Tag: sharks

Travel

by theconservationkid

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

by theconservationkid

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

by theconservationkid

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

by theconservationkid

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.

Go Blue Award

by theconservationkid

Ella & I were finalists for the Go Blue Award with Loggerhead Marine life Center. The Cleanup Kids is focused on cleaning up the planet of trash, plastic, bullying, air pollution, noise and and other for of pollution to make this planet better.

The keynote speaker was Sylvia Earle and hearing her speak was incredible. I had chills the whole time being in the presence of “Her Deepness”.

Although Ella & I didn’t win, we are all winners because we met and spoke with so many amazing ocean conservationists who inspire us and now we are more ready than ever to keep going and move forward with our work to make this world a better place.

SHARK SERIES

by theconservationkid

Check out TheCleanUp Kids on YouTube for my newest project to raise awareness for all kinds of conservation issues that our planet faces. Right now we are in the middle of a special shark series.

Would or wouldn’t you swim with sharks?! Why it why not? I have been with Nat Geo photographer Jim Abernethy and it was the most amazing experience EVER! Check out the link below and let me know what you think?!

Fossil hunting

by theconservationkid

Last week we went fossil hunting in Myrtle beach, SC. Doesn’t sound possible right? I mean, we were literally walking in the beach like any other day but looking for something thousands of years old. It was crazy to just look around and shark teeth are everywhere! How do we not see this? Why do so many people go to cheap gift shops and buy shark tooth necklaces when you can just go to the beach and find one and make your own? Why?

Because it’s easier! But it’s actually terrible for the environment. The shark tooth necklaces you buy in gift shops have fresh white shark teeth while the ones on the beach are black. Do you know why? The white ones are from sharks harvested strait from the ocean either by illegal fishing or by catch. We NEED sharks in the ocean. We need them for healthy ecosystems. We need to learn they are more important where they belong than in a bowl of soup or a cheap novelty necklace. We need more amazing ecotourism options for people to go in the ocean and see these great predators in their own environment.