Joint Project by Bali Sharks and Gili Shark Foundation aims to save sharks

Press Release

Bali Sharks and Gili Shark Foundation

09. August 2013

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Bali Sharks / Gili Shark Foundation announce successful rescue & release program

On Saturday, July 20, Bali Sharks conservation nursery donated four sharks to the Gili Shark Foundation. Two White Tip and two Black Tip Reef Sharks, ranging from 0.90 to 1.20 meters were transferred from Bali to Gili Trawangan on Gili Getaway’s fast boat. Upon arrival, a support group from Big Bubble Dive met the sharks and assisted in the tagging and release at a dive location named Manta Point.

This completes a World’s first shark rescue, rehab, and release program offering a socio-economic solution to Bali’s fishermen killing sharks. Under the protected waters of the Gili Eco Trust the sharks are expected to thrive and complete full life cycles.

After the release, the collaborating groups met with members of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to discuss the future possibility of a sustainable shark conservation park that can be marketed and enjoyed by dive tourism.

Bali Sharks operates a shark conservation nursery offering an alternative to fishermen killing sharks for fins. To date 63 sharks have been saved.

Gili Shark Foundation monitors the shark population around the waters of the Gili Islands in Lombok, Indonesia and is dedicated to the protection and conservation of the sharks themselves as well as their habitat.

Note:

Video of Shark Release on youtube: Gili Shark Release

Source: Bali Sharks
Photo Credit: Gili Shark Foundation