DEMA, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and Amanyara
to host Shark Conservation Awareness Week
25 – 30 March 2015

TCI Gov.tc

The Department of Environmental & Maritime Affairs, in collaboration with The Pew Charitable Trusts and Amanyara, will be hosting Shark Conservation Awareness Week from March 25th to 30th, 2015. Mr Rob Stewart, Director of the award-winning documentary Sharkwater (2007), will be visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands to increase education and awareness about the importance of sharks to the reefs, and healthy marine ecology as a whole, of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Rob, a conservationist and photographer, will have a full itinerary including school visits, scuba diving, community talks and various documentary screenings, all providing an insight into how he became a shark advocate and why they should matter to you too!

Sharks are seriously threatened globally; however play a vital role in the marine ecosystem.

As sharks have been around for millions of years, they are most often an apex predator, which means they keep fish populations healthy and diverse. However, their reign as top predator in the ocean is being threatened as it is estimated that 100 million sharks are killed every year in the commercial fishing industry. Nearly 30% of known shark species are threatened with extinction with another 26% close to becoming threatened in the near future. Such a dramatic decline has serious consequences on the intricate food web that keeps our coral reef healthy and balanced.

There will be a community screening and talk, hosted by Rob Stewart, at Brayton Hall, Venetian Road, Providenciales on Saturday, March 28th from 7pm-10pm. Tickets will be $10, in advance at Unicorn Bookstore or at the door. All Proceeds go to shark conservation in TCI. There will also be a talk and community screening at the National Museum in Grand Turk on Sunday March 30th at 12:30pm – 3:30pm.

We hope to see you there!