The challenges facing ocean animals and marine environments are staggering. From marine debris to overfishing, bycatch and finning – it can sometimes feel like the odds are stacked against us in the fight for ocean protection. But Project AWARE volunteers around the globe are taking action and standing up for conservation! Colorado scuba instructor, Tim Riley, is no different.

As a dive instructor and ocean lover, Tim had always been interested in marine conservation. Whether educating his dive students about the impacts of marine debris on sea life or donating to ocean protection through 100% AWARE partnership, Tim has always put conservation at the heart of his dive business. So, when Project AWARE began campaigning for increased trade controls for sharks and rays at CITES CoP17, he knew he wanted to do something big to raise awareness for their protection.

Recognizing the obstacles faced by thresher sharks, the silky shark and devil rays, Tim decided to push himself to his own extreme challenge: he’d walk the Camino de Santiago, an almost 500 mile (780 km) long European pilgrimage route, in support of sharks and rays through Finathon.

“I was going to push myself to some pretty extreme challenges during my hike, and saw the similarities in what so many marine species – like sharks and rays – face on a daily basis. If my fundraising could help support ocean protection, even a little bit, it’d be worth the risk,” Tim explains.

Tim began his journey on August 25, 2016 from St. Jean, France. Following the most popular trail of the Camino de Santiago, “The French Route,” he hiked for 33 days straight, battling long days, an unexpected extreme heat wave, and aching, tired muscles, eventually completing the route and reaching its end point in Santiago, Spain. Despite the physical difficulty of his Finathon challenge, Tim remained motivated by his goal of raising funds and much-needed awareness for sharks and rays. With many other travellers and tourists travelling portions of the Camino de Santiago as well, Tim forged new friendships and shared his story with others along the way.

Says Tim, “It was one of the most physically and mentally challenging things I have ever done in my life… It was truly an adventure of a lifetime.”

Shortly after Tim completed his journey in Europe and returned home to Colorado, member parties at CITES CoP17 voted YES for Appendix II listings for 13 species of sharks and rays – securing much-need protections for vulnerable species… a welcome end to Tim’s incredible journey for ocean protection!

Want to help support Project AWARE’s work to protect sharks and rays like Tim? Host your own Finathon today.