Join the Movement to
Protect our Ocean Planet.
Version 1- June 2011
Our Vision
A return to a clean, healthy and
abundant ocean planet.
Our Mission
Project AWARE Foundation mobilizes
the world’s divers into a
global force to protect our ocean planet.
Sharks in Peril
Marine Debris
Millions of sharks are killed every year…
Shark meat for food
 shark fins for a bowl of soup
 shark teeth for jewellery
 shark jaws for tourist souvenirs
 shark skin for leather wallets/belts
shark cartilage for medicine – no proof of medicinal properties
 shark liver oil for cosmetics/skin care products
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• The removal of the fins from a shark
and discarding the carcass overboard
Are there any laws to regulate this?
• There are finning bans in over 20
countries but it is difficult to enforce
• Examples:
• EU allow separate landings of fins
and carcass with special permits
• New Zealand - the ban only applies
to live sharks
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Estimated 1 out of 5 evaluated species threatened
70-80% decline of some shark populations globally
89% decline of Hammerhead Shark in some regions
90% decline of Porbeagle and Spiny Dogfish in some regions
Why are sharks vulnerable to
overfishing?
• Grow slowly, mature late, produce few young
Sharks keep marine ecosystems in balance
by stopping other species from overpopulating
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International management; effective fishing bans,
domestic policy
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CITES operates by controlling the international trade in
various wildlife products via a system of import and export
permits.
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CITES currently lists three species of shark: basking, whale
and great white.
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However, all sharks put forward for protection were
rejected at the last meeting in March 2010
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Project AWARE is lobbying
governments to heed scientific
advice and provide better
protection
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Campaign momentum to next
CITES meeting in 2013

70,000 signed the petition so
far
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Lobbying for an effective
EU Finning Ban
• An end to the practice of shark finning
• An increase in protection for vulnerable shark
species so shark population numbers can
improve
• An increase in the percentage of the ocean
currently protected
• Sharks to be landed with their fins naturally
attached for better monitoring
Step 1: Sign the petition
Demand better protection of sharks
Step 2: Lobby your leaders
Step 3: Speak out and teach
Step 4: Join the movement
Be part of a community of divers taking action for
our ocean planet
Sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, fishes and seabirds are affected by marine
debris - for example ingest or become entangled in trash.
In 2010, Project AWARE supporters brought to the surface…
175,018
Plastic Bottles
56,653
Food Wrappers
89,945
Cigarette Filters
49,061 Caps and Lids
81,878
Plastic Bags
46,109
Beverage Cans
And much more….
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A reduction in the amount of debris entering
the ocean
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To show the world and log what we see when
we go underwater
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Improved waste management practices.
Step 1: Volunteer
Step 2: Remove Debris
Step 3: Record Data
We need to work together to fill data gaps
The data you report will help drive change in how
we prevent, reduce and manage waste both locally
and globally.
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Dive carefully
Be AWARE of your body and equipment
Keep your dive skills sharp
Consider your actions
Understand and respect underwater life
Be an Eco-Tourist
Respect underwater cultural heritage
Report disturbance
Be a role model
Get involved
to join a global force of advocates. Why?
• Divers can play a greater role in making positive changes in the
environment
• We are a powerful economic constituency
• Our collective voice can be brought to decision-makers to affect
real change
• Together we can connect everything we do locally to achieve
our goals on a larger national, regional and international level
Log on to projectaware.org/myocean
• Join events and volunteer - Dive Against Debris,
Shark Specialty Courses
• Upload your conservation photos and videos
• Blog, comment – engage with those around
you who are taking action
• Look out for action alerts, online contests, weeks
of action to rally your energy and support for the
cause
A clean and
healthy
ocean
An abundant
ocean rich
in diversity
….we can provide the underwater
perspective of marine debris
impacts, take action to reduce waste,
improve waste management
practices, end littering and prevent
debris from entering the ocean
…. we can end unsustainable shark
fishing, increase protection for
vulnerable shark species and reverse
the drastic decline of shark
populations worldwide.
Thank you.
Protecting our Ocean Planet –
One Dive at a Time
www.projectaware.org