The Save Our Seas Foundation is a philanthropic non-governmental organization committed to caring for and protecting the world’s oceans. It was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, on 23 September 2003.[1]
 | |
| Formation | 23 September 2003 |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Philanthropic non-governmental organisation |
| Purpose | Research, conservation and education |
| Location |
|
Region served | Worldwide |
| Fields | Sharks, rays and skates |
| Website | www.saveourseas.com |
Focusing primarily on charismatic threatened wildlife (endangered elasmobranchs, or sharks, rays and skates) and their habitats, the Save Our Seas Foundation encourages, funds and supports cutting-edge research, conservation and education projects worldwide.[2]
Recognising the importance of giving back to the community and to the Earth,[3] since 2003 the Save Our Seas Foundation has supported more than 300 projects in over 60 countries around the globe. Its ultimate goal is to make a real and lasting impact on the health of the oceans.
Philosophy
The challenges faced by our oceans and their inhabitants today are severe.[4] To combat these and to bring about sustainable and effective change, there is a need to weave together the strands of research, conservation and education.
The foundation’s course of action is to invest in early-career professionals, encourage local actions by local people and foster awareness beyond the boundaries of traditional scientific publications.
Ultimately, the cornerstone of the Save Our Seas Foundation’s success rests on a small team of passionate people who collaborate constantly, communicate clearly and effectively, are always looking for innovative approaches and have a strong sense of commitment.[5]
Facts and figures
Approximately 400 species of sharks are found in the world.[6] They have inhabited our oceans for more than 500 million years, pre-dating the first dinosaurs by 100 million years,[7] and they appear in every single ocean, playing a crucial role in the health of the marine ecosystems.[8]
Due to threats such as overfishing, climate change, habitat loss and persecution, many shark populations have declined by more than 90%.[9] Over 100 million sharks are killed annually in commercial fishing,[10] resulting in such severe declines that more than a quarter of shark species and their relatives are considered Threatened or Near Threatened with extinction on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[11]
Despite these declines, comparatively few shark species are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which poses strict controls on the international trade in listed species. The first sharks to be included were basking and whale sharks in 2003,[12] and by 2016 a total of 12 shark species and all manta and devil ray species were listed in Appendix II,[13][14] as well as sawfishes species in Appendix I. In 2019 a further 18 species were added (mako sharks, guitarfishes and wedgefishes).
While progress has been made to improve the management and conservation of shark populations globally, more than 80% of the international shark fin trade that drives shark fisheries is unregulated.[15] Most sharks and ray species are highly vulnerable to overfishing, as they grow slowly, mature late and live for a long time.[16] They typically fulfil an important role as predators in their ecosystems, so the decline of shark populations is likely to have a cascading effect on the abundance and distribution of other species, threatening ecosystems and food supplies with unpredictable consequences.[17]
Education and research centres
The Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Education Centre
Situated at the edge of False Bay in Cape Town, South Africa, the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Education Centre[18] overlooks the bay and the distant Hottentots Holland Mountains. It was established in 2008 on the doorstep of the Dalebrook Marine Protected Area, a sanctuary zone within the greater Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. This unique location enables the centre to immerse children and adults in experientially focused educational activities.
The Shark Education Centre is open throughout the year for school and group visits. It boasts a carefully selected collection of state-of-the-art exhibits that focus mostly on sharks. There is, however, also a strong emphasis on the unique and special marine ecosystem found in and around False Bay.
Groups of schoolchildren come through the centre and leave feeling inspired to care about sharks and their ocean habitats. But it is not only school visits that are catered for; there are also outreach events, holiday clubs, marine awareness camps, marine explorers’ clubs and many other activities.
The centre also invites the general public to explore its displays. Ultimately, its goal is to nurture ocean awareness and environmentally responsible actions. In 2019, the Shark Education Centre welcomed almost 5,200 visitors, half of which were schoolchildren.
The Save Our Seas Foundation D’Arros Research Centre
The Save Our Seas Foundation D’Arros Research Centre (SOSF-DRC)[19] is based on D’Arros Island, 225 kilometres south-west of Mahé, in the Seychelles. D’Arros Island is very close to St Joseph Atoll, and both are part of a small chain of islands that comprise the Amirantes Group. Although D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll are separated by a channel one kilometre (0.6 mile) wide and 70 metres (230 feet) deep, they are considered a single ecological unit as their ecosystems are inextricably linked. The marine environment surrounding D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll boasts a diversity of habitats and species, providing an outstanding ocean observatory for scientific studies.[20]
The SOSF-DRC vision is to be a Centre of Excellence for marine and tropical island conservation. Therefore, the preservation of the ecological integrity of D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll through research, monitoring, restoration and education is a high priority for the centre. Since its inception in 2012, the centre has concluded numerous targeted research projects in collaboration with various international institutions. These diverse projects have focused mostly on threatened species such as sharks, turtles, seabirds, fish and corals, but have also included habitat assessments, feasibility surveys and oceanography.
The SOSF-DRC is currently pursuing a Marine Protected Area (MPA) certification from the Seychelles government in order to preserve and showcase the ecological integrity of D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll in the long term.[21]
The Save Our Seas Shark Research Centre USA
The Save Our Seas Shark Research Center USA[22] is located in Florida, USA, and was established at Nova Southeastern University in 2009 by directive of the founder of the Save Our Seas Foundation. Nova Southeastern University is also home to the Guy Harvey Research Institute[23] and the Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research,[24] both of which conduct collaborative research with the Save Our Seas Shark Research Center.
The vision of the research centre is to be a global Centre of Excellence for scientific discovery on sharks and rays. The centre’s major focus is to conduct targeted and impactful scientific research to improve management, conservation, recovery and understanding of the world’s sharks and rays. A hallmark of its work is that it specialises in taking integrative, multi-disciplinary approaches to research and conservation, which include combining high-tech genetics, genomics and field work to illuminate holistically aspects of shark and ray science that would be difficult to decipher using single-discipline approaches alone. Furthermore, as part of a university, the centre perceives its mission to include educational activities that encompass training university students in research and increasing the awareness of schoolchildren about shark and marine conservation.
In February 2019, scientists decoded the genome of the white shark and discovered an astonishing ability that explains why these sharks have survived over millennia.[25] This major discovery may have an impact on how we understand and manage human age-related diseases in the future.
Foundation grants
The Save Our Seas Foundation offers a series of grants dedicated mainly to projects on elasmobranchs (sharks, rays and skates). Most of these projects currently fall into the areas of research, conservation and education and are capable of attracting significant public attention, potentially increasing public and government awareness of the urgent need to protect the marine environment.
These grants help nurture early-career professionals (within five years of a degree being awarded) who are eager to make a positive change, while at the same time encouraging local initiatives carried out by local people.[26] The foundation collaborates closely with project leaders to provide guidance as well as to help the projects gain international visibility and recognition through regular communication on the SOSF website and social media channels and at public conferences and school workshops.[27][28]
The main categories of the Save Our Seas Foundation grant programme are: the Small Grant (average value US$5,000), designed to last between 12 and 18 months; the Keystone Grant (average value US$ 25,000 per annum) with a duration limited to three years; and the Long-term Partners category, which supports the long-term research and conservation projects of certain NGO partners that are close to the SOSF in terms of funding and communication.
The application process, deadlines and conditions vary depending on the grant category. All applications are reviewed by the Save Our Seas Foundation’s scientific committee and final approval is given by its board.
In 2019, the Save Our Seas Foundation awarded grants to 40 projects spanning the globe: 17 shark and ray projects; 11 sustainable fisheries projects focusing on sharks and rays; and 12 shark-like ray projects (relating to sawfishes, wedgefishes and guitarfishes). To be sustainable, fisheries must leave enough fish in the ocean, respect habitats and ensure that people who depend on fishing can maintain their livelihoods. Sawfish, wedgefish and guitarfish are some of the most threatened species in the oceans, but little is known about them.[29] Since 2017, the foundation has decided to focus on protecting this rare category of fishes.[30]
The manner, approach, follow-up and assistance of the SOSF team are fantastic. They are open to new ideas and welcome news of the project’s activities and outcomes. They make efficient use of available resources and strongly encourage the passion and commitment of individual project leaders. Moreover, the team’s comprehensive approach explains why SOSF-funded projects have a positive impact on a wide range of people. I have enjoyed working with the SOSF and I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world to have had this opportunity.
— Mohammed Abudaya, Giant devil rays project, Gaza, Palestine
I firmly believe the Save Our Seas Foundation is very much on the up and has a fantastic team. Even though this marine education project has now come to an end, it is by no means finished. It is wonderful that we were able to collaborate with another marine education project in the Seychelles and become the Island School Seychelles. This would not have been possible without the drive and vision of the SOSF team.
— Abbie Hine, Marine education project, Seychelles
Partners
A number of independent organisations are conducting valuable long-term research and conservation projects on their own. Since 2003, the Save Our Seas Foundation has supported the efforts of NGOs that are close to it in terms of funding and communication, while these grant programmes last longer than the normal ones.[31]
The foundation has enjoyed a close, long-term working relationship with the Manta Trust,[32] the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation,[33] Shark Spotters,[34] BC Whales,[35] and the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP).[36] It not only provides funding and guidance for their projects, but also facilitates international cooperation among researchers and maintains an active communication link to forge a global conservation plan of action.
Raising awareness
Determined to expand its role as a non-profit organisation, the Save Our Seas Foundation is committed to the care and protection of the world’s oceans beyond its support of research, conservation and education projects by undertaking activities that promote public awareness. By sharing videos,[37] striking imagery, books,[38] and magazines,[39] the foundation employs the power of communication to connect with and engage the public to transform our relationship with sharks and the oceans.
The SOSF has supported many educational projects around the world, raising awareness of the marine environment and the threats it faces, and promoting conservation.[40] Through encouraging projects to actively engage their local communities in experienced-based learning, the foundation aims to provide people with a greater understanding of marine resources and develop their conservation ethic.
Achievements
Since its inception in 2003, the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) has distributed over US$35-million to support more than 300 projects on 50 marine species in over 60 countries, creating a community of more than 300 scientists, conservationists, students and educators who share its common objective. These project leaders have worked closely with fishing industries, businesses, divers and the public to enact positive change and raise awareness within communities.[41]
The most important tool for successful conservation is knowledge. Scientific information is one of several important factors in environmental policy-making. The Save Our Seas Foundation is therefore proud to have supported numerous projects that have helped fill the gaps in our knowledge about sharks and rays, contributing to a better understanding of their conservation needs. Collectively, SOSF projects produce between 30 and 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications each year.
For instance, a global study by SOSF project leader Professor David Sims that was published in Nature in July 2019 identified how sharks and fishing boats interact across the world’s oceans, highlighting areas of high overfishing risk that will help target conservation efforts.
In addition, a team led by researchers at the Save Our Seas Shark Research Center have decoded the white shark genome. Its findings were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in February 2019 and may lead to countless potential applications, ranging from conservation to medicine.
Between 2014 and 2017 the Save Our Seas Foundation focused its support on conservation strategies for Mobulidae (manta and devil rays), and since 2017 it has supported projects on sawfish, wedgefish and guitarfish species, aiming to gather data and educate the world about these Critically Endangered families of fish. The SOSF’s tribe of sawfish researchers and advocates have a truly global distribution, with dedicated efforts taking place in Mexico, USA, West Africa, Madagascar, Indonesia, Australia and Papua New Guinea, while several projects have a global scope.
The real value of the foundation’s strategy and commitment to shark and ray conservation is reflected by recent successes in the listing of various species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which restricts international trade in endangered species. In 2003 basking and whale sharks were the first and only sharks to be included in Appendix II of CITES. By 2016, however, the list of protected elasmobranchs had risen to 12 species of sharks and all the manta and devil rays, while all the sawfish species had been added to Appendix I. In 2019, 18 more species of sharks and rays, including wedgefishes and guitarfishes threatened by the scale of international trade in their fins and meat, were included in Appendix II. Combined, by the end of 2019 there were 14 shark, 10 wedgefish, six guitarfish, five sawfish, two manta ray and nine devil ray species listed under CITES.
In addition to facilitating research and informing policy, it is critical to raise general awareness of shark conservation issues through education and media and to engage communities and promote action to ensure that our oceans remain healthy for generations to come. To this end, the foundation has a multifaceted communication strategy with considerable outreach: the website www.saveourseas.com receives ~15k visits each month, while Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have over 142k, 200k and 130k followers respectively.
The Save Our Seas magazine bridges the gap between the innovative shark research being done by project leaders and the wider reach of their conservation messages to a public audience. With 10 issues published since 2014, this creative and stylish publication won silver and bronze awards in ‘Magazines Online’ and ‘Magazine Print Edition’ respectively at the 10th International Creative Media Award.
A dedicated education centre in South Africa welcomed almost 5,200 visitors in 2019 alone, half of which were children from local communities.
In 2018 the foundation celebrated its 15th anniversary, having matured into an established support and advocate of marine conservation on a global scale. Moving forward, we strive to further develop our strategy and efforts to secure the health of our oceans, and the sharks and rays that live in them, for generations to come.
See also
Sustainability and environmental management
References
- ^ "Foundation/Story". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ "Projects/Projects directory". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ Drengson, Alan (2011). "Environmental studies from the early years: Impressionistic reflections". Restoration Earth: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of Nature and Civilization. 1 (1): 26–33.
- ^ "Words Oceans Day 8 June". United Nations. www.un.org. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- ^ "Corporate/Team". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- ^ "12 Sharks You Should Know". Ocean Conservancy. www.oceanconservancy.org. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ Zhang Jing and Erin Newport, 1 August 2019. "Five jaw-dropping facts about sharks". Greenpeace International Story. www.greenpeace.org. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Casey Smith, Published July 28, 2017. "Watch Our Favorite Shark Videos". National Geographic. www.nationalgeographic.com. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Sharks at Risk" (PDF). Animal Welfare institute. www.awionline.org.
- ^ "New Study Says 100 Million Sharks Killed Annually". The Pew Charitable Trusts. www.pewtrusts.org. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "A quarter of sharks and rays threatened with extinction". IUCN. www.iucn.org. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Sharks and manta rays". CITES. www.cites.org. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ Geneva (Switzerland), 17-28 August 2019. "Eighteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties". CITES. www.cites.org.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "A ray of hope for Mako sharks and rhino rays at CITES CoP18 – 18 threatened shark species added to Appendix II". WWF. www.worldwildlife.org. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "CITES CoP 2019: 18 endangered sharks and rays afforded protection". DownToEarth. www.downtoearth.org. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Sharks. Euselachii". Smithsonian Ocean. www.ocean.si.edu. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "New Report Finds Sharks Critical to Maintaining Healthy Oceans". OCEANA. www.oceana.org. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Education Centre". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Save Our Seas Foundation D'Arros Research Centre". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ Rainer von Brandis (2014). "D'Arros and St Joseph". SOSF Magazine, Issue #1, Sharks & People/Manta rays/Seychelles.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "The Aldabra of the Amirantes". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Save Our Seas Shark Research Centre". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Guy Harvey Research Institute". Nova Southeastern University. www.nova.edu. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research". Nova Southeastern University. www.nova.edu. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ Marra, Nicholas J.; Stanhope, Michael J.; Jue, Nathaniel K.; Wang, Minghui; Sun, Qi; Pavinski Bitar, Paulina; Richards, Vincent P.; Komissarov, Aleksey; Rayko, Mike; Kliver, Sergey; Stanhope, Bryce J.; Winkler, Chuck; O’Brien, Stephen J.; Antunes, Agostinho; Jorgensen, Salvador; Shivji, Mahmood S. (2019). "White shark genome reveals ancient elasmobranch adaptations associated with wound healing and the maintenance of genome stability". PNAS. 116 (10): 4446–4455.
- ^ "Grants/Funding guidelines". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Projects/Project leader blogs". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "News/Scientific Publications". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ Kyne, Peter M.; Jabado, Rima W.; Rigby, Cassandra L.; Dharmadi; Gore, Mauvis A.; Pollock, Caroline M.; Herman, Katelyn B.; Cheok, Jessica; Ebert, David A.; Simpfendorfer, Colin A.; Dulvy, Nicholas K. "The thin edge of the wedge: extremely high extinction risk in wedgefishes and giant guitarfishes". bioRxiv. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Corporate/Annual Reports/SOSF 2018 Annual Report". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Projects/Partners". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "The Manta Trust". www.mantatrust.org. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "The Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation". www.biminisharklab.com. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "The Shark Spotters". www.sharkspotters.org.za. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "The BC Whales". www.bcwhales.org. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "The Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP)". The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB). www.saiab.ac.za/atap.htm. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "Multimedia/Videos". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "Multimedia/Books". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "The Save Our Seas Foundation Magazine". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "Projects/Projects directory/Education". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
- ^ "Foundation/Achievements". Save Our Seas Foundation. www.saveourseas.com. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
External links
The IUCN Red List of Threated Species