(DiverWire) Shark Angels, an international group dedicated to helping protect and preserve the world’s shark populations, has designed and produced a beautiful and engaging 2013 calendar that highlights sharks as well as the institutions that study them and the people who have dedicated themselves to protecting them. Each month the calendar features a beautiful shark picture, a shark fact about the species in the photo, the IUCN status of that shark as well as information regarding the importance of sharks. All selected photos were voted on by the public through a photo contest.
Sharks are killed solely for their fins to satisfy an unsustainable appetite for shark fin soup. The shark is hooked and brought aboard the boat where its fins are then cut off and the still alive but limitless animal is tossed back into the sea to drown.
With each minute that passes, close to 200 sharks are killed, adding up to an astonishing 73 million deaths each year. Scientists estimate that global fish stocks will be in full collapse by 2048 if current consumption and destructive fishing practices continue. But even more shocking is the concern that the majority of the ocean’s shark species could be extinct within the next 10-20 years.
Ocean and shark enthusiasts (scientists, scuba divers, surfers, or simply those with a love for the ocean) have already been exposed to information regarding the drastic decline of shark populations and the scientific ramifications of that decline through a number of increasingly visible sources in the past few years. Shark Angels hopes this calendar becomes a platform to inspire people to become more educated and involved in the movement to save sharks (and in doing so, save the oceans).
All proceeds from calendar sales will benefit their Fin Free campaign, a global movement to push and support shark friendly legislation and their Youth Shark Education campaign, which seeks to inform and inspire the next generation of conservationists.
Calendars are available for $20 on the SHARK ANGELS website and wholesale prices are available for businesses buying in bulk. Perfect for holiday gifts.
Shark Angels seeks to empower people locally to create a collaborative community with a shared passion, initiating campaigns fueled by positive education, media, and grassroots outreach.
