I am thrilled to be writing this, my first blog at Friends for Sharks, and it is just the start of an exciting journey for us. Our cause only came into existence less than a month ago and already we have had very positive support and feedback.

In our first few weeks we have formed a fantastic partnership with The Scuba News and Dive Media and would like to say a huge thank you to them for producing our website. We have also been sponsored and supported by Shark Diving Xperts, who have provided our tour clothing. We can’t wait to see the t-shirts when they arrive – thank you SDX!

At the moment we are working away behind the scenes and are on the verge of launching our business sponsorship pitches.

We would really like to pitch for sponsorship with over 500 likes of our Facebook page.

Please show your support and give us a like here.

A strong social media presence is not only important for gaining sponsors but it is also a great way for us to see that we have the support of others when we set off around the world in February 2015 on our World Tour. It is no small task organising an eleven month tour in aid of shark and marine conservation but we are enjoying every moment of it! We have given up our paid work to do this and, whilst it is daunting, it feels fantastic to be dedicating our time and skills to doing something positive for this world.

There have been some interesting articles in the news this week, especially following the announcement that the shark cull in Western Australia (#noWAsharkcull) is no longer going ahead this year. The amount of work that has gone into stopping the cull is nothing short of phenomenal and it has shown that using your voice and being persistent can really make a difference. We are watching the news closely though, as recent developments have suggested that the Western Australian Government are still seeking Federal approval of the three year drum lining proposal.

“Should Mr Hunt’s decision side with science and back the Premier’s own decision to scrap the drum lines based on EPA advice, it may provide momentum for a much-needed Government re-assessment of shark cull policies on Australia’s east coast.”
“Perhaps one positive outcome from Premier Barnett’s misguided 2014 shark cull will be a turning point in the debate on the east coast, where culling began in the 1930s and has hung on as policy due to inertia rather than sound science.”

Let’s hope they see sense and scrap the cull once and for all! That would provide much needed momentum and support towards ending shark culls elsewhere, such as along Australia’s east coast and within South Africa. The full article can be found here

To end on a happy note…today we can’t stop watching a clip of a well known Tiger shark, Emma, who stole a diver’s camera rig. It is one to make you smile and certainly reminds me how much personality sharks have: Emma