The 12 days of sharkmas
By: Emma Carlton
What we love most about the holidays is the idea of giving back—giving back to those you love, spreading kindness, and sharing joy. Today, our Deep Blue family invites you, my reader, to give back to our sharks.
It is not just the conservationists and the marine biologists who will make the true change our world desperately needs. It’s you, it’s me, and it’s every person who dares to dream of a world where our ocean’s apex predators are not hunted for food, overfished into decline, or killed simply for their sharp teeth and ability to hunt.
At Deep Blue, we don’t believe sharks are the villains. And neither should you. These animals are more than the misunderstood stars of sensationalized media—they are the silent architects of thriving marine ecosystems. This holiday season, we invite you to join us in our mission to save the sharks. Let’s give back to the animals who give us more than we often realize—the ability to thrive on this planet. Without sharks, our intricate ecosystems would crumble, and our oceans would suffer.
So, in the spirit of the season, we bring to you a reimagination of The 12 Days of Christmas—The 12 Days of Sharkmas! This holiday guide offers 12 simple yet impactful ways we can all contribute to shark conservation, ensuring these incredible animals are here for generations to come.
Day 1: Say No to Shark Products
Skip shark fin soup, shark meat, and cosmetics containing shark liver oil (squalene). These products fuel unsustainable practices like shark finning, which kills millions of sharks annually. Instead, support alternatives that don’t come at the expense of these essential predators.
Day 2: Choose Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Conventional sunscreens often contain chemicals like oxybenzone that harm coral reefs and marine life. By switching to mineral-based, reef-safe sunscreens, you’re protecting the entire marine ecosystem, including sharks.
Day 3: Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean life. Sharks and other marine animals often ingest or become entangled in plastics, leading to severe injury or death. Ditch single-use plastics like bags, straws, and bottles in favor of reusable alternatives.
Day 4: Choose Sustainable Seafood
Overfishing depletes prey species that sharks depend on for survival. Use apps like Seafood Watch to choose sustainable options and ensure you're supporting responsible fisheries that maintain ocean health.
Day 5: Stop Overfishing
Overfishing doesn’t just threaten prey species—it disrupts entire ecosystems. Advocate for better fishing regulations, marine protected areas, and sustainable practices that help balance the ocean food chain.
Day 6: Buy Shark Teeth Responsibly
If you love collecting shark teeth, opt for fossilized specimens rather than teeth sourced from living sharks. Supporting fossilized options ensures you aren’t contributing to harmful practices.
Day 7: Support Shark Sanctuaries
Shark sanctuaries provide safe havens where sharks can thrive without the threat of fishing or human interference. Advocate for more of these protected areas or donate to organizations actively working to create them.
Day 8: Educate Others About Sharks
Sharks are often feared and misunderstood. Share the facts—like how they’ve been around for over 400 million years and are vital for ocean health. Education replaces fear with respect and appreciation for these incredible creatures.
Day 9: Choose Shark-Friendly Tourism
Support eco-tourism operators (like us!) that promote responsible shark diving. These experiences raise awareness, fund conservation efforts, and give people a chance to witness sharks’ beauty up close, shifting perspectives from fear to fascination.
Day 10: Advocate for Shark Protection Laws
Push for stronger policies that ban shark finning, shark fishing, and the global shark fin trade. Writing to representatives and supporting conservation legislation can make a tangible impact.
Day 11: Donate to Shark Conservation Efforts
Organizations working to protect sharks rely on funding for research, education, and advocacy. Consider donating to nonprofits making a difference in shark conservation. Every dollar counts.
Day 12: Be an Ocean Advocate Year-Round
Shark conservation isn’t just for Sharkmas. Commit to sustainable living and ocean-friendly practices every day. Small actions—like reducing waste, supporting ethical tourism, and sharing knowledge—add up to significant change over time.
From all of us at Deep Blue Eco Tours, Happy Sharkmas! Together, let’s turn fear into fascination, awareness into action, and make sustainability a priority—one that extends far beyond the holiday season.
Every small step you take—whether it’s saying no to plastic straws, choosing sustainable seafood, or advocating for sharks—is a step toward a brighter future for our oceans and all the life they sustain.
The holidays remind us of the importance of giving to what we value most. This year, let’s give back to our oceans and the sharks that play a vital role in keeping them alive. Together, we can create a world where these incredible creatures thrive for generations to come.
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Photo: Nika Kuznetsova (@nikakuzphoto)
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