How is Oceana collaborating with Discovery? Discovery and Oceana are teaming up to help protect sharks threatened by a global shark fin trade that includes fins from as many as 73 million sharks each year. Through campaigns that educate and inspire, Oceana is raising awareness on why healthy oceans need sharks. Funds raised for Oceana … Read more
Canada, following a significant grassroots effort by Oceana, became the first G20 country to ban the import and export of shark fins. The practice of shark finning has been illegal in Canadian waters for years; however, Canada was the largest importer of shark fins outside of Asia. Oceana’s campaign generated more than 300,000 petition signatures … Read more
Today, a modernized Fisheries Act became law, setting the stage for rebuilding fish abundance in Canada’s oceans. For the first time since its inception in 1868, rebuilding plans are now required for depleted fish populations. The Act also ends the import and export of shark fins in Canada. These changes, among others, unlock tremendous potential … Read more
The whitetip reef shark is a slim, medium-sized shark characterized by its white-tipped dorsal and tail fins that give this species its name. Whitetip reef sharks are known for using their slender bodies to maneuver through caves and crevices throughout their coral reef habitats in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The whitetip reef shark is … Read more
The blacktip shark is a widespread, medium-sized shark characterized by its black-tipped pectoral, dorsal and tail fins that give this species its name. Blacktip sharks have black tips on all their fins except for the anal fin, which is white. It is often mistaken for the spinner shark because both species have torpedo-shaped bodies and … Read more
The sand tiger shark, also known as the gray nurse shark, is a slow-moving coastal predator distinguished by its flattened, conical snout and spiked, protruding teeth similar to the tiger shark. It has small eyes and light brown skin that resembles sand, helping the shark blend into its surroundings when looked at from above. The … Read more
The longfin mako shark is named for its particularly long pectoral fins that are as long as or longer than its head (or 23 to 31 percent of its total body length). Like its close relative the shortfin mako shark, the longfin mako shark is characterized by its large eyes and long, blade-like teeth that … Read more
The porbeagle shark is a wide-ranging shark that’s recognized by its conical snout, white underbelly and dark gray top. Scholars have proposed that the porbeagle shark’s name originates from the combination of “porpoise” and “beagle” – referencing the shark’s rounded body and dogged hunting methods. Porbeagle sharks are very active and have muscular bodies, giving … Read more
The great hammerhead shark is the largest of all nine hammerhead species, reaching an average length of 13.1 feet (4 m) and weight of 500 pounds (230 kg). The longest great hammerhead shark ever recorded was 20 feet (6.1 m) long, and the heaviest great hammerhead shark ever recorded was 991 pounds (450 kg). The … Read more
The smooth hammerhead shark is one of nine species of hammerhead sharks. It is distinguished from other hammerheads by its rounded head (cephalofoil) that’s free of notches seen on other species, such as the scalloped hammerhead shark and the great hammerhead shark. These rounded heads give smooth hammerhead sharks superior depth perception and a 360-degree … Read more
Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana.
We have already protected over 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.