About the Regional Ambassador Program

There are many passionate organizations and people around the world who are working to save and protect our shark populations. Most of them offer a way to get involved through donations and education campaigns. However there are few groups that will put the responsibility of action in your hands. Shark-Free Marinas will do just that.

Our Regional Ambassadors are provided with literature, data and group support (through our facebook site) as well as recognition on our Honor Wall. Our RA's adhere to the SFMI code of conduct and aim to understand the position of marine businesses worldwide rather than making them feel like the bad guys. Our RA's are professional, passionate and together can help reduce worldwide shark mortality and make a difference in the world.

The ocean and your community need you

Each year an average of 78 million sharks are harvested from the ocean for their fins and meat. This staggering number equates to over 100,000 sharks per day and has resulted in a decline in some species of up to 90% and there are over 150 species of shark listed on the IUCN Redlist of Threatened species. This rate of harvest is quite simply unsustainable and threatens the overall health of the oceans. The loss of sharks from our oceans is a worldwide problem that seems almost too big for one person to tackle, but the Shark-Free Marina Initiative knows that you can make a difference by registering as an SFMI Regional Ambassador. Membership is completely free of charge.

As a Regional Ambassador you'll be given the tools necessary to visit your local marinas and sport-fishing businesses on behalf of SFMI. By presenting them with scientifically valid data and encouraging them to register as 'Shark-Free' you can do your part to save sharks and our oceans.

Our collective goal is for our RA's to register 100 Shark-Free Marinas by 2010.

The Shark-Free Marina Concept

Support Tools

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 concept is quite simple, if fishermen are prohibited from bringing sharks back to their marina docks it is more likely that the sharks will be released rather than killed. The more marinas that sign up for this program the higher the potential reduction in shark mortality. In addition we are helping set a global standard for shark conservation where it will no longer be acceptable to harvest threatened and endangered species of shark from the ocean.

How to become a Regional Ambassador

Becoming a Shark-free Marina Regional Ambassador is a simple process:

1. Register as a Shark-Free Marina Regional Ambassador at our website
   
   You will receive access to our Members area as well as become a stick pin on our Regional Ambassador Map. Your membership is free of charge.
   
   
2. Become a fan of the Shark-Free Marina Initiative
   
   Receive regular updates and news from SFMI by becoming a fan of SFMI at our facebook page at www.facebook.com/sharkfreemarinas Should you desire you will also appear on our publicly viewable Honor Wall, a place where we honor Regional Ambassadors who have registered a local business or marina.

What we can accomplish

The Tiger Shark is a Threatened Species

In a world where accountability is king it's time to lead by example. It's no longer enough to speak about poor management techniques and overfishing practices of foreign countries while the same thing is happening in our own backyard.

In the United States alone over 500,000 sharks are harvested on the Atlantic seaboard per year. Many of these are targeted for their size and trophy value. It is common knowledge that sharks can take many years (up to 15) before they are capable of reproduction and this 'mature age harvest' contributes significantly to the populations' inability to recover from overfishing.

By taking an active role in your community as a Shark-free Marina Regional Ambassador you will contribute to reducing these numbers and increasing the awareness of the plight facing sharks worldwide. By taking an educated approach to conservation you will be part of a change that quite simply needs to happen.

It's time to lead the way.

Hear from some of our Regional Ambassadors

Kate Metzler, 26, New York

Registered: Harwich Port Marina, Cape Cod

Kate Metzler

As many New Englander's do, I grew up summering on Cape Cod. Beach, boats and everything in between is how I spent my summer days. For my family and myself our summer vacations quickly turned into a life long love affair with the ocean. A few years back my brother was so inspired by the maritime lifestyle and 'catch and release' sport fishing that he created a clothing line to match it. Because of his lifestyle and business I have also fallen in love with catch and release fishing. Now that our family business depends on the ocean, I am even more determined to teach my nieces and nephews about responsible fishing. I understand how fortunate I am to have seen the diverse marine life that the Atlantic Ocean has to offer and I would die if my nieces and nephews were robbed of that.

My affinity towards sharks was always just there with me. Recently my anxiety about the fate of the ocean has led me to feel frustrated because I couldn't find an outlet in which I could tangibly help. Giving donations to organizations, or signing a petition all felt detached from the cause. I wanted to get my hands dirty and feel like I was really contributing to the preservation of the ocean, specifically sharks. To my relief I learned about the Shark-Free Marina Initiative and was impressed with how simplistic their message was. All I had to do now was act. The SFMI gave me the tools to feel like an accomplished shark conservationist, and I am forever indebted to them for that.

Jillian Morris and Duncan Brake, Bahamas

Registered: Bimini Sands Marina, Old Bahama Bay Resort

Jillian Morris & Duncan Brake

Duncan and I got involved because we felt this could be a very powerful tool in the United States and the Bahamas. Big game fishing is as deeply rooted in Bimini's culture as are rum and Hemingway. My first visit to Bimini was in 2005 and I remember seeing a 10ft hammerhead strung up at a dock on the north island. The beauty of that creature was completely demeaned as its limp body hung, awaiting the jaws to be cut out and the rest thrown back. That experience, along with seeing so many dead sharks on docks in South Florida, catalyzed my push for spreading this movement across the island and to neighboring islands.

Four years later we still have fishermen at known shark diving spots on the island, fishing for bull sharks in the marinas after they have thrown all their scraps, and haul in sharks just to cut out their jaws, throwing the rest away. Knowing this, Duncan and I decided to approach several marinas on Bimini and Grand Bahama.

The Bimini Sands Resort and Marina was the first in the Bahamas to join the Shark Free Marina campaign. With only one other marina signed on, many were skeptical, but in March of 2009 Old Bahama Bay located at the West End of Grand Bahama agreed. Being the customs clearance point for several shark diving operations, they wanted to send a positive message to the community and visitors about these animals. I spent time with numerous employees explaining how best to answer people's questions and they all seemed proud to wear this particular flag. Duncan and I are still working on several marinas in the area and are hoping as more sign on globally and the word spreads, these marinas will join the fight. The SFMI is a powerful tool in the fight to save these animals and one that we think is going to be very effective!

A word to Marinas from Brenda Vitucci of the Marina Network Group

Brenda Vitucci

As Marina owners and operators, you should strive to take some responsibility to be the guardians of our Oceans and Protectors of the Magnificent Sharks within....and pave the way for boaters and fishermen (your customers) to follow your lead.

Promote catch and release techniques and work to educate the public about the diminishing number of so many important species of sharks, and how important these animals are to the future well being of our oceans. This is an intelligent initiative that your marina can support to show patrons you care about more then just filling a boat slip.....you care about our legacy. Take a stand.

About Oceanic Defense.org

We are a global organization with members in more than 60 countries spanning 6 continents with 1 mission: Healthy aquatic ecosystems free of human abuse & neglect.

We are continually seeking ways to improve our aquatic environment by working with responsible corporate, private and research partners on the international, national and local levels.

The most important job we have is to change perception. To really show people that how we live our lives (no matter how far from the oceans or water ways) affects everything that happens in our ocean. We use Facebook as one of our main communication tools in addition to our own website.