Shark Conservation Fund Makes $25 Million Commitment to Sharks and Rays
Five years ago, the Shark Conservation Fund (SCF) made a commitment at the 2017 Our Ocean Conference to award $8 million to support global shark and ray conservation. Ultimately, that turned into a $10 million investment that catalyzed an additional $13 million to see major conservation outcomes for sharks and rays and, by extension, the world’s oceans.
During that time, SCF secured full legal protection for 198 shark and ray species in key countries, established more than 200,000 square kilometers of shark and ray beneficial marine protected areas (MPAs), and initiated new shark and ray management measures in 19 countries.
Buoyed by that success, at the 2022 Our Ocean Conference in Palau, SCF launched a new commitment of $25 million over five years to help ocean health and biodiversity through shark and ray conservation. That effort will include expanding MPAs, protecting more species, working to ensure sustainable trade, and establishing stronger fishing regulations.
SCF members include the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, The Moore Charitable Foundation, Oceans 5, Leonardo DiCaprio, Re:wild, Save Our Seas Foundation, and the Volgenau Foundation.
As actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio said in the announcement,
“We launched the Shark Conservation Fund to raise awareness and much needed funds for the protection of priority shark and ray species and the need for results-oriented investments in our oceans has only continued to grow. Over the last five years, SCF has worked tirelessly to restore populations and prevent extinction.”
At The Moore Charitable Foundation, we couldn’t agree more.
