“Sharks in Sight” in MARE’s SHARK ATTRACT project

MARE is currently running the SHARK ATTRACT project, one of the winners of the 1st edition of the Ocean Conservation Fund, promoted by the Oceanário de Lisboa and the Oceano Azul Foundation. The project aims to promote the conservation of shark and ray species by raising ecological awareness, particularly among professional and recreational fishers, school-aged youth, and the general public.

“Tubarões à vista” ("Sharks in Sight") is the project's school initiative, targeted at students in the 1st cycle of Basic Education, and will take place during the 2018–2019 school year. Its goals are to improve knowledge about sharks and rays, raise awareness of the threats they face by presenting possible mitigation measures, and demystify the negative image often associated with these animals.

The initiative will feature two fun and educational sessions, scheduled for this month and the next, followed by a final challenge in which students will be invited to create an illustrated story that promotes shark and ray conservation. This story will be presented at a final event held at the Oceanário de Lisboa, where the most original story will be selected. The winning entry will be published on the SHARK ATTRACT webpage and awarded a special prize to further explore the main characters of their story.

Guided by MARE/SHARK ATTRACT researchers, students will learn about the characteristics and life habits of these magnificent animals, the dangers they face, and how we can help reduce those threats. By the end of the initiative, it is hoped that students will recognize the importance of these species to the planet—and that humans are, in fact, their greatest threat.

More information here