have been impossible to keep track of hundreds of sharks without naming them, and the names have the effect of making her account of their social interactions become very personal and immediate. As one progresses through reading the book, certain sharks come to seem like old friends who you might run into on a street corner or at a café.

Yes We Did! California Shark Fin Ban Passes Senate

Written by: Shark Savers
September 8, 2011

Only a couple of weeks ago, there were fears that AB 376, the bill that would make the sale and possession of shark fins illegal in California, was dead. But thousands of Californians and dozens of environmental organizations banded together to put enough pressure on reluctant politicians in Sacramento to get it through the Senate and onto Governor Jerry Brown's desk.

Cinderella loves sharks

Written by: Shark Savers
August 19, 2011

Cinderella, a United States-based rock band, has been on the road for their 25th anniversary tour. And, they want us to all know that they care about sharks and their plight.

Thinking Like an Ocean: Sharks

Written by: Samantha Whitcraft
August 19, 2011

Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There (1949) was one of the first popular books in the American conservation movement. It includes an iconic essay, "Thinking Like a Mountain" that focuses on the vital role of wolves as apex predators in the delicate ecological balance of a mountain ecosystem. Leopold details the impacts to the foodweb and the mountain itself when the wolves are extirpated by hunters: deer populations explode and the herbivores denude the mountain of the vegetation that holds the very soil in place. As Leopold states, "Only the mountain has lived long enough to listen objectively to the howl of the wolf."

Tiger Mom: Emma the Shark

Written by: Mary Chipman
August 12, 2011

Emma's recent pregnancy has raised interest in tiger shark mating and reproduction, given the precipitous decline in populations across the globe. Scientists and observant divers have added a lot to our understanding about what goes on. As the photos in this article demonstrate, shark sex can be rough, but it's been working for 400 million years.

Palau Shark Sanctuary Update

Written by: Todd Essick
July 11, 2011

Todd Essick recently returned from Palau with a report on the Palau Shark Sanctuary. With an area the size of France to patrol, Palau's sharks and mantas remain vulnerable to poachers.

How to Friend a Tiger Shark: The Making of a Supermodel

Written by: Jim Abernethy
June 7, 2011

Today I'd like to tell the story of Jamin, a 10-foot female tiger shark, and how she became a supermodel on my expeditions on the Shearwater. Tiger sharks are incredibly curious, intelligent, and quick learners. It only took once incident, my removing a hook from Jamin's jaw hinge, to turn her from a cautious wild shark into a friend.

In Memoriam to Finned Sharks

Written by: Ila France Porcher
May 25, 2011

I wrote the following Ode to Madonna while I was waiting for the sharks of Polynesia to be protected by law, which took an extraordinarily long time. I am republishing it here to honor not only Madonna but all the sharks who are being yanked brutally onto ships, having their tails and fins sliced off, and being thrown roughly back into the ocean, to face the end of everything they have known, as consciousness fades and they sink, sink, and, writhing, sink into the abyss.

No Bite Reflex in Sharks? Surprising Observations from Tahiti

Written by: Ila France Porcher
May 3, 2011

During my seven-year study of the behavior of wild blackfin reef sharks described in my book, My Sunset Rendezvous, Crisis in Tahiti, I had many opportunities to observe these sharks in social situations. I expected them to bite in reaction to conflict or disturbance, based on my experiences while working with other animals. Yet they did not. Neither did the other shark species that shared the reef with them. I concluded that these sharks lacked the bite reflex that is so important for other animals in conflict.

One Shark Heals: Captain Ron's Recovery

Written by: Jim Abernethy
April 21, 2011

In "Saving Sharks: One hook at a time" I introduced Captain Ron and talked about how I removed a fish hook from his jaw. Last week I went back for a visit with Captain Ron to see how he was doing.

Shark fin is NOT Asian culture

Written by: Jaki Teo
March 29, 2011

(Jaki Teo is the Marketing Director of Infinite Blue Diving in Asia, and is a supporter and friend of Shark Savers.) In recent weeks, the AB-376 shark fin debate in San Francisco has sparked much controversy and debate. Senator Leland Yee has even gone so far as to accuse the bill proposing a ban on shark fin trade as an “attack on Asian culture”. As a Chinese person living in Singapore, I feel compelled to offer my thoughts on this matter. Eighty years ago, my grandfather endured the long and arduous journey across the South China Sea to start his new life in Singapore. He worked for the majority of his years, raising five sons and three daughters. My Ah Gong (as we affectionately called him) passed away without having once tasted shark fin soup.

Saving Sharks, One Hook at a Time

Written by: Jim Abernethy
March 29, 2011

I'd like to introduce you to an old friend of mine, Captain Ron. I named him right after seeing the very funny 1992 movie of that name, because both Captain Rons are missing their left eye. This Captain Ron is an 8 foot male lemon shark, and whenever I see animals afflicted with some type of injury, I feel sorry for them, as I know they have to work that much harder in order to survive.

Shark Finning: No Way!

Written by: Emily, Sixth Grade Student, Eastshore School
February 22, 2011

Have you ever heard of shark finning? Shark finning is the practice of catching a shark, slicing off its fins, and throwing it back into the ocean to die a slow and painful death. All sharks that are finned eventually die because they can no longer eat or swim to move water over their gills. This cruel fishing practice is happening in all oceans of the world in order to supply humans with the fins to make a delicacy called shark fin soup.

Sharks + Students: Always a Recipe for Success

Written by: Jillian Morris
February 22, 2011

This past week was SHARKTASTIC and I didn’t even go in the water. On Saturday January 29, I was able to join the RJ Marine Conservation Program and students from South Broward High School for a day of shark tagging. This program creates an opportunity for high school students from South Florida to get in the field and experience the work of a marine biologist. Living in South Florida, we are blessed with the Atlantic Ocean in our backyard. It is an amazing natural resource that needs to be protected. We had a busy day on the boat with 5 nurse sharks, 1 tiger shark, 1 scalloped hammerhead and 5 great hammerheads! The project uses drum lines to fish for the sharks, as this allows the animal to move once it is hooked. The standard work up of a shark includes 3 length measurements ( 2 on a nurse shark), determining sex, taking a DNA sample, a biopsy, taking blood, tagging the animal, removing the hook and releasing the animal.

Another needless killing of an engangered hammerhead in Palm Beach, Florida

Written by: Jim Abernethy
August 26, 2010

Today I received a report of another needless killing of an endangered animal at the Sailfish Marina. When I got to the marina, I found a 9 foot female scalloped hammerhead shark -- possibly pregnant -- laying abandoned on the dock in the sun. The dock attendants informed me that this shark -- this endangered animal -- was brought in by the Capt. John Krohn on the Boomerang, a 43 foot sport fishing vessel. Capt. Krohn had already left the marina.(Also, please view the video on this issue featuring Jim Abernethy on Current TV, and please vote or 'like' it so that more people will discover it.) Today I received a report of another needless killing of an endangered animal at the Sailfish Marina.

Sharks Savers first event in Hong Kong: Dive Resort and Travel Expo

Written by: Jonn Lu
August 11, 2010

Shark Savers Hong Kong, our South East Asian beachhead started their involvement with us in early July for the Hong Kong Dive Resort and Travel Expo. A team of Hong Kong, US, and South African Shark Savers worked feverishly to get everything ready for a good show, designing a theme, banners for our booth, the first film from our recent production in Hong Kong, and other materials. With only weeks of lead time, the teams managed to get translation, artwork, video and content ready in record time.

Glover’s Reef Shark Survey May 2010

Written by: Jillian Morris
June 13, 2010

The Institute for Ocean Conservation Science has been conducting this shark survey for each of the past 10 years, making it one of the longest running shark surveys in the world. The survey was the primary purpose for this expedition, but we were also there to film the work being done at the station and the people that make it possible.

Speaking up for sharks

Written by: Hannah Medd
June 13, 2010

I have been giving Shark Savers talks around Florida for over two years now and it has definitely been a learning experience for me! The group Toastmaster’s International has Ten Tips for Public Speaking that ease the anxiety when you are about to give a presentation and I still laugh at number 5 that says “Relax”, easier said than done. I focused on number 10: Gain Experience. I don’t know many people who really like public speaking. It is one of those things I have actively avoided for many years, which I am now thinking might have been a mistake. I have always thought politicians have to speak well in public, not scientists, but early in my career I found out this is not entirely true. Scientists frequently gather at conferences and symposiums to describe their current work.

Hawaii SB2169 Shark Fin Ban update (April 16)

Written by: Stefanie Brendl
April 16, 2010

An historic bill is moving through the Hawaiian Legislature calling on a prohibition of shark fin. Since passing the Hawaiian Senate, and then, last week's vote in the Hawaiian House of Representatives, SB 2169 - Relating to Shark Fins - has now moved to the next step in this long legislative process. And once again, it is necessary to rally support to ensure its final passage.

Help Us Stop the Soup at Chinese Wedding Banquets

Written by: Claudia Li
April 14, 2010

Shark Truth (one of Shark Savers' partners) is a grassroots nonprofit promoting awareness around shark fin soup in the Chinese community. Our goal is to Stop the Soup at wedding banquets (where shark fin soup is most popularly served) through our 'Happy Hearts Love Sharks' international wedding contest we just launched. We are looking for partners to give us a hand in promoting the contest - would you be interested in sending a message out to your network (blogs, newsletters, Facebook or Twitter)? Here's a bit more information about the contest:

Sharks in the Desert as a Call to Action

Written by: Ran Elfassy
April 13, 2010

The start-gun goes off on 27 June, when Delian Gaskell and Denvy Lo will race across one of the world's most demanding environments: the Tirpan Basin, in China's Gobi Desert. If it wasn't hard enough that they have to cross 250km of desert on foot in six days, they also have to carry all their supplies, food and bedding, receiving only water and a tent to sleep in at night. The reason: to raise awareness that sharks the world over are threatened - a call to action to stop turning the oceans into water-filled wastelands.

Sharks and Students: A recipe for Success.

Written by: Jillian Morris
March 20, 2010

As a teenager I would have jumped at the opportunity to join a real research trip and possibly tag a shark. This is exactly what the University of Miami RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program (formerly South Florida Student Shark Program) offers. With Dr. Neil Hammerschlag and his team of interns at the helm, South Florida high school students are able join shark survey and tagging trips. The data collected is extremely valuable and encourages students to take an active role in current scientific research and education. On Sunday March 14, I was fortunate enough to join the group to photograph and film the expedition. Joe Romeiro, of 333 Productions, was also on hand to capture images of the day. Leann Winn, one of the program’s members and a science educator at Palmer Trinity School joined us with some of her students. Our day started at Sea Base in Islamorada, Florida, where we loaded the camera equipment, fishing gear and plenty of frozen barracuda before heading out to sea.

Shark Diving, from Gansbaai to Cape Town

Written by: Hannah Medd
March 16, 2010

Leaving Mozambique is always tough, the people, the water, the food, the beer. But we were headed to Cape Town, South Africa, to see family and friends. And by friends, that also includes great white sharks. I worked in the little harbor town of Gansbaai on a boat that takes people to sea to dive with white sharks for three years. I even met my husband there, whose family still owns and operates one of the boats.It is strange and wonderful place at the end of the African continent where the swirling waters of the warm Agulhas and cool Benguela currents results in high levels of marine biodiversity. And coupled with resident cape fur seal colonies, this makes Gansbaai an ideal habitat for an abundant population of transient white sharks.

Shark diving, from Hawaii to Mozambique

Written by: Hannah Medd
March 7, 2010

I got a late start in SCUBA diving. I had already graduated with a degree in marine biology when I took my first breath underwater. I have always wanted to do it but with a grueling college schedule of 8 am developmental biology labs and Wednesday night 25 cent beers, it just never got done. But now I am certified as a rescue diver and working towards my dive master. My husband is a PADI instructor and most of his family makes a living out of underwater photography and filming so we took our first leap and procured a brand new Nauticam underwater housing for our Nikon D90. We luckily have many opportunities to use this equipment to take pictures of sharks and our most recent travelling took us from the tropical waters of Hawaii to Mozambique, down to Gansbaai and Cape Town, South Africa. I won’t bore anyone with the tragic details of trying to fly with expensive and fragile camera equipment but somehow we managed our first flight from Miami to Honolulu without incident. I was attending the International White Shark Symposium but we arrived two days early so I could get a chance to get in the waters of Hawaii.

Four days at the International White Shark Symposium

Written by: Hannah Medd
February 16, 2010

The great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, is a formidable study subject. This is not only because of the inherent dangers of dealing with an animal that can reach a length of 19.5 feet with several sets of large triangular serrated teeth, but also because of its rare occurrence in an unforgiving environment. Some people question the sanity of those who eagerly face rough seas to observe, photograph, handle, track, and monitor an animal that has the potential to kill a human but there is a hardy stock of marine researchers that believe there is more to these animals than the archaic image from the movie Jaws and have dedicated much of their lives to elucidate the mysteries of this elusive shark to better understand its role in the ocean ecosystems. These characters of somewhat dubious career choice descended upon the Hawaiian island of O’ahu, gathering at the New Otani Hotel on Waikiki Beach for four days of networking and presentations from February 7-10, 2010. It has been several years since a dedicated white shark symposium has been held and it seemed about time to revamp the old reference volume with the technological advances and renewed interest in this species of shark.

BECOME ASHARK SAVER

Community Voice

Teaching Tonic & Respect for Sharks

Sea Wizards: 72hr Art Marathon to Raise Money for Sharks!

Loving JAWS: Pop Culture & Conservation

How I Became a Shark Saver!

Sustainability – Lessons from Fiji

Swimming for the Sharks

Shark Diving, Shark Feeding, and Common Sense

So, you want to go shark diving…now what?

Meet Sam Harris, Shark Savers' Junior Ambassador

48-Hour Web-athon of Art for Sharks!

Thresher Sharks Safe in St. Louis

An Ironman for sharks!

Yoga for Sharks!

Fun in the Field: Shark Research under the Stars

Lemonade Stand for Shark Conservation!

The Social Life of Sharks

Yes We Did! California Shark Fin Ban Passes Senate

Cinderella loves sharks

Thinking Like an Ocean: Sharks

Tiger Mom: Emma the Shark

Palau Shark Sanctuary Update

How to Friend a Tiger Shark: The Making of a Supermodel

In Memoriam to Finned Sharks

No Bite Reflex in Sharks? Surprising Observations from Tahiti

One Shark Heals: Captain Ron's Recovery

Shark fin is NOT Asian culture

Saving Sharks, One Hook at a Time

Shark Finning: No Way!

Sharks + Students: Always a Recipe for Success

Another needless killing of an engangered hammerhead in Palm Beach, Florida

Sharks Savers first event in Hong Kong: Dive Resort and Travel Expo

Glover’s Reef Shark Survey May 2010

Speaking up for sharks

Hawaii SB2169 Shark Fin Ban update (April 16)

Help Us Stop the Soup at Chinese Wedding Banquets

Sharks in the Desert as a Call to Action

Sharks and Students: A recipe for Success.

Shark Diving, from Gansbaai to Cape Town

Shark diving, from Hawaii to Mozambique

Four days at the International White Shark Symposium

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