News
Project AWARE welcomes new Associate Director Policy and Campaigns to its team
Project AWARE has welcomed Ian Campbell as its new Associate Director, Policy and Campaigns.
Ian Campbell draws from 20 years’ experience in marine conservation, working in the public, private and NGO sectors. His extensive international work experience and background as marine surveyor, commercial diver, fisheries officer, and author and consultant on policy matters including the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy, have led Ian to focus, throughout his professional career, on reducing impacts of commercial fisheries, habitat protection and sustainable shark and ray tourism.
Ian comes to Project AWARE from World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) where he was leading and managing complex shark and ray conservation initiatives and projects including heading up the Pacific Shark Heritage Programme and overseeing engagements with the international fisheries bodies, global conservation agreements and development of national conservation policies. In 2014, Ian was the technical specialist for the Fiji government delegation to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), successfully adding manta and mobula rays to the Convention. This success was repeated in 2016 when mobula rays were adopted under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).
“Collaborating with Project AWARE is not new to Ian Campbell. In 2017, he served as WWF’s lead for the development of the world’s first-ever guidelines for shark and ray tourism operators – Responsible Shark and Ray Tourism: A Guide to Best Practice – in partnership with Project AWARE and Manta Trust.” says Danna Moore, Project AWARE Global Operations Director. “We’re thrilled to have new opportunities to work together and build on his experience and passion for marine protection to carry forward the long-term strategic vision of Project AWARE”.
“Growing up in a small fishing village in South Wales, my love of the ocean developed from an early age. I remember watching early ocean documentaries and films like Jaws which led me to study Marine Biology at university. I am very lucky to have had a career which has covered a wide range of marine issues, from fisheries, habitat protection and of course, sharks and ray issues.” says Ian Campbell. “After 20 years of working across the spectrum of marine conservation roles, I’m excited to join the Project AWARE team and its global community of ocean enthusiasts to drive the organisation’s overall policy work and conservation outcomes”.
Ian joins the Project AWARE global team working to empower a movement of ocean adventurers to take action for a return to a clean, healthy ocean. As Associate Director of Policy and Campaigns, Ian leads Project AWARE’s development and implementation of key strategic conservation projects and initiatives with a view to influencing policy developments at the local, national and global levels.
For more information about Project AWARE visit their website by clicking here.
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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