Abandoned and lost fishing gear makes up about 10 percent of the trash that collects in the world’s oceans, according to a report from the United Nations. Much of this debris is lost in storms, vandalized or simply discarded. It piles up on beaches, creates a navigational hazard for boats or settles to the bottom, where it can damage sensitive ecosystems. Discarded nets can cause a particular problem as they continue to “ghost fish,”trapping fish and other sea animals like turtles, seabirds and dolphins.

Your voice mattered again this week. On June 11th, 2012 Project AWARE Foundation together with Shark Advocates International, Humane Society International, and WildAid sent a letter to the United States Fish And Wildlife Service as part of a public comment process on potential U.S. proposals for listing sharks and other species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

 
We did it! You helped us make history. Project AWARE and our partners in the Protect Our Coral Sea campaign are celebrating the Coral Sea becoming the largest marine reserve and the second largest marine national park in the world.
The Australian Government has announced a nationwide network of new marine reserves in a move that recognises there are limits to how much we can take from the ocean.

You could say we’re one year old today (even though technically, we’re nearing 20 as a registered nonprofit). But one year ago, on 8 June 2011, Project AWARE Foundation refocused and relaunched our commitment to ocean protection. 8 June is also World Ocean Day - a time when AWARE divers around the world take action and celebrate the ocean. A perfect day for an anniversary, wouldn’t you say?

We couldn’t be more inspired. Passionate diver, shark lover and competitive runner, Kendra Bolt, loves a challenge. This year, she’s combined her passions by establishing Project AWARE as a Charity Partner for the ING New York City Marathon in November 2012. Kendra will lead the Project AWARE team to train and raise funds for the ocean and we can’t wait to see them cross the finish line!
"I love sharks but the fight for their protection isn't just an emotional one. It's logical, it's empirical, and it's extremely important," says Bolt.

Sharks are in peril and the ability to buy and sell their fins and meat internationally is a big driver of shark over-exploitation. And regulation is sorely lacking for almost all trade in sharks which are sought for fins, meat, oil, teeth and cartilage.

We reached a massive milestone during April’s Big Shark Shout Out and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Hundreds of supporters shouted for sharks and took AWARE's shark petition to the streets helping reach an impressive total of 100,000 signatures. These signatures give a stronger, united voice to push for trade protection for the world's most vulnerable shark species. 

With your help, the voice for shark protection has grown - 100,000 strong!
April's Big Shark Shout Out 2012 has ended with a very loud and clear message to global policy makers that 100,972 SCUBA divers and shark advocates are demanding effective and enforceable shark protection measures.
Project AWARE is going to great lengths to ensure our collective voice helps secure trade protection for the most v

Oceanic whitetip sharks and hawksbill turtles appear to have little in common, but sadly they share a similar fate - both are highly valued for just one of their body parts, while the rest of the animal is usually discarded.
Hawksbill turtle shells are used for jewellery and souvenirs, while the oceanic whitetip's long, curved fins are highly prized for shark fin soup. In both cases the flesh is less valuable and often discarded, though whitetip shark meat is consumed in some regions.  

With Earth Day, 22nd April fast approaching, the Big Shark Shout Out is in full swing and it's louder, and madder, than ever before!
We love sharks - as divers we appreciate their beauty, respect their power and become mesmerised when we catch a glimpse underwater. We're so into sharks one could say, we are completely mad about them. In fact we're Shark Raving Mad to be precise.
The Oxford dictionary's definition of mad: 
1. very enthusiastic about someone or something
2. very angry