Safeguard the Seas | Protecting Sharks

Sharks Under Threat

Trailer for the documentary film- "Emperors of the Deep, the Shark"

Emperors of the Deep is a unique documentary that takes the viewer on a journey into the world of sharks. The writer and director, Bill McKeever, witnesses a shark tournament in Montauk. He is so shocked that he investigates further and exposes how shark tournaments kill scores of sharks for pleasure.

His tournament discovery generates more questions about what is happening to sharks and the threats that they face. He travels around the world to meet with experts and dive with sharks. As he does so, he uncovers more death and destruction on the high seas than one could possible imagine. His discoveries change how the viewer see sharks.

Sharks have roamed the oceans since before the time of dinosaurs, but their long reign at the top of the ocean food chain is imperiled. The onset of industrial fishing over the past 60 years has drastically depleted their populations. Of the shark and ray species assessed by scientists for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 30 percent are threatened or near threatened with extinction which is why shark conservation is vital for our oceans.

The Documentary Film: "Emperors of the Deep, The Shark"

Emperors of the Deep, The Shark is a documentary film that reveals the latest science and knowledge about sharks. In the film, one of the top shark experts in the world, Dr. Carl Meyer in Hawaii, explains how millions of sharks are being killed for their fins. The reason is that many fishermen on the Asian fishing boats in the Pacific are slaves, and they are hoping to scratch out an existence by selling shark fins to China.

The film is a never-told story that shines a light on why sharks are being decimated by the millions, and yet need to be valued as an important part of the marine environment. The shark documentary causes the viewer to think about sharks in a new way. Man needs sharks for his own survival since the ocean rely on them to keep the seas healthy. The feeling for the viewer after the film is one of appreciation for sharks, not fear. The film is a call to action to protect sharks from mankind’s brutal treatment.

The book that dispels the myths on sharks

Emperors of the Deep

Safeguard the Seas presents a riveting book on the latest discoveries on sharks. Greenpeace calls it a “must-read” for those interested in the oceans.

In the new book, Emperors of the Deep: Sharks – The Ocean’s Most Mysterious, Most Misunderstood, and Most Important Guardians (July 2019; HarperOne, ISBN 978-0062932990, PRICE $25.99; Hardcover), author and Conservationist William McKeever is on a mission to change everyone’s views of the mysterious creatures of the deep. The book takes readers on a pulse-pounding journey around the world and deep under the water’s surface – from the frigid waters of the Arctic Circle to the coral reefs of the tropical Central Pacific – to dispel the narrative about sharks (from Jaws to “Shark Week,)” which claims they’re terrifying underwater predators. McKeever says, “Sharks are unequivocally essential to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. When these important apex predators are removed from the ocean, the effect on reefs, seagrass and all the marine ecosystems is catastrophic for generations to come.”

A portion of William McKeever’s book royalties will be donated to Greenpeace

Who: Author William McKeever is a writer, a documentary filmmaker and the founder of the non-profit Safeguard the Seas, dedicated to ocean conservation. McKeever is the author of Emperors of the Deep, (releasing Tuesday, July 2nd), and the producer and director of the forthcoming feature-length global documentary Emperors of the Deep – which has not been previously released – to further raise awareness. (B-roll footage will be available to accompany his interviews).

Shark Tournaments

The sole purpose of these tournaments is for fishermen to catch the largest shark simply for bragging rights. When the tournament is over, these sharks end up in the garbage. There are over seventy shark tournaments all along east coast of the United States from Maine to Florida and the west coast as well. There is no sign of abatement for these tournaments in spite of the fact that sharks are crucial to the marine ecosystem and some species are considered threatened.

What happens to the shark at a tournament? Once the shark is hooked, it fights for its life in a contest that can take anywhere from a half to two hours to bring the shark to the boat – all the while these highly developed and sensitive animals suffer intense pain. Once alongside the boat, the shark is gaffed with a metal hook anywhere on its body to haul it into the boat. The shark’s death agony is not over yet since it is still alive and thrashing around the boat. Fishermen have to be careful with the shark at this point since it can still bite. Therefore, some will take a club and start beating the shark to death. Some will stick a knife deep into the shark’s back in an attempt to cut the spinal cord. In any case, the shark suffers – all for the meaningless cause of becoming a trophy for the fisherman.

Add Sharks to the New York Ban on Wildlife Hunting Contests

New York State passed a bill that makes animal killing as part of contests, competitions, and tournaments illegal. The law restricts, for example, the killing of game and wild birds in tournaments that involve trophies or money. However, the bill does not include protection for sharks and they should be.

We will be reaching out to NY lawmakers to get sharks added.

Sharks are routinely killed in wildlife tournaments in summer along New York State’s shoreline. These apex predators are crucial to the health of the marine ecosystem. We cannot risk the health of our oceans for casino-type entertainment.

Together we can safeguard the seas

There are many ways to help. Become a member and enjoy access to exclusive content and video. Not ready to become a member? Consider renting one of the films. The proceeds go toward paying production costs. Purchase the shark book for yourself or a friend. Or donate directly which is tax deductible. It’s up to you.

We hope you will join us in our mission. Thank you.

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Our mission is to educate the public about the risks to the health of the oceans through books and films.

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