Sharks Under Threat

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.

Any groups that would like to show this film to help people understand the importance of sharks and the need for shark conservation, please go to contact us and we can arrange for a private screening at no cost.

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

Both legislative bodies of New York State have proposed bills that would make animal killing as part of contests, competitions, and tournaments illegal. The laws would be a win for shark conservation and restrict, for example, the killing of game and wild birds in tournaments that involve trophies or money. However, the bills as written do not include protection for sharks and they should be.

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.

Please call the number below to support the ban on wildlife hunting contests and request that they add sharks to a new bill that does just that.

Shark Conservation: Speak up for New York's Wildlife

Speak up for New York’s wildlife:

Call Governor Hochul’s office:
- Call (518) 474-8390
- Select Option #2 to speak to a live person or Option #1 to leave a message.
Use this script:
- Feel free to personalize with these talking points but keep your comment short and concise.
- “Hello, my name is _______. I am a New York State resident, and I am calling to urge Governor Hochul to sign S.4099 into law. Please sign this bill, ideally prior to November 1, to ensure that our great state immediately protects our wildlife from these egregious contests. S.4099 is a bipartisan bill with support from a wide diversity of interest groups, including hunters, farmers, veterinarians, and more. Please sign S.4099 into law. Thank you.”

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