We’ve come a long way since the horror-filled days of the 70s Jaws film that has promoted widespread fear about, not just great whites, but sharks of any kind. Conservationists are busting long-standing shark myths and securing much-needed protections for some of the world’s most vulnerable shark species. Sharks need you. Don't fear sharks! Fear an ocean without them.

In March, Project AWARE will attend the 5th World Ocean Summit and join more than 450 global leaders from government, industry, multilateral organizations, the scientific community and civil society for a constructive and solution-focused dialogue. Attendees will be challenged to bring a fresh perspective to key areas including fisheries, ocean plastics, governance, policy, and the application of new technologies to improve our oceans’ health while boosting its economy.

In the first of our Local Impact series, we chat with Christina Shaw from Big Blue dive center in Vanuatu. She shares how Dive Against Debris data has helped guide a Government decision to ban plastics.

12 months of challenges might sound pretty extreme to some. But Kimberly Cooper from the United Kingdom is determined to do something big for ocean conservation.

Take a look back at how we’ve connected your passion for adventure with the purpose of ocean protection to achieve local and global impact. Good things did happen in 2017!