Marine Life & Conservation
Project Shark Galapagos: Species conservation with blue o two
UK based diving tour operator blue o two have announced that resident marine biologist, Nikki Weeden, will be taking their ‘Project Shark’ itinerary to the Galapagos Islands in May 2015.
The launch of the new ‘Project Shark: Galapagos’ itinerary follows the success of blue o two’s ‘Project Shark’ in the Red Sea (led by Red Sea Sharks Trust founder, Dr. Elke Bojanowski) and in the Maldives (lead by Nikki Weeden). Aiming to highlight the global issues facing sharks and other pelagics, Project Shark: Galapagos will provide informative briefs and educational dives to marine enthusiasts.
Nikki will conduct seminars giving divers the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the biology and behaviour of sharks. In addition to expert seminars offering an insight into pelagics in the Galapagos, the Project Shark: Galapagos itinerary will also highlight efforts to increase awareness of globally endangered marine species and what divers can do to aid in their protection.
As the endangered species list around the globe continues to grow, it is vital for those who are actively interested in the preservation of our marine environments and inhabitants to be given an opportunity to learn about efforts to protect our marine species. The Project Shark: Galapagos itinerary allows divers the unique opportunity to encounter endangered species in their own environment, providing an unparalleled opportunity to study their natural behaviour and aid future conservation efforts in support of a marine conservation project with the Galapagos Conservation Trust. Home to roughly 35 different species of shark as well as several species of ray, the Galapagos are the perfect location for a Project Shark itinerary. The added bonus is that divers will enjoy exciting diving with possible encounters with some of the largest pelagic animals on the planet.
“Millions of sharks are fished and finned every year and while Ecuador has measures in place to ban shark finning, unregulated, illegal and unreported fishing still happens in their waters. This makes it all the more important to help conservation efforts in any way we can. Project Shark will provide an insight into shark and ray biology, threats to their populations and what we can do to help towards protecting these key species. I’m a big believer that education is vital in conservation and the more we can understand about what is happening, the better prepared we will be to help,” Nikki said.
“Even just something as simple as taking a photo can be so important. There are many conservation organisations out there who use photographs as data for tracking movement, health and behaviour – all of which are fundamental in protecting our sharks and rays! I can’t wait to get out there with my camera – come and join me and help make a difference!” Nikki concluded.
The Project Shark: Galapagos itinerary will be taking place onboard blue o two’s newest collaboration with Worldwide Dive and Sail, the stunning M/V Galapagos Master. Attesting to blue o two’s commitment to preserving the marine environment and offering exciting and educational itineraries for everyone, the Project Shark: Galapagos trip taking place from the 24th May – 5th June 2015 has been massively discounted: Originally, £5,750, the price per person is now just £4,995 including flights. blue o two loyalty club members can enjoy any additional discounted price of £4,620.
Divers can secure their place on this fantastic conservational itinerary with a deposit of only 10%. To book your place onboard today, contact the blue o two travel team on +44 (0)1752 480808 or email info@blueotwo.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
Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.
Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.
On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.
Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.
Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.
Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”
The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.
To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.
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