Cybersecurity company Surfshark has joined the Big Shark Pledge — an initiative run by shark conservation organization Shark Trust.
According to Surfshark spokeswoman Gabriele Racaityte-Krasauske:
“As a company named Surfshark, we deeply empathize with sharks and feel devastated by the alarming rate at which these magnificent creatures are being lost each year. The media’s portrayal of sharks in a negative light only aggravates this issue, contributing to the looming extinction of various shark species. By signing the Big Shark Pledge, we hope to raise awareness on this issue and inspire more individuals to actively protect and preserve the survival of the shark population. Going forward, we aspire to make it our continuous effort to work with shark awareness and make contributions towards their conservation on an annual basis.”
According to Shark Trust CEO Paul Cox, 100 million sharks are killed in fisheries in a single year. This makes shark protection initiatives as important as ever. The Pledge advocates for science-based catch limits, conservation management plans, and policy changes related to the protection of sharks.
Cox said:
“Shark Awareness Day is about celebrating the wonder and diversity of sharks, and the vital role they play in the ocean ecosystem that sustains us all. But it’s also about drawing attention to the challenges that this amazing group faces.
“The biggest threat to sharks comes from the impact of excessive and poorly managed fisheries. One-third of the 1200 species of sharks and rays are threatened with extinction due to overfishing. So we all need to make our voices heard and pressure policymakers to implement effective conservation actions. We’ve worked for many years to advocate for change and our latest campaign – the Big Shark Pledge – gives everyone an opportunity to demonstrate their support for an end to overfishing on the high seas. Every voice matters if we want a healthy future for our ocean.”
Sharks are excessively caught for their meat, fins and oil-rich livers, and they also suffer from accidental bycatch. Climate change and habitat loss further disrupt their life cycles and prey availability due to rising ocean temperatures, coral reef destruction, and pollution. Furthermore, the negative image perpetuated by the media, influenced by movies like Jaws, Deep Blue Sea and The Reef, fuels fear and reduces public support for shark conservation efforts.
