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Sharks Have a Sixth Sense—and It’s Electrifying

Sharks don’t just rule the ocean with speed and strength—they also come equipped with an incredible hidden ability: a sixth sense that helps them detect electromagnetic fields in water.  This built-in superpower is thanks to tiny gel-filled canals on their snouts called ampullae of Lorenzini. These special organs can detect the faint electric fields produced … Read more

Species Spotlight: Whale Sharks 

The epitome of nature’s gentle giants, whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean. With their colossal size, unique physical characteristics, and serene demeanor, these majestic creatures captivate the hearts of marine enthusiasts and casual observers alike.   A Brief Introduction Whale sharks are not whales, instead they belong to the shark family. But they … Read more

7 Misconceptions About Sharks

Truth: Some of the biggest sharks in the world, like whale sharks and basking sharks, are actually filter feeders that eat mostly plankton and other tiny organisms. Truth: Some sharks do need to swim almost constantly, since water flowing over their gills is how they “breathe,” but not all! Sharks like nurse sharks can open … Read more

Christopher Sharkey

Christopher Sharkey is Chief Financial Officer of Oceana.  A seasoned executive with nearly 25 years of committed service to international and domestic NGO’s. Sharkey’s broad experience in the areas of finance, administrative functions, and programmatic operations include 11 years as Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Citizens Development Corps and 10 years as Vice … Read more

CEO Note: New documentary tracks the deadly shark fin trade

Sharks are ancient creatures, having roamed our blue planet’s oceans for more than 450 million years. They are older than dinosaurs and even trees. Yet in just the last half-century, oceanic shark and ray species have declined by 71%. Why? Because humans have overfished them — in large part due to the unsustainable global shark … Read more

Sharks Under Threat

The global trade endangering the ocean’s top predators  When a policy advisor from a United States Representative’s office arrived at Oceana headquarters in Washington D.C. the evening of the December Board Reception, he wasn’t just there to socialize. Instead, he delivered big news, fresh from Capitol Hill to Oceana’s Vice President of the U.S., Beth … Read more

Shark Fin Trade Banned in the United States

New Oceana Analysis Finds Tuna Fisheries Are Masking USD $411 Million Blue Shark Industry

WASHINGTON — A new Oceana-commissioned study reveals that vessels authorized to fish in the waters of designated tuna regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs) are operating major shark fisheries, propping up a massive blue shark (Prionace glauca) commercial fishery with a landing value worth USD $411 million. This first-of-its-kind analysis shows the catch value of blue … Read more

Peru Protects Sharks and Other Marine Species from Illegal Trafficking

‘Bycatch’ no more, blue shark is a $411 million fishery that deserves proper management