$50 covers the cost of bait required for underwater video monitoring of sharks.
$100 funds the monitoring of large marine species by one fisher.
$250 supports running two school presentations with materials.
Sharks and rays are an essential part of a marine ecosystem.
MarAlliance works to conserve sharks and rays throughout the Americas, as well as in Micronesia—a small group of islands in the western Pacific Ocean—and Cabo Verde, Africa.
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Despite their intimidating reputations, sharks have far more to fear from us than we do from them.
Sharks and rays—who are in the same class of fish—are vulnerable to human induced threats like pollution, climate change, and overfishing. Global demand for their meat and fins is also contributing to severe declines in shark populations. Twenty four percent of sharks and rays worldwide are now endangered to extinction, due primarily to overfishing, and to a lesser extent due to pollution, climate change, and habitat degradation. After surviving for 400 million years on this planet, sharks and rays are now in serious trouble. Sharks and rays are an essential part of a marine ecosystem, their disappearance endangers the oceans.
MarAlliance, led by founder Dr. Rachel Graham, works to conserve sharks and rays throughout the Americas, as well as in Micronesia—a small group of islands in the western Pacific Ocean—and Cabo Verde, Africa. Scientific research to support fisheries management and conservation efforts as well as training local communities—from students to fishers—about marine wildlife are at the heart of MarAlliance’s work. MarAlliance also supports the creation and expansion of marine protected areas and legislation that enables sustainable fisheries to minimize threats and maximize protection of sharks and rays.
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The canaries in the coal mine for how our reefs are actually doing are the large marine wildlife, like sharks and rays.Dr. Rachel Graham
Dr. Rachel Graham, Founder and Executive Director
Rachel has been fascinated by the ocean ever since her childhood in Tunisia. She’s worked with fishers to establish effective conservation goals for nearly 20 years. In 2011, she won the prestigious Whitley Fund for Nature Gold Award, and in 2014 she founded MarAlliance to promote impactful and inclusive grassroots science and conservation of marine wildlife. Rachel is probably best known for her successful conservation work with whale sharks and she is now focused on protecting what she calls “toothy” sharks, as well as rays and other threatened marine species.
Conservation Solutions
Baselines & Long Term Monitoring
MarAlliance conducts research on sharks, rays, deep-sea fish, and fisheries in the Meso-American Region on a regular basis to identify where overfishing may be upsetting the delicate balance of the tropical marine ecosystem. Their wildlife monitoring efforts, along with social science surveys, help shape conservation strategies so that these species, as well as the human populations that depend on the ecosystem, can continue to thrive.
Children of the Sea & Honduras Museum
To encourage children to be fearless champions of marine wildlife, MarAlliance created the Children of the Sea program. It introduces students to sharks and rays through classroom and field experiences to understand the animal’s importance for the ecosystem while dispelling fears they might have. In Honduras, MarAlliance also reaches the wider public with educational workshops at the National Identity Museum.
Guna Mola Masks
MarAlliance supports women from Panama’s Kuna Yala Comarca through the sale of unique beautiful mola masks depicting focal marine species. Molas are traditionally made and worn as clothing by Kuna women. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all tourism to Panama stopped and the Comarca closed its borders, so these unique and delicate masks have become an important source of income for Guna families.
Training Fishers for Research & Monitoring
MarAlliance trains and works with local traditional fishers to conduct marine research and monitoring activities, providing a greater portion of their annual income to decrease fishing effort. Several MarAlliance partners have themselves become trainers and conducted peer-to-peer training to other fishers, building capacity while also gaining valuable traditional ecological knowledge.
Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries
MarAlliance is a member of the The Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries in Belize, advocating for reduction of equipment that harms marine wildlife and decimates fisheries. In 2020, with MarAlliance’s support, the Belize Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development, signed into law a statute banning the use and possession of gillnets in the marine waters of Belize.
Scientific Research
Baselines & Long Term Monitoring
MarAlliance conducts research on sharks, rays, deep-sea fish, and fisheries in the Meso-American Region on a regular basis to identify where overfishing may be upsetting the delicate balance of the tropical marine ecosystem. Their wildlife monitoring efforts, along with social science surveys, help shape conservation strategies so that these species, as well as the human populations that depend on the ecosystem, can continue to thrive.
Expanding Education
Children of the Sea & Honduras Museum
To encourage children to be fearless champions of marine wildlife, MarAlliance created the Children of the Sea program. It introduces students to sharks and rays through classroom and field experiences to understand the animal’s importance for the ecosystem while dispelling fears they might have. In Honduras, MarAlliance also reaches the wider public with educational workshops at the National Identity Museum.
Empowering Women
Guna Mola Masks
MarAlliance supports women from Panama’s Kuna Yala Comarca through the sale of unique beautiful mola masks depicting focal marine species. Molas are traditionally made and worn as clothing by Kuna women. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all tourism to Panama stopped and the Comarca closed its borders, so these unique and delicate masks have become an important source of income for Guna families.
Boosting Local Economies
Training Fishers for Research & Monitoring
MarAlliance trains and works with local traditional fishers to conduct marine research and monitoring activities, providing a greater portion of their annual income to decrease fishing effort. Several MarAlliance partners have themselves become trainers and conducted peer-to-peer training to other fishers, building capacity while also gaining valuable traditional ecological knowledge.
Guiding Policy
Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries
MarAlliance is a member of the The Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries in Belize, advocating for reduction of equipment that harms marine wildlife and decimates fisheries. In 2020, with MarAlliance’s support, the Belize Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development, signed into law a statute banning the use and possession of gillnets in the marine waters of Belize.
Impact by the Numbers
5
countries received technical advice for the development of National Plans of Actions for Sharks
1st
baselines for sharks and rays in Belize, Honduras, and selected sites for Mexico, Guatemala, Panama and Cabo Verde conducted by MarAlliance
700
masks made and sold by women artisans enlisted by MarAlliance to promote health safety during the COVID-19 pandemic
News & Stories
Untangling the Gillnet Problem
Dan cut the engine and let his boat gently bob along the waves near the coastline. Below, schools of snook... Learn More
Tracking Sea Turtles with MarAlliance
For World Sea Turtle Day, let’s take a dive with MarAlliance to celebrate turtle science and the people who make... Learn More
From Nets to Networks
Fishers are a primary source of, and thus a necessary solution to, the problem of unsustainable fishing. Moreover, they live... Learn More
"Elasmovangelizing"
As I checked into my flight recently at Panama’s International Airport, I was asked a slew of security questions, where... Learn More
Every Tiger Shark Counts: No.52's Transatlantic Journey
Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean a powerful figure cuts her way through the choppy water. A tiger shark—six feet long... Learn More
Protecting Wildlife: The Untapped Solution to the Climate Crisis
We’ve all seen the headlines: Climate change. Ocean acidification. Biodiversity loss. Mass species extinction. We know we are living through... Learn More
Climate Crisis is a Wildlife Crisis
From the desertification of the African savannah to the melting of the Arctic glaciers, climate change is transforming the landscape... Learn More
Celebrating Women in Conservation
Women play an integral role in conservation, with countless pioneering female conservationists working globally to save endangered wildlife. Tomorrow, on... Learn More
Keeping Hammerheads out of Nets
The rumbling of the motorboat was gone. Rachel could no longer hear the whistle of the wind or the squawking... Learn More
A Snapshot of the Fall 2018 Wildlife Conservation Expo
October in San Francisco signals the return of our flagship Wildlife Conservation Expo, providing wildlife enthusiasts with the opportunity to... Learn More
Let Them Eat Lionfish
Unlike many islands in the turquoise waters of Panama’s indigenous Guna Yala region, Aglidub is truly off the beaten path.... Learn More
Seeking the Elusive and Reclusive Sawfish
It’s a gorgeous afternoon; a generous breeze moving off the sea is keeping the heat in check. Rachel Graham of... Learn More
A New Image for Sharks
Most of us have never encountered a shark in the ocean; we've only seen them on television or in the... Learn More
Get the Most Out of Shark Week
Shark Week is back! Sharks are often misunderstood, feared by most people and given a bad reputation by the media.... Learn More
Under the Seas with Dr. Rachel Graham
Dr. Rachel Graham had what she calls her “Aha Moment” when she met a 22-foot long whale shark underwater for... Learn More
Expanding the Network: WCN Steps Into Exciting New Territory
It's no exaggeration to say that the WCN network of conservationists, donors, and staff approach their commitment to protecting wildlife... Learn More
World Environment Day 2018
Today—on World Environment Day—we'd like to highlight some of the actions our Conservation Partners are taking to help create a... Learn More
Photography Credits: Joshua Asel, MarAlliance