Shark Savers Inc

Programs: Sharkscount:shark savers works to improve protections for sharks. Increasing protections for sharks requires information about local populations. However even basic data is often absent or missing. Divers see sharks the most frequently and regularly and are often familiar with local trends but rarely have the training or tools to accurately and consistently record these valuable sightings in a way that can be useful to shark conservation and advocacy. Sharkscount seeks to close an important data gap by enabling divers to act as "citizen scientists for sharks. " over time, these sightings will sharkscount (continued part iii, 4a) provide essential information about local shark population trends with the potential of improving protections for sharks. Shark savers works with leading marine scientists to ensure that our data collection methodology is well developed and useful. We create surveys and make plans for accurate analysis and effective dissemination when surveying sharks or any other species. Making data available to scientists, resource managers, and our local partners is crucial for effective analysis and applications of the collected information. It is also important for involved citizens and divers to be aware of when and how scientists utilize this data, to help further enhance public scientific literacy.

education and program communications:shark savers has developed and maintains one of the foremost website sources for information about sharks and shark conservation that is visited by over 200,000 people per year. We disseminate information and updates to our subscribers, representing over 50,000 people, via email newsletters, facebook, and twitter. We produce presentations to enable volunteers to educate people of all ages about sharks and rays, their importance to the environment, and the severe threat to survival that they face.

manta ray of hope:contributed to passage of important international trade restrictions for manta rays through the convention on international trade in endangered species of fauna and flora (cites) including:1) produced beautiful manta ray film to promote proposal to include manta species on cites appendix ii - mantas last dance. 2) planned/hosted a manta-themed event with a giant manta float, speakers from lead sponsor country (ecuador) and the host country (thailand) and leading manta scientists and several short films to educate cites delegates on the plight of manta rays, their beauty and harmless nature and their economic importance to coastal communities through tourism. 3) prepared/distributed manta quick facts card and other informational materials to delegates and other ngo advocates. 4) assisted sponsor countries and other ngo advocates with talking points, rebuttals to objections. Manta tourism paper published in peer-reviewed scientific journal plosone - the global economic impact of manta ray watching tourism. Contributed to creation of the world's large manta ray sanctuary in indonesia:1) provided images and supporting information, films for indonesia shark symposium where discussions on manta protection law were initiated, including analysis of the value of manta rays to indonesian tourism relative to fisheries. 2) contributed to preparation of scientific justification document for indonesia's proposed manta ray protection law. 3) produced educational manta ray conservation film in indonesian with famous indonesian narrator -- pari manta. 4) participated with other orgs on media outreach to build public awareness and support for proposed manta and shark protections.

shark fin soup campaign:reducing demand for shark fin soup is the most important thing we can do to protect sharks from being driven to extinction. This demand has created the unsustainable, virtually unrestrained killing of sharks. Tens of millions of sharks a year are killed for the shark fin trade. Shark savers launched its campaign to reduce consumption of shark fin soup in 2009. The current campaign is called "i'm finished with fins" and is reaching people throughout asia where shark fin soup consumption is prevalent. The shark fin soup campaign was shark savers' first partnership with wildaid,and has led to our merger. The results of our combined efforts in china and the rest of asia to reduce consumption of shark fin soup are significant:various media and trade sources estimate around 50-70% reduction due to our campaign and subsequent government ban on shark fin at state banquets substantiated by up to 80% reduction in fin prices at the dock leading to cancellation of commercial shark fishing trips. In early august 2014, wildaid released our new report "evidence of declines in shark fin demand - china", that indicated the following:1) 82% decline in sales reported by shark fin vendors in guangzhou, china and a decrease in prices (47% retail and 57% wholesale) over the past two years. 2) 85% of chinese consumers surveyed online said they gave up shark fin soup within the past 3 years. 2/3 of these respondents cited awareness campaigns, 28. 2% cited the government banquet ban as a reason. 3) 24 airlines, three shipping lines, and five hotel groups have officially banned shark fin from their operations. 4) of 20 beijing restaurant representatives interviewed in a study to be published in the journal conservation and society, 19 reported a significant decline in shark fin consumption. All agreed that wildaid psas featuring yao ming had "definitely raised awareness among customers. "