Fins Attached, a marine research and conservation non-profit organization, will name a recently acquired ship the “Sharkwater,” in honor of the late filmmaker Rob Stewart.
Stewart died this past February after a deep dive.
Fins Attached Founder Alex Antoniou, Ph.D., said:
“Having an expedition vessel to further the mission of conducting research and promoting conservation is a giant leap forward for Fins Attached. We are so excited at the possibilities and the amount of work that will be done. Fins Attached was created to do just that, to work towards protecting sharks and the marine environment, which ultimately benefits all living things.”
Antoniou said he also plans on partnering with the Sharkwater Team to finish the filming of Stewart’s sequel documentary, “Sharkwater Extinction.”
Fins Attached bought the ship — a former Japanese fishing vessel — after a group of individuals, passionate about saving sharks and the oceans, invested in the organization.
The ship will be re-christened the Sharkwater on June 8, World Ocean Day, at Nova Southeastern University, Bahia Mar marina in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Stewart’s family and friends will be in attendance.
Rob’s parents, Brian and Sandy, said:
“The Sharkwater team is proud to be a part of the Sharkwater research vessel and we know Rob Stewart was thrilled to have been involved in this significant initiative. It’s imperative we support the oceans and all its creatures and this boat will provide an excellent resource for researchers, scientists, and conservation groups for years to come.”
Brian continued:
“A giant thank you to Alex . . . and his organization Fins Attached for making this happen. As Rob said, ‘Conservation is the preservation of human life on earth and that above all else is worth fighting for.'”
To learn more about Fins Attached‘s marine conservation work, check out the organization’s website at finsattached.org.
If you want to to donate toward the Sharkwater’s maiden voyage and the production of “Sharkwater Extinction,” go to the film’s crowdfunding page at gofundme.com/Sharkwater.
