Discovery Channel’s Shark Week is touted as “the most wonderful week of the year.” But why is it wonderful? Beyond its clever marketing and exaggerated storytelling, Shark Week shines an essential spotlight on our misunderstood finned friends.

At the top of the food chain, sharks help maintain a balanced ocean ecosystem. But as a scuba diver, you know that a shark sighting is a rare and extraordinary experience. Overfishing, bycatch and finning are depleting shark populations at an alarming rate. Nearly one in four shark and ray species is classified by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as Threatened with extinction.

But thanks to committed supporters like you, Project AWARE has already helped secure protection for 21 species of shark and rays under the Convention on Migratory Species. We’ve gained historical protections for eight species of sharks and rays under CITES (Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). And we’ve continued to fight long and hard to tighten loopholes in finning bans across the globe. But the clock is ticking for shark and ray species and we need your help.

If you’re FINatical about sharks like we are, make a splash with a swim challenge and raise vital funds for shark protection. A Finathon can be as simple as a few laps in your pool, an island relay or wacky races in shark suits. Put your fins on for sharks and get swimming to fundraise for their protection.

Your fundraising action helps us:
● Fight to stop finning
● Insist on full protections for critically endangered sharks and rays
● Negotiate strong policies to ensure a brighter future for all sharks and rays

Together, we’re making strong arguments for change. We’re working hard to secure more protections for vulnerable shark and ray species and drive policies for a clean, healthy ocean. Through trade agreements, fisheries management and much more, we’re helping shape the policies to halt the extinction and clean up the mess.

Thank you for standing strong with us. We look forward to seeing your Finathon event kick into action!