Lewis Pugh Shark Swim

A shocking 100 million sharks are still killed globally every year. That’s 274,000 killed each day, for their meat, oil, cartilage, fins …. and for sport.

Sharks are key indicators of ocean health. A decline in sharks signals a system out of balance.

Greater biodiversity helps ecosystems to be robust, resilient and adaptable in the face of global climate challenges. So removing sharks – or any other keystone species – makes it more difficult for an ecosystem to handle changes such as habitat destruction, pollution, rising temperatures, or all three.

Change fear into healthy respect

We want to challenge the idea that sharks are vicious, aggressive, bloodthirsty and vindictive. Our aim is to turn fear into healthy respect by amplifying the voice of the shark protection community, shining a light on innovative research and new insights.

The three-year programme will engage one billion people across the world, and  will be a key component of our 30×30 call for at least 30% of the oceans to be protected by 2030.