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Tag: shark
HELP NEEDED!
If you could please write a letter, long or short, about how sharks are important or impact our ecosystems, that would be huge!!! Sharks are not classified as wildlife in Costa Rica! How crazy is that?
Sharks are wildlife and should be classified as such! Together we can make this happen but legislators have to hear from the people that care!
You can email your letter to me at theconservationkid@gmail.com
But please, time is of the essence, so in the next week would be great!
Shark Week!!!
One of my favorite weeks of the year! Sharks are such a vital part of the ocean ecosystem.
Dreams DO Come True!
Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to see my hard work pay off. My friend and mentor, Jim Abernethy took me to his underwater playground which is Tiger Beach, Bahamas.
Jim Abernethy is an award-winning author, photographer, cinematographer and conservationist who pioneered shark encounters without a cage. Starting at a young age, scuba diving served as an inspiration for his life’s mission as a conservationist.
His award-winning marine life images are often featured in the world’s top nature magazines. His incredible expedition clients include many of the world’s top nature filmmakers and magazines such as Imax, National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Animal Planet, and Discovery Channel.
Jim and I share a love for scuba diving as well as sharks. I had the immense opportunity to go see where he spends most of his time. This trip was all because of my hard work and conservation initiatives. It is true, hard work pays off. This is an experience I will always cherish.
World Oceans Day
Every year on June 8, the world comes together to celebrate World Oceans Day. Our oceans are in trouble. If there’s a place I’m happiest, besides the river, it’s at the ocean. Water is life! Our oceans are a huge carbon sink, but also supplies the world with oxygen, more than the rainforests!
I have had the opportunity to enjoy time underwater as a certified scuba diver and that’s where I feel the most peace. Whether I’m diving with sharks, turtles, octopus or stingrays, the feeling is incredible!
Travel
If there’s one thing I love, it’s travel. I just had the amazing opportunity to visit Costa Rica and it was wonderful. This small country is touted for its conservation efforts over years past but now, it’s a slightly different story. While their land conservation seems to be extremely important to their people, the ocean is less looked after.
Just a week before I left, CITIES was in session and Costa Rica voted against the shark proposal. This is sad considering ecotourism is a huge amount of their income. Why are sharks still looked down upon? Why are we still not stepping up for these eco warriors who we literally depend on to keep ecosystems healthy in our oceans?
I would go back, but I hope people keep fighting for conservation, not only in Costa Rica but across the globe.
Shark kill tournament
After my last post, several people asked for more information. He is a little more about what I have learned. Not only are adults seeking out and killing as many sharks as possible but I have also learned someone is sponsoring kids and offering a cash prize for children!
Why are children being encouraged and taught this is ok? When in reality it’s a travesty.
https://www.wpbf.com/article/shark-fishing-tournament-catching-heat-florida/40478087
Shark Tournament
I’m a few weeks on July 9th, if nothing is done, there will be a trophy tournament in Jupiter, Florida for sharks.
Over 250 species of shark are labeled as endangered, critically endangered, vulnerable or data deficient. That means we don’t know enough about them to say whether or not they are at risk of extinction yet.
This is so disheartening to know that some of these species will be killed for sport. They will be slaughtered, and while on the brink of extinction, it’s legal. How does this make sense? It doesn’t.
Please hope by signing this petition to get this senseless killing stopped. Fishing for food is not a terrible thing but this is sport. This is completely unnecessary and sickening. Our planet depends on species like sharks to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
https://www.change.org/p/help-cancel-shark-killing-tournament-in-jupiter-florida
World Oceans Day
Today, June 8th, is World Oceans Day. This is a day set aside to celebrate our ocean and it’s amazing biodiverse ecosystems. Oceans provide about 70% of the planets oxygen. Our blue planet needs help now more than ever. We just protect our oceans, land, and rivers. Without it, lire on land will cease to exist. Diving and being in the water, is my happy place. I was scuba certified when I was 10. I couldn’t wait to explore below the waves and see the animals I love in their natural habitat.
Kid of the Year
Although I didn’t win overall “Kid of the Year”, I feel extremely honored to have even made top 5 with so many amazing kids. There were thousands nominated and to be in the top for those kids, all trying to change the world in their one way and doing amazing things, was humbling.
I have never tried to gain attention for myself but just try to bring attention to our planet and what we need to do collectively to make a difference and heal our blue planet we call home. Everyone can make a difference, you have to decide if it’s good or bad.
Thank you to Time Magazine and Nickelodeon for considering me for such an award. Words can never express how grateful I am that the great state of Tennessee and the Tennessee River were brought nationwide attention that it so desperately needs.
The Conservation Kid 