WHO
Keystone Species Alliance (https://keystonespeciesalliance.org/): Keystone Species Alliance is a nonprofit organization that serves as a platform for collaboration, advocacy, and education to safeguard keystone species and promote the sustainability and stability of ecosystems worldwide.
Earth Law Center (earthlawcenter.org): Earth Law Center is a nonprofit organization that advances Earth-centered laws and policies that restore nature to health. We advocate for transforming our legal, governance, and economic systems and
the relationships, values, ethics, and beliefs that create their foundation.
Mares de México
Company and organization, firmly dedicated to fostering collaborations in the fields of science, environmental education, art and entertainment. Their unwavering dedication is grounded in taking tangible action for the preservation of the oceans.
Snorkeling for Trash
It is an organization focused on creating a community united to act in favor of the conservation of the Caribbean Sea, through different actions such as sea and beach cleanups.
Oceans Week México (https://unworldoceansday.org/events/oceans-week-mexico-2023-ciudad-de-mexico-chapter/ and https://www.instagram.com/oceansweekmx/?hl=en):
Oceans Week Mexico is part of the United Nations' World Oceans Day celebrations. Experts and leaders from the private sector, public sector, and active civil society come together to address issues, inspire solutions, and present projects connecting decision-makers worldwide.
Saving Our Sharks Foundation (https://savingoursharksfoundation.org/): Saving Our Sharks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local communities' livelihoods by protecting shark populations. We aim to amplify and bring meaningful support to local communities by funding impactful shark conservation projects that bring long-term well-being for sharks, their habitats, and those who depend upon them.
WHAT
Collaborating with experts in marine biology, ecology, policy, and economics, we will identify ten species of sharks to serve as the focal point of our project. These selections will encompass species that are among the most endangered and endure the weight of the most adverse public narratives (i.e., Tiger, White, and Bull sharks). Our project will commence with a dedicated focus on Mexico and the USA, with plans to subsequently expand our efforts to encompass international frameworks or countries. The following key components will guide our efforts:
- Comprehensive Research: We will conduct meticulous research to quantify and communicate the multifaceted values associated with sharks. This effort will involve assessing their economic contributions through ecotourism and ocean health, amplifying their cultural significance and relational values within Indigenous and local communities, and exploring sharks' intrinsic value as integral species of our planet's biodiversity. (Deliverables could include a toolkit or report)
- Engaging Workshops: We will convene diverse stakeholders in a four-part series of interactive workshops to facilitate cross-disciplinary discussions on a holistic understanding of shark valuations to inform governance from local to international levels and catalyze action through global instruments and bodies (CBD, CITES, IUCN, etc.).
- Public Awareness Campaign: To amplify our impact, we will launch a dynamic public awareness campaign to inspire a shift in public perceptions and attitudes toward sharks. We will employ compelling storytelling, multimedia content, and educational resources to nurture empathy, challenge misconceptions, and spotlight the intricate ecological connections that necessitate their protection.
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WHY
Protecting sharks is essential because they play a crucial role in marine ecosystems and are considered keystone species. Here's why they are significant:
- Top Predator Regulation: Sharks occupy the top of the marine food chain, regulating the populations of their prey species. By controlling the abundance of these species, they help maintain the balance of the entire ecosystem.
- Biodiversity: Sharks help maintain biodiversity by preventing the overpopulation of certain species. This prevents species from dominating an ecosystem and helps support a wide range of marine life.
- Healthy Prey Populations: Sharks predominantly target weak and sick individuals within prey populations, keeping these populations healthier and stronger over time.
- Carbon Storage: Healthy marine ecosystems, facilitated by sharks' presence, are more effective at capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This contributes to the regulation of climate change.
- Tourism and Economy: Many regions depend on shark-related ecotourism, attracting divers and wildlife enthusiasts. Protecting sharks can help sustain local economies and provide jobs.
- Research and Education: Sharks provide valuable insights into marine biology, behavior, and ecology. Studying sharks can lead to a better understanding of ocean health and ecosystem dynamics, which can inform conservation efforts.
- Indicators of Ecosystem Health: Sharks' presence or absence can indicate the overall health of marine environments. Declining shark populations may signal underlying issues in the ecosystem.
- Cultural and Spiritual Significance: Sharks are culturally and spiritually important to many communities, and protecting them can help preserve cultural heritage.
- Intrinsic value: Sharks are independent, intrinsically valuable, and worthy of protection for their own sake, beyond the values and benefits they provide to humans. IPBES concludes that conservation is "more likely to foster transformative change" when it includes "the diverse values of nature," including differing worldviews and intrinsic values of the environment and species.