HONOLULU (HAWAII)- Environmental law organization Earthjustice, based in Hawaii, has filed a federal lawsuit this week on behalf of a local conservation group and individuals to enforce protections for Oceanic Whitetip Sharks, a dwindling shark species that has roamed the oceans for millions of years. It is the second lawsuit in a monthContinue Reading
LA PAZ (MEXICO)- Every year the Mexican fishing industry catches thousands of tons of hammerheads a year. And every three years 300,000 pounds of hammerhead shark fins are being exported from the Central American country. While internationally hammerhead sharks are are recognized for urgent protection, in Mexico they are still notContinue Reading
WASHINGTON (USA)- Not only does she play the lead role in one of our favorite vampire series, she’s also committed to saving sharks. Oceana announced Nina Dobrev, actress and ocean advocate, as its newest Oceana Ambassador. Oceana is currently advocating for legislation that would ban the sale and trade of sharkContinue Reading
SHIF ISLAND (IRAN)- Another proof of the horror that comes with the fin trade. This week Iranian officials found hundreds of dead sharks with their fins sawed off on Shif Islan, in the Persian Gulf. Butchered and dropped finless but alive back into the sea. According to Hossein Delshab, an environmental official at theContinue Reading
MARRAKECH (Morocco)- Bad news for the shortfin mako shark. Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have failed to adopt recommended limits to protect shortfin mako sharks from overfishing or strengthen the regional ban on shark finning. The onlyContinue Reading
SAN FRANCISCO (USA)- California’s ban on possession or sale of shark fins still stands. A federal judge upheld the ban, rejecting claims that the law discriminates against the Chinese community in the state. Shark fin soup is a traditional delicacy in this community. Also the claim of interfering with federalContinue Reading
We’re starting a new series of interviews in honor of people and organisations that help protect sharks. From research to raising awareness, from lobbying to actions and campaigns. Meet the Shark Heroes. In this first edition we talk with Alex Wright, founder and director of Shark Aid International. “We need to makeContinue Reading