Colorado Springs, CO, USA: August 24, 2022
For the Oceans Foundation, Fins Attached Marine Research and Conservation, Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation and United Conservationists, Inc. have signed a partnership agreement to join forces in marine conservation. The Coalition, with an initial duration of five years, includes initiatives and activities to combat illegal fishing and the effects of climate change while supporting species protection, scientific research for data-driven conservation, and environmental education programs.
On August 8, 2022, four non-profit Non-Governmental Organizations recognized for their important contributions to the cause of the environment, joined forces to strengthen their capacity for action in the face of the growing effects of humans on the environmental, and the growing threat on the health of the oceans.
Fins Attached Marine Research and Conservation is an NGO based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA that conducts research to promote conservation, provide education and protect endangered marine life. Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation is a Canadian based charity committed to protecting sharks and ocean ecosystems. For The Oceans Foundation is an NGO created in Costa Rica to help combat Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and promote responsible fishing and the protection of marine wildlife. United Conservationists is an NGO based in Venice, California, USA, that provides communication and planning tools needed to protect local and global ecosystems.
The objectives of the Coalition include the development and organization of research, conservation, and communication projects, improving knowledge of marine migratory species in protected areas, establishing a working relationship to advance their missions, broadening their knowledge base and committing to share the cause of conservation. Each coalition member brings specific strengths to the group that, when combined, will have a profound impact on ocean conservation that leads to international policy changes for great protection.
“It is important that we all work together to make a difference to protect our planet. This one-voice is more powerful that can make the difference we need for change. It just makes sense. This coalition is just the beginning, and we hope that more members will join us.” Alex Antoniou, Fins Attached CEO.
Coalition members will coordinate initiatives and activities to help local authorities control illegal fishing; recover ghost nets dangerous to migratory wildlife; support research and scientific knowledge of the Eastern Pacific region, which includes marine waters, coastal areas and islands from the Central Pacific to the coasts of the American continent, including California, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.
"The combining of our strengths and experiences, and our passion for conservation, constitutes a promising sum of skills to achieve significant progress in the alarming situation of the ocean, which is the lifeline for the planet." Jorge Serendero, CEO For the Oceans Foundation.
Working hand in hand with governments is an important component to the success of the coalition. Establishing collaboration with government agencies is essential for lasting changes.
Everyone and everything can benefit, including local communities.
“This coalition will raise awareness and create pathways that spark local solutions to scale global impact in support of healthy oceans and the communities that depend on them. This is exactly what Rob Stewart was working towards.” Brian and Sandy Stewart, Board of Directors, Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation.
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About Fins Attached
Fins Attached conducts research, promotes conservation and provides education for the protection of marine ecosystems. Fins Attached believes in the preservation of our world's precious resources and that through the protection of the ocean's apex predators marine ecosystem balance can be maintained for the benefit of all living things on earth. Fins Attached is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Visit www.finsattached.org - info@finsattached.org
About For The Oceans Foundation
An independent and nonprofit, international Non-Governmental Organization whose main goals are: to promote the responsible fishing and the protection of every form of marine wildlife in order to help the conservation of biodiversity and wellbeing of the oceans. The vision is to lead the public awareness through education and the implementation of viable programs focused on the responsible managing of the marine resources and the conservation of all marine ecosystems, through scientific-based projects previously agreed with the coastal communities on rivers and oceans, which can be replied and/or adjusted in Latin America and the whole world. Visit https://fortheoceansfoundation.org - info@fortheoceansfoundation.org
About Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation
The Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation is committed to protecting sharks, our ecosystems and our oceans. Our Fin-Free and Shark Free campaigns bring awareness to issues facing sharks and oceans and inspire action. Rob believed that one person can make a difference and together we can bring positive change: “Conservation is the preservation of human life on earth. And that, above all else is worth fighting for.” Our mission is to create the tools required to engage others in educating our communities worldwide. Visit https://www.robstewartsharkwaterfoundation.org – info@SharkwaterFoundation.com
About United Conservationists, Inc. (UC)
UC is a US 501(c)(3) based in Venice California. UC provides everyday people the tools needed to be effective advocates for the protection of their local and global ecosystems. By complementing grassroots efforts with state-of-the-art media and planning expertise, UC ensures that every action taken to protect the environment, no matter how small, reverberates globally. Visit https://www.unitedconservationists.org/
