A brief history of the Shark-Free Marina Initiative
In September of 2007 and again in 2008 reports and photos of a sport caught 13ft female Tiger shark in the Bahamas hit the desk of a commercial shark diving and conservation blog called 'Underwater Thrills: Swimming With Sharks'. The blog, run by Patric Douglas of Sharkdivers.com reported that these sharks had been killed by visiting tourists and that one of these female sharks was gravid (pregnant) with her near term pups cut out and left to die.
The Tiger shark is an IUCN Threatened species.
After consultation with the Cape Eluthera Institute in the Bahamas and with Luke Tipple (the SFMI's present Director) the concept of a marina which would not permit threatened species of sport caught sharks to be displayed within its facility was born. The original idea remains the same today, that if it was impermissible to bring these sharks to the dock then fishermen would be more likely to practice catch and release fishing.
Out of these conversations the 'Shark-Free Marina Initiative' was born and posted on the sharkdivers blog to be adopted and vetted by the shark community. An immediate positive response was received as people saw a chance to be part of a real solution to shark-overfishing.
Appropriately enough the first marinas to register as 'Shark-Free Marinas' were in the Bahamas. Two research students, Duncan Brake and Jillian Morris of the organization Shark Savers, managed to convince the Bimini Sands resort to join 'Shark-Free Marinas' and Duncan even spent his own money to print signs to be hung at the docks.
As discussions with our eventual partners, CEI (Bahamas) and the Fisheries Conservation Foundation (USA), progressed the prime directives of the SFMI were eventually refined to a point which made it clear we needed organization. With this in mind Tipple was asked to serve as Director of the SFMI and coordinate the website, PR and public image of the organization. After a couple of months Sharkfreemarinas.com was launched with a clear mission:
“The Shark-Free Marina Initiative has a singular purpose, to reduce worldwide shark mortality. We encourage shark conservation at sport fishing and resort marinas by prohibiting the landing of any shark at the participating marina. The SFMI works with marinas, fishermen and like minded non-profit groups to form community conscious policy and increase awareness of the need to protect our sharks, our ocean and our legacy.”
Now with a clearly defined identity that includes logos, signs, publicly available support tools (and a video created by RTsea Productions) the SFMI has opened its doors back up to an eager and passionate shark community. We aim to work with the general public by enabling them with support materials such as letters of invitation and an Education Center, so that they may be an educated and active part of social change.
Even more so we aim to work with the many businesses (marinas, competition organizers, tackle manufactures) and fishermen involved in the fishing industry to find solutions that work for all.
As an organization SFMI will take a sensible approach to conservation and will always endeavor to find a scientifically satisfactory middle ground. Together we stand to prevent the reduction in shark populations by up to ½ a million per year in the United States with potential for exponentially more worldwide.
We look forward to a future where science and sensible policy will work together to protect our oceans.
Authorized by: Luke Tipple
Director, Shark-Free Marinas
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