For over 400 million years, many species of sharks have played critical roles in maintaining ocean ecosystems.

Today, there are over 500 shark species, and their function in the ocean varies greatly, ranging from the gentle whale shark that can grow to 32 feet in length, weigh over 20 tons while filter feeds on plankton, krill,  and small schooling fish and their eggs, to the dominant and fierce, marine predators such as the 15-foot white and 14-foot tiger shark as adults that feed on among other things marine mammals.  Some sharks are tiny, the smallest being the 8 inch dwarf lanternshark, which lives at depths of over 1,000 feet and feeds on organisms smaller than itself.

As humans fear of sharks has matured into an understanding that they are both essential to marine health, and now threatened with extinction, legislation has flourished over the past two decades, covering 70% of the world’s oceans, most commonly to prevent shark finning to reduce shark mortality from commercial fishing.

But shark finning legislation  hasn’t worked, according a study, Global shark fishing mortality still rising despite widespread regulatory change, published in one of the world’s top academic journals, Science 2024.

The authors report that between 2012-2019 shark deaths from fishing increased globally from 76 million to 80 million sharks per year, and that nearly 25 million of these shark species are endangered with extinction.

A consequence of the shark-finning regulations has reduced animal cruelty and waste, yet it is actually leading to an increase in shark consumption by people around the world, which may grow this market and ultimately increase the threats to shark survival.

Stronger action is needed in two areas: Regulate fishing to minimize impacts on unwanted catch of species and control effort to prohibit overfishing of targeted species; and one of the best ways to protect sharks and marine biodiversity generally is to create no-take marine reserves.  The good news is that some well-managed coastal no-take zones and some larger offshore no-take protected areas are allowing some shark population to increase and stabilize.

Unfortunately, at least in the US, the Trump administration has moved to roll back protections from marine reserves. In April 2025, President Trump issued an executive order calling for a review of existing marine monuments, followed by a proclamation opening the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine Monument south of Hawaii to commercial fishing. On February 6, 2026, he signed a further proclamation opening the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing as well.

Turtle Island is working to keep sharks alive, concentrating efforts now on maintaining and increasing protection for marine reserves in the US and around the world. Now, you have the opportunity to speak out to protect sharks in the Atlantic as NOAA Fisheries is considering a dangerous rollback of protections after pressure from fishing interests claiming sharks are “overpopulated.” Act fast! The comment deadline closes on May 29, 2026.

We need your help! Please take additional action by:

1. Signing this petition to protect Northeast Canyons monument here.
2. Demanding Costa Rica to complete their portion of the Cocos-Galapagos Swimway here.
3. Signing up to receive actions from the TIRN Action Center here.

Header photo credit: NOAA.

Header photo credit: Tucker Joenz Florida FWC, taken under NOAA permit 18786

Among the many iconic whale species residing in the Gulf of Mexico (Humpback, Sperm, Dwarf & pygmy sperm, Melon-headed and Short-finned pilot) lives one of the rarest whales on Earth – the Rice’s whale. Found only in the U.S. waters of the Gulf, this remarkable animal is hanging on by a thread with an estimated population of just 50 individuals.

This World Whale Day, we’re shining a spotlight on the Rice’s whale – their shared history, irreplaceable ecological importance and tangible ways to join us in protecting them. Unless immediate action is taken, we may witness the tragic extinction of a species that exists nowhere else on the planet.

TAKE ACTION HERE!

Rice’s whales are the only resident baleen whale in the Gulf, playing a critical role in maintaining the health and balance of the marine environment. Through nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, food web stabilization and biodiversity support, Rice’s whales help sustain the productivity of these U.S. waters. Yet, the human impact they have endured tell a troubling story of survival. Unregulated oil and gas development in the Gulf poses a significant and ongoing threat. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill alone is estimated to have reduced the population by more than 20%.

Today, the surviving whales struggle amid the constant din of vessel traffic and seismic air gun surveys used in offshore exploration. Large cargo ships speed through their habitat without restrictions and vessel strikes have already caused fatal injuries. If you live near or visit the Gulf of Mexico, you have a unique opportunity to take part in citizen science if you’re lucky enough to spot a Rice’s whale. Every confirmed sighting provides vital information that helps strengthen protections for this critically endangered species.

Whale conservation doesn’t stop at the Gulf – no matter where you live in the U.S., there are whales and dolphins off your coasts that need protection, too. This World Whale Day, let’s take a collective moment to learn about the whales in your own “backyard” and stand with us in protecting the ocean giants that connect us all.

On November 20th, the Department of the Interior released President Trump’s latest offshore drilling plan, which would open up to 34 potential lease sales across more than 1.27 billion acres of ocean. Despite strong local opposition, the proposal puts large stretches of coastline at risk, including areas off Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, California’s entire Pacific coast and waters increasingly close to Florida.

The offshore drilling plan is full of empty promises. The plan will not lower energy costs for Americans and instead further ties U.S. energy prices to volatile global markets, while taxpayers remain responsible for abandoned infrastructure, spill cleanup, and other long-term costs. Offshore drilling threatens public health and local economies, not to mention the clear harm inflicted on marine life and ocean ecosystems.

Join us in taking action today and submit comments in opposition the 11th National OCS Oil & Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program, to protect vulnerable coastal communities, marine wildlife and our blue-green planet.

The Trump Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have announced a new proposed “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule that dramatically restricts which water bodies are protected from pollution and destruction under the Clean Water Act. The agencies are accepting public comments on the proposed rule through January 5, 2026. Clean, safe water should not be up for debate, yet proposed changes by the EPA would weaken protections for streams and wetlands essential to our drinking water. These waters feed directly into the rivers, lakes and oceans our wildlife and communities rely on. Removing their safeguards would allow pollution to spread, increasing risks to public health and flooding.

Our partners at Bayou City Waterkeeper completed an analysis of the water impacts in the Houston- Galveston region. Texas, for example, consistently ranks among the states with the highest levels of marine debris, and the Galveston region – where our Gulf of Mexico team is based – bears a disproportionate burden because it sits at the downstream end of one of the state’s largest watersheds. Pollution generated hundreds of miles inland often ends up on Galveston’s shores and wetlands, highlighting why the Clean Water Act is so critical: marine debris and poor water quality aren’t just coastal issues and strong, watershed-wide protections are essential to protect downstream communities.

Since 1972, the Clean Water Act has helped reduce industrial pollution and sewage, strengthen sanitation systems and limit development that would destroy wetlands. Proposed changes to the Clean Water Act would significantly narrow which waters are protected, weakening enforcement and putting wetlands, clean water and coastal communities at greater risk.

Take action below!

*Update as of Friday, December 19th: Hopeful news just in from yesterday’s action alert to save our national parks and public lands, and a huge thanks to everyone who mobilized! After strong pressure from the conservation community, Sen. Lee refiled his amendment without the provision that would have weakened national park and public land protections. That’s real progress – and proof that collective advocacy works! But still, we’re not fully out of the woods yet. The Senate left for recess without voting on the appropriations package and there’s always the risk that new language could be added when lawmakers return in January. This is what happens when park and public land advocates raise our voices – online and in the halls of Congress. Together, we pushed back this threat and together we’ll stay vigilant and ready for whatever comes next.