Did you know there are more than 1,000 species of sharks and rays, with new species identified each year? Even with new species of sharks seemingly popping up left and right, an estimated 100 million sharks are killed in commercial fisheries each year. Diving with sharks is a bucket list item for many scuba divers but if sharks keep disappearing, what will become of our oceans and favorite shark dives? Unfortunately for sharks, not everyone views their existence as valuable to our oceans' health and many species are threatened with extinction. The shark organizations and non-profits outlined below are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of sharks. See how you can get involved in shark conservation today.

Shark Allies

Started in Hawaii by a dedicated team of divers, Shark Allies has become a key player in protecting sharks in the U.S. and worldwide. Current campaigns include; stopping the shark fin trade with a focus on changing legislation in Florida, targeting and eliminating shark products, tapping into the entertainment industry to shape public perception of sharks and promoting the economic value of a live shark.

Project AWARE

Protecting sharks and Project AWARE go hand-in-hand. The organization takes actions to protect sharks as part of their mission to return to a clean and healthy ocean. Project AWARE believes shark and ray products must be controlled and monitored and they advocate for the full protection of shark species listed as endangered or critically endangered by the IUCN. Project AWARE has also developed a Responsible Shark and Ray Tourism Guide for dive operators who want to take action.

Shark Spotters

This South African non-profit has a global reach. Shark Spotters is the main safety strategy used in Cape Town after forming in 2004 in response to a string of shark bite incidents in the area. Their mission is to create sustainable coexistence between water users and white sharks. Shark Spotters utilizes cutting-edge research to study shark behavior and ecology while also raising awareness about shark safety and employing local people as shark spotters.

Shark League

Shark League recognizes that sharks and rays are overfished in many countries but sharks in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea are particularly in danger. Their coalition is dedicated to improving fisheries management by pushing for catch limits that align with scientific advice, strict protections for endangered species and enforceable bans on shark finning.

Shark Trust

Based in the U.K., Shark Trust’s mission is to safeguard the future of sharks through positive change. They list many ways to get involved on their website, from adopting a whale shark which directly supports vital whale shark research in the Maldives to becoming a citizen scientist and helping the organization to find and record shark eggcases.

Fin Fighters

Also based in the U.K., Fin Fighters is on a mission to end the sale and distribution of shark fins in the U.K. by 2023. Part of Fin Fighters' work includes investigating shark fishing and monitoring consumption habits in the U.K. and around the world.

Shark Savers/WildAid

The Shark Savers program recently merged with WildAid to increase the efficiency of its operations. The combined organization is still dedicated to protecting endangered wildlife. More specifically, WildAid focuses on addressing the human threat to wildlife including campaigning to reduce shark fin consumption in China, Taiwan and Thailand.

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