Tuesday 5 August 2008

Interactive SHARK WEEK: Bust Shark Myths on Your Mobile Phone

Project AWARE Foundation and Discovery Mobile Advocate for Shark Conservation

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – Project AWARE Foundation teams up with Discovery Mobile to help de-bunk shark myths and educate public audiences about the dire need for their conservation around America’s favorite summer television event, Discovery Channel’s SHARK WEEK.

Using your mobile phone, log on to m.sharkweek.com and select SHARK WEEK’s Bust the Myth Quiz. Challenge your knowledge on the mystery and power of sharks and the threats facing their survival worldwide.

Now in its 21st year, SHARK WEEK airs nightly from July 27 to August 2 on Discovery Channel. This season’s programs address myths about sharks, spotlight lesser-known and unusual sharks, and educate the public about the importance of sharks through conservation information. As part of Discovery’s commitment to educating the public about the plight of sharks around the world, Discovery Mobile has partnered with Project AWARE Foundation to offer consumers this engaging and educational interactive application.

Project AWARE Foundation, also a member of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), a group made up of governments, regional, environmental and academic organizations, met recently and released a recommendation on improving shark conservation for coral reef resiliency.

“The ICRI Recommendation makes it clear that as apex predators, sharks play a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems,” states Jenny Miller Garmendia, Director for Project AWARE Foundation. “Fewer sharks can mean negative cascading effects across the food web. Loss of apex predators causes population changes that negatively impact reef and other marine ecosystems. We are depleting shark populations worldwide at alarming rates and it’s vital that we act now for their conservation. We’re excited to partner with Discovery Mobile in spreading the word on conservation during SHARK WEEK.”

Project AWARE Foundation, involved in shark conservation monitoring, education and initiatives for more than ten years, calls for your action during SHARK WEEK and beyond. What else can you do?

Support the Shark Conservation Act of 2008 – which aims to end shark “finning” the practice of slicing off the shark fins and discarding the body at sea – Project AWARE and many conservation organizations are supporting the initiative. Find out more at www.projectaware.org.

Submit Your Shark Conservation Images and Win Big – compelling images, including those of threatened shark species, are needed for conservation. Enter the Ocean in Focus Conservation Photography Contest and compete for top prizes at www.projectaware.org.

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Project AWARE Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization, works in direct partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. Project AWARE Headquarters in the United States and offices in Australia, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Japan combine efforts to protect aquatic resources in 175 countries and territories of the world. For more information on Project AWARE Foundation’s environmental initiatives visit www.projectaware.org



Divenewswire

Project AWARE Foundation, also a member of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), a group made up of governments, regional, environmental and academic organizations, met recently and released a recommendation on improving shark conservation for coral reef resili"

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