Half of the world’s 31 oceanic shark species are now listed as either endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. While this decline is due to many factors such as climate change and overfishing, simply creating policies and laws to further protect them can help improve the situation immensely. It is not too late to take action.
While for many, it is hard to feel a connection to these animals, it is important to know that we need them to survive. Sharks are an apex predator in marine life. They help maintain and balance the ecosystem and affect all species on the food chain. Without sharks, the marine food web will fail, ultimately leading to the collapse of the entire ocean ecosystem.
Here in the U.S. Chapter of Mare Nostrum, we believe that helping to spread awareness on the topic of shark finning is crucial. This includes our full support of the passing of the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act. The U.S. Senate will be voting on this Bill in the near future and the passing of this Act is essential. Mare Nostrum is dedicated to the belief that if the United States places stricter laws on fishing in regard to sharks, other countries will follow and we can ultimately save these majestic animals.
Since we don’t know the exact date that this important Bill will come to a vote in the Senate, it is essential to use whatever time we have left to make as big of an impact as we can.
There are many ways to join in on our mission.The most effective way of getting the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act passed is to show your support by contacting your senators and representatives. We have pre-written letters you can send to your senators that show your support in this legislative act. For any senator outside of Florida’s Marco Rubio (who is shown to be ardently against the Act), there’s a general letter where you just have to fill in the blanks with the Senator’s name and then with your own signature. If you reside in Florida, we have a letter specifically addressed to
Marco Rubio and all you need to do is sign your own name.
Whether it’s through social media or by more formal contact, every voice counts. Our government officials will only pass this Act if they believe that the citizens actually care about this issue. We need to join together and apply pressure on the situation, forcing them to listen. There have been many instances in the past where laws/bills were only passed due to the insistence of the public. That’s what the sharks need us to do now. If enough people demand the passing of the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, our government will listen. So we can’t stress enough that all of you matter. Every voice counts.
Since we don’t know the exact date that this important Bill will come to a vote in the Senate, it is essential to use whatever time we have left to make as big of an impact as we can.
There are many ways to join in on our mission.The most effective way of getting the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act passed is to show your support by contacting your senators and representatives. We have pre-written letters you can send to your senators that show your support in this legislative act. For any senator outside of Florida’s Marco Rubio (who is shown to be ardently against the Act), there’s a general letter where you just have to fill in the blanks with the Senator’s name and then with your own signature. If you reside in Florida, we have a letter specifically addressed to
Marco Rubio and all you need to do is sign your own name.
Whether it’s through social media or by more formal contact, every voice counts. Our government officials will only pass this Act if they believe that the citizens actually care about this issue. We need to join together and apply pressure on the situation, forcing them to listen. There have been many instances in the past where laws/bills were only passed due to the insistence of the public. That’s what the sharks need us to do now. If enough people demand the passing of the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, our government will listen. So we can’t stress enough that all of you matter. Every voice counts.
2. Use your social media!
3. Tell your friends!
4. Sign the petition or donate to Mare Nostrum.
