Marine Life & Conservation
Chinese Billionaire to be hailed as “Global Shark Guardian” in New York
Chinese Billionaire Guo Guangchang, chairman of investment firm Fosun International, will be honoured along with three other individuals in New York this coming Thursday, April 17, for their efforts to bring an end to the killing of sharks for their fins.
Guo, along with Ding Liguo, the CEO of steelmaker Delong Holdings, Wan Jie, chairman of art publishing firm Artron, and Jim Zhang of the Nature Conservancy will be named “Global Shark Guardians” at an event organized by Wildaid, the Nature Conservancy and the Pew Charitable Trust.
The four have a record of working in support of a ban on the serving of shark fin at Chinese government banquets.
In March 2011, Ding, at the time a member of China’s National People’s Congress, submitted a proposal for a legislative ban on the shark fin trade and Wan, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, made a similar proposal. The two failed due to concerns that a trade ban could be challenged at the World Trade Organization, according to material provided by Pew.
A year later in March 2012, Ding and Guo, who had become a member of the National People’s Congress, submitted a revised proposal with the support of more than 30 other NPC delegates for a legislative ban on the consumption of shark fin at official banquets. In the CPPCC, Wan also proposed a ban.
In July 2012, it was announced that the Council would issue guidelines instructing government agencies to stop serving shark fin at official receptions within one to three years. Yet by December, the regulations came into effect, and the measure was promoted as an anti-corruption initiative.
Zhang, for his part, promoted the changes through business and political networks and use of social media.
WildAid estimates that demand for shark fin has dropped 50-70% since the National People’s Congress took up the issue. Some 73 million sharks are killed annually for their fins, according to Pew.
For more on this story, click here.
Source: www.forbes.com
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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