The governments located across the world are adding bits and pieces into the mix in order to save sharks against finning, but it’s not enough. Other groups that are taking small steps to help are nonprofit organizations. Although nonprofit organizations throw awareness out into the world, it still isn’t enough, but it is one step closer to finding a solution.
There are over 80 nonprofit organizations that help protect sharks against finning. A few include Fin Fighters, Project AWARE, and Oceana. The nonprofit organization called Fin Fighters is “an ambitious new UK shark conservation organization; on a mission to protect sharks worldwide and end the sale and distribution of shark fins in the UK by the year 2023.” (Fin Fighters). The Project AWARE organization took part in the European Union (EU) Shark Finning Ban. Their purpose is to protect policies on plastic debris, sharks, and rays (Project AWARE). Finally, Oceana’s purpose is to slow the decline in the shark population by spreading awareness (Oceana). In 2016, another nonprofit organization by the name of Lokai teamed up with Oceana. Lokai created a bracelet to help Oceana spread the awareness of shark finning. On their website, Lokai stated, “In honor of Shark Week, Lokai partnered with Discovery Channel to help restore the ocean’s balance. The proceeds from the limited-edition Shark Lokai aided Oceana in their quest to slow the decline in the shark populations and preserve balance in and out of the water. Support from the Lokai circle helped introduce the shark fin ban and save 4000 Dusky sharks.” (Lokai).
Similar to the wide-diversity of governments across the world, nonprofit organizations are also taking a step forward to save the sharks. I am proud to say that I was one of the people who participated in Lokai’s fundraiser for Oceana. I wear my bracelet to show that I am a proud supporter of sharks and that they need to be protected.
“Fin Fighters” Fin Fighters, http://www.finfighters.org/#home112 Mar. 2019
“Fin Fighters – Uniting the global shark movement” Youtube, uploaded by Fin Fighters, 22 Sep.
“Lokai” Lokai, https://lokai.com/pages/oceana12 Mar. 2019
“Oceana” Oceana, https://usa.oceana.org12 Mar. 2019
“Project AWARE”, Project AWARE, 2019 https://www.projectaware.org/what-we-do12 Mar.
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