Join the Movement to Protect our Ocean Planet. Version 1- June 2011.

Join the Movement toJoin the Movement toProtect our Ocean Planet.Protect our Ocean Planet.

Version 1- June 2011

Our VisionA return to a clean, healthy and

abundant ocean planet.

Our MissionProject AWARE Foundation mobilizes

the world’s divers into a global force to protect our ocean planet.

Sharks in Peril Marine Debris

Millions of sharks are killed every year…

Shark meat for food shark fins for a bowl of soup

shark teeth for jewellery shark jaws for tourist souvenirs

shark skin for leather wallets/belts shark cartilage for medicine – no proof of medicinal properties

shark liver oil for cosmetics/skin care products

• The removal of the fins from a shark and discarding the carcass overboard

Are there any laws to regulate this?

• There are finning bans in over 20 countries but it is difficult to enforce

• Examples: • EU allow separate landings of fins and

carcass with special permits• New Zealand - the ban only applies to

live sharks

• Estimated 1 out of 5 evaluated species threatened• 70-80% decline of some shark populations globally • 89% decline of Hammerhead Shark in some regions• 90% decline of Porbeagle and Spiny Dogfish in some regions

Why are sharks vulnerable to overfishing?• Grow slowly, mature late, produce few young

Sharks keep marine ecosystems in balance by stopping other species from overpopulating

International management; effective fishing bans, domestic policy

CITES operates by controlling the international trade in various wildlife products via a system of import and export permits.

CITES currently lists three species of shark: basking, whale and great white.

However, all sharks put forward for protection were rejected at the last meeting in March 2010

Project AWARE is lobbying governments to heed scientific advice and provide better protection

Campaign momentum to next CITES meeting in 2013

70,000 signed the petition so far

Lobbying for an effective EU Finning Ban

• An end to the practice of shark finning

• An increase in protection for vulnerable shark species so shark population numbers can improve

• An increase in the percentage of the ocean currently protected

• Sharks to be landed with their fins naturally attached for better monitoring

Step 1: Sign the petition Demand better protection of sharks

Step 2: Lobby your leaders

Step 3: Speak out and teach

Step 4: Join the movement Be part of a community of divers taking action for

our ocean planet

Sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, fishes and seabirds are affected by marine debris - for example ingest or become entangled in trash.

175,018Plastic Bottles

89,945Cigarette Filters

81,878Plastic Bags

56,653Food Wrappers

46,109Beverage Cans

49,061 Caps and Lids

In 2010, Project AWARE supporters brought to the surface…

And much more….

A reduction in the amount of debris entering the ocean

To show the world and log what we see when we go underwater

Improved waste management practices.

Step 1: Volunteer

Step 2: Remove Debris

Step 3: Record Data

We need to work together to fill data gaps

The data you report will help drive change in how we prevent, reduce and manage waste both locally and globally.

1. Dive carefully2. Be AWARE of your body and equipment3. Keep your dive skills sharp4. Consider your actions 5. Understand and respect underwater life6. Be an Eco-Tourist7. Respect underwater cultural heritage8. Report disturbance9. Be a role model10. Get involved

to join a global force of advocates. Why?

• Divers can play a greater role in making positive changes in the environment

• We are a powerful economic constituency

• Our collective voice can be brought to decision-makers to affect real change

• Together we can connect everything we do locally to achieve our goals on a larger national, regional and international level

Log on to projectaware.org/myocean

• Join events and volunteer - Dive Against Debris, Shark Specialty Courses

• Upload your conservation photos and videos

• Blog, comment – engage with those around you who are taking action

• Look out for action alerts, online contests, weeks of action to rally your energy and support for the cause

…. we can end unsustainable shark fishing, increase protection for vulnerable shark species and reverse the drastic decline of shark populations worldwide.

….we can provide the underwater perspective of marine debris impacts, take action to reduce waste, improve waste management practices, end littering and prevent debris from entering the ocean

A clean and healthy ocean An abundant

ocean rich in diversity

Thank you.

Protecting our Ocean Planet – One Dive at a Time

www.projectaware.org