Why become a Shark-Free Marina?
The Shark Free Marinas Initiative works with resort marinas, municipal marinas and private marinas that cater to sport fishing vessels. We seek marina partnerships in asking regional fishermen not to allow sharks to be taken and displayed at their locations. This initiative, in turn, encourages the use of catch-and-release programs and promotes sustainable fisheries.
Marinas who support this initiative will receive support materials in the form of dock signs, advertising space and the right to use our logo.
Positive Media Exposure
Marinas join this initiative for a variety of reasons, namely positive media exposure, and the green effect. In today's marketplace the public perception of green businesses is shifting. Those company's that do business green are seeing higher traffic and dedicated consumers. Adding a Shark Free Marina sign to your site informs the public you care about the environment and sustainable fisheries. Think of it as a public green badge supported by our growing list of fishing industry members and NGO's.
Contribute to the Solution
Close to 7 million sharks are caught by sport fishing efforts in the USA each year. While many are released over 1/2 a million are kept for weigh ins and images. The rest of the animal is often donated, or dumped in local landfills. Shark Free Marinas hopes to stop this senseless one time use of a resource and instead allow animals to be caught and released. Forward thinking marinas in your region are already making the change, we would like to partner with you and make you a Shark Free Marina and in turn save sharks for future sport fishing generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Shark-Free Marina?
A Shark-Free Marina is a marina which does not allow caught sharks to be brought into their facility for display or slaughter. For more information please read our '
Terms of Association'.
How does becoming a Shark-Free Marina benefit my business?
Marinas join this initiative for a variety of reasons, namely positive media exposure, and the green effect. In today's marketplace the public perception of green businesses is shifting. Those company's that do business green are seeing higher traffic and dedicated consumers. Adding a Shark Free Marina sign to your site informs the public you care about the environment and sustainable fisheries. Think of it as a public green badge supported by our growing list of fishing industry members and NGO's.
Does is cost anything to become a Shark-Free Marina?
How can I donate to the Shark-Free Marina Initiative?
The SFMI is partnered with non-profit organizations to enable tax deductible donations. Please contact us at
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with your donation request.
You say you support 'catch and release', isn't this animal cruelty?
Shark-Free Marinas is empathetic towards animal rights but we are not an 'activist group'. We respect an anglers right to hunt for sport and food but do not accept irresponsible slaughter of sharks. A shark certainly undergoes trauma when caught but when released by skilled fishermen they recover quite quickly. When shark fishing is combined with research we also have unique opportunities to collect samples and implant data collecting tags to better monitor the populations health and movements.
Can I advertise on the Shark-Free Marina website?
Yes. Please contact us at
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with your request.
How can I join or help Shark-Free Marinas?
Members of the community are encouraged to approach their local marina and ask them to register as a Shark-Free Marina, and of course we always welcome any positive publicity and links. When using the Shark-Free Marina logo or name please adhere to our
Terms of Use. Shark-Free Marinas does not sponsor protests or rallies.
