One of television’s biggest events is upon us – Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. Whether you love their infamous programming or plan to boycott the drama, one thing is certain – scuba divers are some of shark’s biggest fans.  These vital creatures are critical to marine ecosystems but they’re in danger. The good news is that divers will go to great lengths to protect them. Scuba diver and Project AWARE supporter, Natalie Parrinder, has done just that.

Like many ocean enthusiasts, Natalie wasn’t always aware of the dangers posed to numerous shark species around the world. Often perceived as fierce, dominating and predatory, in reality, many shark species are incredibly vulnerable and subject to overfishing, bycatch and  finning – the practice of brutally slicing fins and disposing of shark bodies at sea. Largely unregulated shark fishing and finning practices across the globe are killing thousands each day. In certain regions, population counts are so low that the continued existence of some shark species hovers at levels of high risk.

Upon learning the facts, Natalie reached out to Project AWARE to find out how she could help make a difference, and protect her beloved ocean friends. Combining her love of swimming and desire to raise funds for a cause she cares about, Natalie organized a Finathon fundraiser event. Like a swim-a-thon, fun run, cycle or marathon, a Finathon provides a method for individuals and communities to come together to raise funds and awareness to support sharks in peril. 

Through her Finathon, Natalie, who had never before swam further than one kilometre in a single day, pledged to swim two kilometres per day over the course of five days – totalling 10 km!  She found her goal both challenging and motivating. With the support and contributions of her community, Natalie was able to raise generous funds for Project AWARE to support shark conservation efforts around the world.

With help from supporters like Natalie, Project AWARE has secured international trade protections for eight of the world’s most vulnerable sharks and rays. But, more help is needed. To ensure the survival of sharks, we must fight for stricter, enforceable controls at national, regional and global levels. With support from you, the scuba diving community, we can achieve stronger protections for some of the world’s most threatened species.

This year during shark week, be sure to keep conservation in mind. To organize your own fundraising event, visit projectaware.org/fundraise.