"Give Sharks a Break" Shout Finn and Finley
Meet Finn and Finley, Project AWARE Sharks on Tour
They have a hammer-like shape head, a trendy Hawaiian look, and they are on a mission to spread the word that sharks need urgent protection!
Since World Oceans Day June 2011, Finn and Finley have been touring the world to rally support for shark conservation! After visiting dive centers and PADI Professionals in the Dominican Republic, Australia, Thailand, United Kingdom, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Florida and Sweden, Finn and Finley are now calling on divers around the world to sign two critical shark petitions during Big Shark Shout Out Week Oct 15 - 23: "Make the Push for Europe's Sharks" calling on fisheries ministers to close loopholes in the EU shark finning ban and "Give Sharks a Fighting Chance" calling on decision makers to give vulnerable shark species the trade protection sharks deserve.
Shout Out for Sharks with Finn and Finley:
- Sign the petitions
- Like them on Facebook
- Read their blog
- Check out their "Sharks on Tour" photo album on Flickr
- Donate to support Finn and Finley outreach and advocacy work for shark protection
Finn and Finley are worried about the fate of their shark friends. Why? Nearly one out of five shark species is classified by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as Threatened with extinction. That doesn’t even include hundreds of species (almost half of all sharks) whose population status cannot be assessed because of lack of information. Scientists warn that, in actuality, a third of sharks might already be threatened.
Finn and Finley deeply miss the time when in some cultures sharks were considered to be gods of the sea, also protectors of humans, and cleaners of excessive ocean life.
In Hawaiian culture Hammerhead sharks are considered to be one of the most respected sharks of the ocean, an "aumakua" . Many Maui (the second-largest Hawaiian Island) natives believe that when the hammerhead sharks pass by, it is a sign that the gods are watching over the families, and the oceans are clean and balanced. So if Finn and Finley are passing by your local dive center show them your love and respect and help them make people understand the critical role sharks play in our oceans.
It's not all doom and gloom!
There have been some great news for sharks this year. In the United States - Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Guam and the Marshall Islands have banned sales of shark fin. The Californian Senate passed a ban on Sept 6th, which was signed by Governor Jerry Brown last Friday. In Canada, a number of cities are considering a ban including Toronto, and a nationwide ban was recently proposed. Shark fishing bans have been passed in Palau and the Bahamas, and one is pending in Fiji.
So let's keep the pressure on!
Follow Finn and Finley on Facebook, read their blog to keep up to date with the latest news on the EU shark finning ban and what's happening for sharks around the world, and most importantly take action to protect sharks before they become extinct.
Finn and Finley's touring adventures will end on World Oceans Day June 08, 2012 so make sure you don't miss out on this great opportunity to learn more about sharks and help support shark conservation.
