Trust Science, not Sensation, with Sharks
Sharks are a fascinating and adaptable species, and much more than what we see on TV during Shark Week. For over 400 million years, sharks have played an integral role in balancing marine ecosystems. Unfortunately, shark populations are at risk of overfishing and pollution, threatening their safety and increasing the odds of extinction. By working to protect sharks — keystone species that play critical roles in our oceans and coastal communities — we can help to ensure a vibrant and resilient ocean.
For many years, The Moore Charitable Foundation has partnered with leaders in shark research, education, advocacy, policymaking, and, where necessary, litigation, to drive long-lasting conservation outcomes, including:
- Cape Eleuthera Institute Shark Research and Conservation Program and Microwave Telemetry to conduct tagging and research with the goal of protecting important nursing grounds in the Atlantic Ocean;
- Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation to educate schoolchildren about declining shark populations;
- Global FinPrint at Florida International University, leading to the discovery of a new hammerhead shark species;
- Wildlife Conservation Society, to safeguard the last stronghold of the oceanic whitetips in the Atlantic and set an example for shark conservation action globally;
- The Shark Conservation Fund, which recently launched its 10-year, $100 million Shark Biodiversity Initiative; and
- Oceans 5, which sponsored a new study proving marine protected areas promote biodiversity and benefit fishing and food security.
While more challenges lay ahead, it is important to celebrate progress along the way. At the end of 2022, the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act finally became law as a part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. The enthusiasm and hard work of conservation advocates coupled with a bipartisan push in Congress made this milestone possible.
Just a month before that win, 97 new shark and ray species were added to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix II listings, limiting the trade of these species to more sustainable levels. And in March, the Our Ocean Conference in Panama illustrated the power of public-private partnerships with historic levels of commitments to protect the world’s oceans and the species that call it home.
When it comes to sharks, let’s look to science, not sensationalism. This incredible species is immeasurably more than its media portrayal. When we protect sharks, we protect the entire ocean!
