Ty SawyerSCUBA DIVING AUSTRALIA'S GREAT BARRIER REEF | MARINE LIFE | SHARKS
The Great Barrier Reef is home to numerous species of sharks, ranging from small, bottom-dwelling sharks, like Wobbegongs, to larger types, like Tiger and Hammerhead sharks. The most common species of sharks seen on the Great Barrier Reef are White-tip or Black-tip reef sharks. These sharks feed on fish and pose no danger to divers; in fact, they are quite timid and are easily scared.
Divers and fellow shark-lovers it's time to fire up your cameras and prove to PADI and Project AWARE just how much you love sharks for Earth Day — and possibly a prize. PADI and Project AWARE's joint "I Heart Sharks" photo contest begins April 9 for their Big Shark Shout Out campaign.
The project focuses on shark conservation and protecting them from things like overfishing, finning and bycatch that threatens several species with extinction. Scuba divers all over the world are standing up to help protect sharks and keep them off the endangered species list.
That's why, during the Big Shark Shout Out, Project AWARE asks for supporters to:
1. Sign the Shark Petition (http://www.projectaware.org/sharkpetition) – to pressure world leaders to close shark finning loopholes and provide greater trade protections for vulnerable shark species.
2. Add the Petition Widget (http://www.projectaware.org/project/big-shark-shout-out-petition-kit) – to their own blog or social network to push the 250,000 signatures goal and send up a stronger shout for sharks.
Visit projectaware.org to keep up with more details about the photo contest and the Big Shark Shout Out.