Shark Sanctuary San Francisco

"Saving the Bay One Shark at a Time"                         

The San Francisco Bay is an important and complex ecological system whose influence extends from the Sierra to the Sea.  In the past century, the Bay has undergone dramatic change. Nearly 95 % of wetlands habitat has been lost and the bay has filled in with sediments.  Dredging, pollution and toxic runoff have impacted marine life and overfishing is causing our fisheries to collapse. The San Francisco Bay is an important nursery for several species of sharks and rays. The Shark Sanctuary is an initiative to better understand and help conserve our remaining living resources, especially sharks, and to support habitat restoration and ecosystems in the Bay such as eelgrass beds and native oysters.

The Shark Sanctuary is a multi faceted ecosystem protection approach using sharks as a symbol for the health of the entire bay, from the Delta to the Golden Gate Bridge.  

Support Our Healthy Ocean Initiative  Donate and Become a Shark Steward 

The Shark Sanctuary is based on the following:

Research:

• Determining the size, range and biology of local shark populations through Mark and Recapture and Genetic Analysis.

• Evaluating the impacts of Shark Fishing on the Bay shark populations.

• Protecting sharks from overfishing

Ecosystem Protection:

• Evaluating existing research and impacts on entire ecosystems of select regions of the San Francisco Bay known to host shark populations.
• Determining regions with ideal habitat that will benefit sharks and other fish and marine invertebrates.
• Defining regions where shark pupping is known to occur.
• Developing partners and establish stakeholder support including fishermen to support protected areas in the San Francisco Bay.
• Garnering support from local and state fisheries management to establish seasonal, size and regional protection for sharks.

Education:

• Raising awareness on the importance of sharks locally and globally.

• Shark Stewards: Reaching out to schools and the public through shark events to celebrate the importance of sharks and a healthy San Francisco Bay.

• Conducting ecosystem assessment of select regions for considering marine protection

• Educating recreational fishers on the impacts of mercury and other toxins in bony fish and sharks taken from the Bay. 

• Promoting the practice of catch and release of all sharks in the San Francisco Bay

• Developing a voluntary marina education program discouraging the landing of sharks.

• Advising consumers about health risks from mercury toxicity

Advocacy:

• Introduced, promoted and helped pass California Assembly Bill 376 (Fong/ Huffman) the California Shark Conservation Act

• Continuing Shark Fin Bans in Texas, Florida and cities outside the United State

• Pressuring Central American governments like Costa Rica to enforce shark fin laws and stop the landings of shark fins

• Working on increased protections for sharks from the longline industry

What Can You Do?

For a Healthy Ocean and San Francisco Bay we must fish and consume fish sustainably.

Help support sharks and a sustainable fishery through sustainable consumption and fishing practices.

Help us raise awareness that shark consumption and shark fin soup is not healthy for humans or for shark populations.

We have been sucessful in San Francisco and California reducing the shark fin trade but must continue to speak out for sharks and stop the sale of shark fins and fin products worldwide.  Help us educate consumers and let the community know that sharks are important for a healthy San Francisco Bay and World Ocean.