World Wide Fund for Nature WWF

World Wide Fund for Nature WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries.

WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF has been present in the South Pacific since 1995 working to protect the region’s exceptionally rich marine biodiversity, which is threatened by human activity. Most of our work is conducted in the Fiji Islands, with our office based in Suva.

Sharks – Restoring the Balance

Sharks: mythologized, feared, revered. These ancient predators capture our imaginations. But sharks are in trouble – victims of irresponsible and unsustainable fishing practices. The decline of sharks spells trouble for the ocean. Removing these key predators from the food chain has serious consequences for marine ecosystems, which in turn has repercussions for people everywhere.

Modern forms of sharks and rays first emerged over 150 million years ago. But the introduction of modern fishing techniques has spelled disaster for these ancient creatures. Overfishing has caused massive decline in shark numbers – a huge jolt to ocean ecosystems in little over 50 years. The most serious declines have been in the Coral Triangle and Mediterranean.

In response to threats facing sharks and rays, WWF and TRAFFIC have created Sharks: Restoring the Balance an initiative to improve management of shark fisheries, reduce demand and move international trade in sharks and rays toward sustainability. We aim to ensure both sharks and rays are fished sustainably, yielding practical benefits for people without compromising marine ecosystems. Where populations have dropped too low to be sustainably fished, complete protection may be the only answer.

A number of offices in WWF and TRAFFIC have existing projects to conserve sharks and rays.

For more information on World Wide Fund for Nature WWF

Mr Ian Campbell, WWF Global Shark Programme Manager, WWF-Pacific, phone: +679 331 5533

[email protected]

Ms Vilisite Tamani , Communications Officer, WWF-Pacific, phone: +679 331 5533

[email protected]

Great Fiji Shark Count into its fifth year https://t.co/hyxhxv8XS3 via @sharethis

— WWF Sharks (@WWF_Sharks) November 9, 2016

Throughout the months of April and November every year, you have the opportunity to help celebrate and record Fiji’s amazing coral reef biodiversity, show you care about our world’s delicate coral reef systems, and have fun, by taking part in the FIJI-WIDE SHARK COUNT!

Easy to do, this is suitable for visitors and locals alike, whether you like to fish, snorkel, or SCUBA dive. We hope that tourists, school children, scientists and all people with an interest in the marine environment will take to the reefs with us to search for the Sharks of Fiji!

The Great Fiji Shark Count will be held across Fiji every April and November every year.

You can do a single count, or take part as many times as you like during that month, so that you cover different reefs. All data will be gratefully accepted!

So, see your resort, watersports operator or travel agent, get your Shark identification materials and dive into the beautiful blue waters of Fiji, to be a part of history!