Enthusiastic divers keen to put a stop to marine rubbish are saying no to straws. It’s a small step which makes a big difference. Straws are one of the top items found by divers who regularly Dive Against Debris.

Americans who eat shark fin soup—an Asian delicacy costing up to $100 per bowl in the United States—might be unknowingly consuming an endangered species. According to an unprecedented scientific analysis by Stony Brook University, the Field Museum in Chicago and with support from the Pew Environment Group, the shark fin soup served in 14 U.S. cities contains at-risk species, including scalloped hammerhead, which is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Endangered globally.

A marine scientist has urged people to "think twice about litter" after a basking shark was filmed in Manx waters with plastic around its nose.
The sighting comes just two weeks after a grey seal was pictured with plastic around its throat near Kitterland.
Jackie Hall, of Manx Basking Shark Watch (MBSW), said: "The images are terrifying."
The basking shark was filmed by a kayaker off the coast of Peel, who described it as "extremely upsetting".

Today, Richard Benyon, UK Minister for the Natural Environment and Fisheries, swam with sharks at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium in support of strengthening the EU ban on shark ‘finning’ (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea).
The swim launches a Shark Trust initiative asking MEPs and aquariums across the country to work together to show their support for tighter shark finning regulations ahead of crucial votes this autumn.

A big thanks to Austin Williams for raising over $2,000 through the sale of his funky t-shirt designs. Austin combines his creativity and passion for the ocean to create unique humorous t-shirts with a serious message.
“Dive T-Shirts supports Project AWARE’s Mantas at Risk Campaign and this month’s favourite tee is ‘What Manta?’ said Austin.

The clock’s ticking for vanishing shark species and now is the time to join the race to protect them. It's inspiring to catch up with Finathon Champion and PADI Course Director Katy Bloor. Katy held a super successful Finathon at Sub-Mission Dive Centre, UK where over 70 divers put on their fins in protest against shark finning and swam 100 kilometers to raise funds for Project AWARE’s shark campaign.

Shark Advocates International is congratulating the government of Sri Lanka for adopting rules to protect three species of thresher sharks -- wide ranging species characterized by their exceptionally long tails – in line with a 2010 agreement by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).

It’s truly an honor - Project AWARE was recently named one of “11 Nonprofits That Excel at Social Media” by Nonprofit Tech 2.0.
Being nominated alongside esteemed organizations including Amnesty International, UNICEF and the Nature Conservancy is extremely exciting and a true testament that you don’t need large resources to launch and maintain successful online communications and campaigns. You just need a dedicated team and a passionate group of supporters.

The number of basking sharks recorded in Britain's seas could be increasing, decades after being protected from commercial hunting in the late 20th century. The most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken of basking shark sightings in UK waters, by the University of Exeter, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) and Wave Action, is published in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series.