The 2013 European dive show season is now in full swing. From Paris to Düsseldorf, Milan to Madrid, without forgetting London, the Project AWARE team is rallying support for its new "Extinction is NOT an Option" campaign.

After Paris earlier this month, next on our agenda was Boot Düsseldorf from 19 to 27 January in Germany. Divers came from all corners of the globe braving the snow and airports closure to attend this popular and well attended dive industry event.

"We are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the supporters who visited us on our stand and came to watch our presentations on the main stage. Our booth was packed full of activities such as a 'Tell us why you love the ocean' photo booth, a very successful raffle and some new Project AWARE Tshirts and Hoodies made by Fourth Element.  From your generous support, we raised over €4500 for the Extinction is NOT an Option campaign. Thank you!" commented Jennifer Constant, Project AWARE Associate Director Fundraising.

The tickets were drawn on 27th January and we're pleased to announce the winners:

- Connelia Georg won the beautiful Ceramic Reef Shark Sculpture by Sub Aquatic Art.

- Thomas Schmitz won the fantastic prize offered by All West Curacao (1 week Junior Apartment incl. rental car and 6 days non limit shore diving for 1 person).

- Daniel Bolten and Werner Thiele won 3 days accommodation in Diver Villa, 4 dives on Protea Banks and full rental gear courtesy of Africa Dive Adventures.

- Nora Martens, Dirk Wichmann and Thomas Koethe are the lucky winner of a Blue Heaven Holiday adventure to Marsa Alam, Egypt.

Congratulations and thanks to all the participants!

Our special thanks go to all our sponsors Blue Heaven Holidays, African Dive Adventures, All West Diving and Sub Aquatic Art for the fantastic prizes they've generously donated.

Dive shows offer an unique opportunity to celebrate with you our conservation successes and rally support for the many marine conservation challenges ahead of us. First challenge on our list for 2013 is ensuring that CITES leaders listen to our collective voice and give sharks and rays the trade protection they desperately need.

Already armed with more than 120,000 petition signatures, we are in the final stages of securing critical conservation measures for sharks and rays at the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties to be held in Thailand from 3 to 14 March.

Our petition, launched after 8 vulnerable shark species failed to receive trade protection in 2010, is urging CITES leaders to use their vote in favour of the 11 shark and rays proposals supported by 38 countries that are being put forward for consideration.

Your support and generous donations at dive industry events such as dive shows will go a long way towards protecting sharks in peril in the next coming months.

From all of us at Project AWARE, Thank You. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming dive shows in Milan, Madrid, London and soon in the Asia Pacific region.