The Problem
OCEAN CONSERVATION MOVEMENT Every year 100.000.000 million sharks are killed. Declining 71% over the last 50 years. One of the main reasons sharks are killed is for their fins, which are used to make shark fin soup, a traditional delicacy in some Asian cultures. Bycatch: Sharks are often caught unintentionally as bycatch in commercial fishing operations targeting other species. When sharks get caught in fishing gear like nets and longlines, they may be killed or injured in the process. Fear and Misunderstanding: Sharks are sometimes perceived as dangerous predators due to their sharp teeth and portrayal in popular media. This fear and misunderstanding of sharks have led to targeted killing in some places out of a misguided belief that they pose a threat to humans. Traditional Medicine: In some cultures, shark products are used in traditional medicine or as ingredients in health supplements. Trophies and Sport Fishing: Some people kill sharks for sport or as trophies, either for recreational fishing or competitions. Byproducts: In some cases, sharks are killed for other byproducts such as liver oil, cartilage, or meat, though these are less common reasons compared to shark finning and bycatch. IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT SHARKS. Sharks are fascinating creatures! And they are a key part of marine biodiversity. they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by preying on sick or weak animals, helping to prevent the spread of diseases. 1.Sharks have been around for about 450 million years, making them older than dinosaurs. 2. There are over 400 different species of sharks, ranging in size from the small dwarf lanternshark to the enormous whale shark. 3. Sharks have unique senses, including the ability to detect sounds and vibrations in the water from great distances. 4.Sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by preying on sick or weak animals, helping to prevent the spread of diseases. In conclusion: If sharks were to disappear, it would have profound and far-reaching consequences on marine ecosystems and beyond. Some of the potential impacts of the extinction of sharks include: 1. Disruption of Marine Food Webs: Sharks play a crucial role as top predators in marine food webs. Their absence could lead to an increase in populations of their prey species, which may in turn lead to declines in other species lower down in the food chain. This imbalance could have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem. 2. Loss of Biodiversity: Sharks are a key component of marine biodiversity. Their disappearance could result in a loss of species diversity and a reduction in the overall health and resilience of marine ecosystems. This could have negative consequences for a wide range of marine organisms, from fish and corals to marine mammals and seabirds. 3. Decline in Coral Reefs and Seagrass Beds: Sharks help regulate the abundance of herbivorous species that graze on algae, which in turn helps maintain the health of vital marine habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds. Without sharks to control these populations, these critical habitats could suffer from overgrazing and decline. Overall, the extinction of sharks would have serious consequences for marine ecosystems, biodiversity, fisheries, economies, and human well-being. Protecting and conserving sharks is essential for maintaining the balance and health of our oceans and the intricate web of life that depends on them.
Our Plan
What can we do to fix it ? 1. Ocean Awareness: Develop a comprehensive curriculum that combines freediving skills, shark education, and ocean awareness topics to provide a holistic learning experience. Include modules on marine ecosystems, conservation challenges, plastic pollution, climate change impacts, and sustainable practices. 2. Freediving Workshops: Organize freediving workshops and training sessions for people of all ages to learn about the basics of freediving, including safety guidelines, breath-holding techniques, equalization methods, and underwater skills. Emphasize the importance of respect for marine life and ecosystems during freediving activities. this can teach people and children how to freedive, understanding shark behavior, and raising awareness about the ocean is a fantastic way to promote ocean conservation, marine education, and a deeper connection to the marine environment. 3. Youth Engagement.: Children's Programs: Create tailored programs for children that introduce basic freediving principles in a safe and playful environment. Incorporate storytelling, games, crafts, and interactive activities to engage young participants in learning about the ocean, shark behavior, and conservation topics.“Empowering and involve young people in ocean makes a good education and Encourage students to become ocean advocates, ambassadors, and future leaders in marine conservation.” 4. Shark diving: By engaging people in shark diving experiences, you can inspire a deeper connection to sharks and their habitats. This increased awareness and appreciation can lead to greater support for shark conservation efforts. Shark diving experiences can attract media attention and help raise public awareness about the importance of shark conservation. Photos and videos from shark dives can be powerful tools for storytelling and reaching a wider audience with conservation messages 5. Collaborating wetsuits brands with marine conservation efforts can be a wonderful! wetsuits are important for safety during activities like diving, it helps with buoyancy, cuts from the reef, maintain body temperature and camouflage our skin from sharks. Color vision of sharks is not as well-developed as that of humans, but they can see contrast. White, bright yellow, pink, bright orange are definitely colors that they’ll get attracted. And our skin in the surface can look very white so is important to wear wetsuits. 4. Citizen Science: Support citizen science projects that involve the public in collecting data, monitoring marine species, and documenting changes in the ocean environment. Citizen scientists can contribute valuable information to research efforts and conservation initiatives. 4. Interactive Experiences: Organize interactive experiences such as snorkeling trips, guided dives, underwater photography sessions, and encounters with marine life to foster a hands-on connection to the ocean environment. Allow participants to observe sharks and other marine animals in their natural habitats under the guidance of experienced instructors. 5. Collaborate with marine conservation organizations, research institutions, and shark conservation groups to enhance the educational content of the project, access scientific resources, and support conservation efforts. Engage experts and scientists to provide insights into shark behavior and conservation strategies. 6. Organize community events, public talks, beach clean-ups, and film screenings to raise awareness about shark conservation, and ocean issues. Encourage participants to become ocean stewards, share their knowledge with others, and advocate for marine protection. By combining freediving instruction, shark behavior education, and ocean awareness activities in a cohesive project, I can empower people and children to develop a deeper appreciation for the ocean, foster a sense of responsibility towards marine conservation, and inspire a lifelong connection to the underwater world. This project has the potential to create positive change and instill a love for the ocean in participants of all ages. 🩵 Creating this project to unite people in educating them about the ocean is a wonderful initiative that can raise awareness, promote conservation, and inspire positive action.
