This year marks the second full year of Shark Angels efforts around the world. We are a small team (though growing all the time) with large aspirations. However, we are limited by resources – and must focus our efforts. We currently are engaged in the following campaigns:

• Gathering in-person evidence (through film and photography as well as eye witness accounts) and developing localized strategies for shark hot spots – in particularly relevant areas, through our special ops team.
• Conducting “State of Shark” research analysis in shark spots around the world. Identifying state of population and current threats, applicable laws and enforcement, network of contacts, conservation approach and status, and level of need.
• Defending the sharks in the media. Creating compelling stories and features to be showcased via a variety of media outlets which build awareness and illustrate another, more accurate perspective of sharks.
• Developing over-arching campaign strategy for empowering local groups to “take back” their sharks. Field testing with a pilot and refining program as appropriate.  www.removethenets.com
• Building a network and growing the movement through the establishment of a diverse set of angels. Developing tools and information necessary to empower our network – including a virtual headquarters online.
• Developing consumer education and demand reduction campaigns that can be rolled out to lessen the growing requirements for shark products while increasing awareness. Through our angel network we are product to announce the launch of:
• Shark Savers / Wild Aid Say No to Shark Fin Soup
• Sea Shepherd Shark Friendly (coming soon)

Additionally, we have several different localized campaigns in progress. Shark Angels has a “special ops” field team that has built an informant network and constructive relationships with scientists, conservationists, naturalists, divers and even fisherman worldwide. We go wherever we are needed most, to the last remaining shark strongholds – and where sharks are under attack. Our contacts and knowledge help us infiltrate controversial locations and get right to the core of each issue.  Through approaches we have refined over the last several years, we build trust and gather our intelligence identifying and documenting the scope of the issues in a variety of means the hopes of bringing about awareness and change. Then we work to create grassroots approaches, with inspired local shark angels, to tackle each challenge, with media playing a key role – turning the tides for sharks in each threatened location.

Due to the sensitivity and need to keep these projects relatively under cover, many of these cannot be specifically disclosed. Current areas in focus include locations in:

Indonesia	Ecuador
South Africa	Singapore
Cocos Island	China
Mozambique

For an example of a localized campaign, the output of a comprehensive investigation and strategic assessment culminating in a localized grassroots movement, check out www.removethenets.com.