Ten years after leopard (zebra) sharks were listed as Endangered, Thailand’s StAR Project has reintroduced the species to the wild. With support from Shark Guardian, WildAid, and partners, young sharks are now swimming free in the Andaman Sea. This milestone shows how science, education, and citizen action can bring sharks back from the brink.

Recent shark incidents in Australia are linked to natural factors like heavy rainfall, murky water, and shifting prey movements — conditions where sharks naturally thrive. As Brendon Sing from Shark Guardian explains, these aren’t “shark invasions” but normal ocean patterns reminding us that sharks belong here and play a vital role in healthy marine ecosystems.

A major DNA study of over 16,000 shark fin samples from Hong Kong has revealed that 6.5% came from globally protected species — far higher than official reports. Critically endangered oceanic whitetip fins were found at levels 70 times above declared figures, exposing widespread illegal trade and urgent gaps in global shark protection enforcement.

2025 was a turning point for shark conservation — from global CITES protections to citizen science driving real change. As we head into 2026, Shark Guardian continues to lead through education, research, and action, empowering people and communities to protect sharks, rays, and the oceans they call home.

In a historic win for ocean conservation, CITES CoP20 has adopted sweeping global protections for more than 70 shark and ray species, including a full international trade ban for the Oceanic Whitetip Shark. This marks the first-ever Appendix I listing for a shark, signaling a new era for marine conservation and a vital opportunity for global recovery efforts led by organizations like Shark Guardian.

During EU Ocean Week 2025 in Brussels, Shark Guardian joined leading conservation groups to urge the European Commission to deliver on its promise of an EU-wide shark fin ban. Despite over 1.1 million citizens supporting this initiative in 2022, decisive action has yet to be taken. The “Shark Lab” event at the European Parliament brought together scientists, NGOs, and policymakers to highlight the urgent need to protect sharks and end the trade that threatens their survival.

We at Shark Guardian are alarmed by the 26th August 2025 announcement that the Gulper shark fishery will reopen in November under a comprehensive management plan. This move is deeply troubling—not only because it undermines the Maldives’ reputation as a global shark sanctuary but also because it risks the long-term health of the nation’s tourism-dependent economy.

As Jaws turns 50, we dive beneath the surface of Spielberg’s iconic thriller to explore its cultural impact, political symbolism, and the lasting fear it sparked around sharks — a fear that continues to shape public perception and threatens shark conservation efforts to this day.

Join Shark Guardian on a breathtaking 7-night expedition aboard Scubaspa Yin in the Maldives—one of the world’s last shark sanctuaries. This unforgettable journey blended thrilling dives with manta rays and nurse sharks, powerful shark conservation talks, and luxurious eco-living. From citizen science to spa retreats, this trip inspired action and connection beneath and beyond the surface. Dive in and be part of the movement to protect our oceans.

Queensland’s $88 million shark control expansion plan—relying heavily on lethal nets and drum lines—is facing legal and federal scrutiny for its devastating impact on marine life. With over 1,600 animals caught last year, including whales, turtles, and rays, experts warn the plan violates environmental laws and ignores scientific evidence. Shark Guardian urges smarter, non-lethal solutions to protect both people and ocean ecosystems.

South Australia bans fishing of endangered sharks & rays, protecting species like the gray nurse shark & green sawfish.

As 2024 draws to a close, Shark Guardian reflects on a year filled with impactful projects, groundbreaking discoveries etc..