Marine Life & Conservation
Why is it important that we save what remains of our reefs, fish and marine ecosystem?
I think the basic answer is that it isn’t, unless of course we care to.
We are now beginning, as a species, to generally appreciate, if not understand, how the natural world actually works. How these systems and all their component parts play a vital role in the stability and health of the world in which we live.
We do of course try to distance ourselves from nature by building and living in completely artificial surroundings. We grow food artificially, we drastically reduce the immediate effects of weather and we regulate temperature and humidity in our technological existences. However, the luxury of this ability is not given to all mankind, only the ruling classes, the rich and well off. It is certainly not afforded to wildlife of any kind.
We know that with our technology we can do wonderful things, but unless it is afforded to all, then ultimately there will be wars and conflict as natural resources are eaten up by those who are generally far removed from them.
We can continue to eradicate species and habitats across the globe in the name of progress and fiscal gain, and as far as I am concerned there is no one looking down upon us from afar to judge our actions. We do all this on our own. I do not believe we will be either rewarded or punished in an afterlife. But, those generations who follow us will have to bear the consequences of our greed.
The oceans contribute greatly to our weather, they help generate the oxygen we breathe and deal most effectively with the carbon dioxide we generate as a bi-product of simply living. But the oceans are not a mechanical disposal system or gifted with endless supplies of food for our tastes. The oceans are a living breathing entity. A delicate and complex giant organism with countless parts that are all intertwined in their contribution to the diversity, which we know, is so crucial to the continued well being and evolution of any ecosystem.
As a species we are quite incredible and as far as we know quite unique within our universe. We are clever; we are compassionate, strong and successful. Yet we blunder into strife and poverty by choosing to drastically alter the very nature of the world that made us what we are. The future of the world is literally in our hands, and it falls down precisely to what we choose to do with it.
As a species that has the ability to reason beyond our own immediate circumstances, surely we must choose a world to live in that celebrates all the incredible wonders that have been created here since the planet was first in its cosmic infancy. The simple wonder of seeing a whale breech, a shoal of fish searing through the water in silvery unison, the glorious colours of coral, the magnificence and the shear scale of plants and animals that make our seas. Why would we want to live without all this? Why would we deny our children the opportunity to witness and be part of this great and wonderful planet? Are we so really self indulgent to be satisfied with saying to the younger generation. “Oh, you should have seen it in my day………”
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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