Shark Conservation

Every day the world’s shark population shrinks. Some estimates suggest that over 100 million sharks are slaughtered every year, most of these for their fins alone. ‘Finning’ or the killing of sharks and dumping of their carcass after the dorsal fin is removed is the primary culprit for the massive numbers of sharks killed annually.

At this rate, the risk of extinction draws ever closer for certain species.

If you want to do something about it, we have gathered some resources below to help you get started. There are many like minded people who also want to help and anything you can do will help.

Shark Conservation on Malapascua

Since opening in 2004, TSD has been at the forefront of conservation efforts on Malapascua, and of course thresher sharks are a big part of that. One of the first things TSD’s owner, Andrea, did after opening was propose a list of rules for diving with the thresher sharks. This was both to aid in responsible diving, as well as ensuring the sharks were not bothered or harassed by divers.

We are pleased to say that these rules were accepted by the other dive centers, are still in place today and generally very well followed.

For several years now, there has been a marine patrol in place, that regularly patrols for fishermen. We are pleased and proud to say that shark numbers on Malapascua have never been better. If you came to Malapascua in the “early days,” you were lucky to get a single good sighting of one shark. Now it’s not unusual to see 10 or more on one dive! Such a great thing for any shark lover to hear in this world of declining shark numbers worldwide!

Malapascua Thresher Shark
Whitetip Sharks Malapascua

Petitions

  • Shark Guardian
  • Petition Online
  • Care2 Petitions
  • Shark Trust Petition

Web Sites

  • PADI Aware Shark Conservation – Sharks & Rays: Vulnerable Species Protection
  • Shark Guardian – Conservation, Education, Research, Expeditions
  • Shark Research Institute – Conservation, Research, Education, Legislation
  • Adopt a Shark – Adopt your own shark for only $2 a month
  • The Shark Foundation – To contribute to the protection and preservation of sharks
  • Wildaid – Shark Conservation program
  • Saving Sharks – Ways to get involved
  • Shark Trust – The UK charity for shark conservation
  • Sharklife – Conservation group
  • Shark Savers – Awareness, Education, Action
  • Shark Alliance – Coalition of NGOs dedicated to the conservation of sharks
  • The Dorsal Fin – News and info about sharks to promote awareness
  • Elasmodiver – Sharks and Rays of the world

Facebook Communities

  • Support Our Sharks
  • Shark Finatics
  • Stop Shark Finning
  • Banquet Goers Say No to Shark Finning

Movies

If you haven’t already seen it or know someone who needs some convincing, Sharkwater is a must see.

Public Service Announcements from Wildaid.

Products

Use your purchasing power to buy sharky products whose profits go to shark conservation!

Tresfin – Designer kitchen knives: a stainless steel shark-tooth-sharp blade with a shark face design and an ergonomic and non-slip rubber coated handle shaped like a shark’s body.