July 14th
Shark Awareness Day
We see sharks, feared and respected, but cruelly hunted and harmed, as ruthless predators. In fact, several species are threatened with extinction due to human activity. Nevertheless, sharks are key players in the marine ecosystem, helping to maintain balance. For this reason, Shark Awareness Day is celebrated every year on July 14th.
No other animal has appeared in as many Hollywood movies as sharks, with over 180 films featuring them. However, in recent decades, humans have pushed sharks to the brink of extinction through overfishing, finning, and bycatch. More than 100 million sharks are killed each year, with some species classified as endangered. Friend of the Sea is calling on everyone to join their efforts to protect sharks by spreading awareness and supporting sustainable fishing practices. Sharks play a crucial role in the ecosystem, but their populations have decreased by 71% due to unsustainable fishing. Shark finning, where fins are cut off live sharks, is a particularly cruel practice that still persists in some countries. Additionally, there is a market for shark meat, and sharks often end up as unintentional bycatch. Friend of the Sea has launched initiatives such as an international petition to ban shark finning and a new standard for whale shark tourism. On Shark Awareness Day, become a friend of sharks and help save these magnificent creatures. The marine ecosystem will thank you.
