Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education

 

You Can Help us Save Sharks . . . 08 June 2007 Yes, today is World Ocean Day! In addition to celebrating, today is a perfect day to make a difference .... YOU can help us save sharks. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is considering the inclusion of two shark species on their protected list. This weekend and the following week, 171 member counties will meet to consider new proposals for restricting trade in threatened species. However, Canada, the United States, and New Zealand are among the countries that may oppose the proposal. The meetings occur only once every two years, so if these sharks aren't included on the list now, we may not get the chance to save them again. More than 100 MILLION sharks are killed each year, many for their fins alone. Overfishing has decreased shark populations by more then 90% in the last 30 years alone. Click here to send a letter to the following US, Canadian, and New Zealand representatives: Canadian Environment Minister John Baird Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Loyola Hearn William Hogarth, US National Marine Fisheries Service US Fish and Wildlife Service New Zealand Conservation Minister Chris Carter Head of NZ Delegation to CITES Walmer Dovey These countries were three of the first four to ban shark finning, and sharks need their help, again. Both of these shark species are in danger because they grow slowly, mature late, and have few offspring, so overfishing is quickly reducing their populations to alarmingly low numbers. The form (via the link above) will allow you to add personal comments, but if you prefer, you may also phone these government officials and tell them that you want to save sharks. Please make your voice be heard! -> Canadian Environment Minister John Baird: +1 819-997-1441 -> Loyola Hearn, Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans : +1 613-993-0999 -> New Zealand Minister of the Environment Marian Hobbs +64 4 439 7400 Thanks, and have a wonderful World Ocean Day!

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