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Frequently Asked Questions |
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The Shark Trust receives a wide variety of enquiries every day and spends many hours dealing with them. Below is a selection of the most common enquiries we receive. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, try using the search function within the site to see if your question is answered elsewhere. |
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Conservation
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1. Why are shark populations declining?
2. What is shark finning? |
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3. I’ve seen shark meat, curios or other shark derivatives for sale. What can I do? |
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4. What conservation projects can I join to work with sharks?
5. How do I get a job in shark conservation?
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General Shark-Related Questions |
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1. How can I find out more about a particular shark species? |
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2. Where can I find responsible Basking Shark tour operators in the UK? |
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3. I have seen a Basking Shark - what should I do? |
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4. I have seen something strange on the shore - what should I do? |
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Shark Trust |
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1. Does the Shark Trust give talks? |
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2. Where can I find more information on the Shark Trust?
3. Working for the Shark Trust
4. Volunteering for the Shark Trust, Work Placements & Internships
5. How can I help the Shark Trust & shark conservation
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6. Where can I get Shark Trust merchandise? |
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7. I want to adopt a shark - what do I get and where does my money go? |
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8. How does joining the Shark Trust help protect sharks? Where does my membership money go? |
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9. I’d like to use an image I’ve seen on your website
Fundraising & Commercial Sponsorship
1. I’d like to organise a fundraising event to raise money for the Shark Trust.
2. Can I run the London Marathon for the Shark Trust?
3. What is Give As You Earn?
4. Why is the Shark Trust unable to accept donations through Just Giving?
5. How can I help shark conservation by shopping online?
6. How do I become a commercial supporter of the Trust?
7. Can I display a Shark Trust Charity Box in my shop?
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Conservation |
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1. Why are shark populations declining?The populations of many species of shark are suffering a documented decline. Overfishing and excessive bycatch, shark finning and habitat destruction are all seriously impacting on global shark populations.
2. What is shark finning?
Finning is the process of cutting off the fins of a shark and discarding the body at sea. Often, the shark will be thrown back into the sea alive; unable to swim, the shark either drowns to death or is eaten alive by other fish. This wasteful and cruel practice contradicts all principles of sustainable shark fisheries management and conservation. Find out more by visiting out Stop Shark Finning Campaign.3. I’ve seen shark meat, curios or other shark derivatives for sale. What can I do?Unfortunately, there are very few shark products that are illegal to sell. In the United Kingdom trade in shark parts, that come from any shark except Basking in British waters. International trade in shark species listed on CITES Appendix I (Sawfish) and Appendix II (Great White, Basking and Whale Shark) is restricted - see www.cites.org for more information.
In places that are selling shark related products and if you feel comfortable doing so, politely let the staff, preferably the manager, of the store/restaurant know why you will not be purchasing the product. Keep your contact with them polite, non-abusive and specific, no matter how upset and frustrated you might be feeling. Although the Shark Trust encourages full utilisation of shark carcasses where caught, the Trust does not support trade in shark products derived from unsustainable fisheries. Visit our Campaigns section for more information on specific issues and what you can do. You can also contact us to tell us what you have found for sale, where it was and any other information you have about it.4. What conservation projects can I join to work with sharks?
There are a number of organisations nationally and internationally that are involved in shark conservation work. Our links section offers a number of possibilities and many others can be found through an internet search. You can also contact your local aquarium, dive club, university or research facility to see what projects they are involved in and whether you can get involved. The Shark Trust is an office-based organisation and does not host volunteer placements involving field research. However we do offer other in office and online volunteering opportunities. To find out more about current volunteering opportunities please visit our volunteer section of the website.
5. How do I get a job in shark conservation?
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General Shark-Related Questions |
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1. How can I find out more about a particular shark species?There is lots of useful information about shark species on this website. Take a look at the About Sharks section of our website, here you will find a wealth of information about sharks both in British waters and abroad, including our downloadable Shark ID Guides and Factsheets. 2. Where can I find responsible Basking Shark tour operators in the UK?The WISE Scheme has a list of accredited Basking Shark tour operators who adhere to the Basking Shark Code of Conduct.
3. I've seen a Basking Shark, what should I do?Contact the Shark Trust with as much detail about the sighting as possible including the location, the date and time of the sighting, the number and sizes of sharks, along with any comments on their behaviour. Alternatively you can submit your sighting online on our sightings database. If you have any photographs of the dorsal fin, you can also submit these along with your sigthing details to the European Basking Shark Photo-Id Project (EBSPiP). 4. I've seen something strange on the shore, what should I do?The Sealife Signpost Scheme provides guidance on who to contact and where to send sightings of marine species.
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Shark Trust |
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1. Does the Shark Trust give talks?The Shark Trust receives many requests for us to attend talks and outreach or educational events. While we attempt to honour all invitations, each event is assessed on a case by case basis. If you would like us to attend an event or give a talk then please write to us at enquiries@sharktrust.org detailing the event and we will respond accordingly.
2. Where can I find more information on the Shark Trust?Have a look at the About Us section of our website.
3. Working for the Shark Trust
The Shark Trust is a small charity governed by a board of trustees. We are the UK shark conservation charity and are based in Plymouth, UK. All vacancies are advertised on our vacancies page of the website. We also offer volunteering opportunities.
4. Volunteering for the Shark Trust, Work Placements & Internships
Unfortunately the Shark Trust is not in a position to offer work placements or internships, as we are a small charity. The Trust does not undertake in any field work and is primarily office based, attending a few outreach events throughout the year. There is a range of voluntary activities that individuals can get involved with, which are listed on our volunteer page. For indivdiuals over 18 years and living in Plymouth, there is the option of volunteering in house. Please contact John Richardson at: john@sharktrust.org for more information. Please note that for insurance reasons we cannot allow volunteers under the age of 18 to work within the Shark Trust office. You may also find our useful links page helpful in finding alternative organisations in which to contact. If you can think of any ways in which you would like to contribute to the Shark Trust, then please let us know
5. How can I help the Shark Trust & shark conservation
There are lots of ways you can get involved with the Shark Trust and help to save sharks. See our Save Sharks section for more information. 5. Where can I get Shark Trust merchandise?The Shark Trust has a wide range of shark-related merchandise, click here to visit our online shop.
6. I want to adopt a shark, what do I get and where does my money go?The money helps support projects in the Farallon Islands USA and the Basking shark photo ID projects. Please visit the Adopt a Shark section to find out more.
7. How does joining the Shark Trust help protect sharks? Where does my membership money go?
Your money is used to help support our campaigns and enables us to continue to work towards ensuring the protection and future of the world’s chondricthyan fishes. The Trust is delighted to be able to say only 5% of its income is used for administration and governance of the charity. This is amazing and means your money goes where it is intended, shark conservation.
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8. I’d like to use an image I’ve seen on your websiteMost of our images are kindly donated, for Shark Trust use, by the original photographer, which means that in most cases the Shark Trust do not own the copypright. However, If you would like to use one of the images featured on our website, please contact us at: enquiries@sharktrust.org and we will endeavour to contact the copyright holder on your behalf to gain their permission. If the image is desired for commercial use, a fee will usually be required. Please allow plenty of time when requesting images, as this may take some time to organise.
Fundraising & Commercial Sponsorship
1. I’d like to organise a fundraising event to raise money for the Shark Trust.
The Shark Trust greatly values supporters giving their time to raise money for shark conservation. For ideas about the sorts of events and activities you could do, please visit our Wall of Fames. Please be aware that any fundraising event you organise is an independent event, to raise money for the Trust, and cannot be classified as a Shark Trust event. This must be made clear in any promotional material for the event, as the Trust cannot be held responsible for any personal or public injury, or loss as a result of this event. We would also appreciate all sponsorship monies raised on behalf of the Trust to be submitted within 3 months of the completion of the fundraising event. Please visit our Fundraising page for more information.
2. Can I run the London Marathon for the Shark Trust?
We are always very grateful when people take part in marathons to raise funds for the Trust. However, we are unable to supply entrants with Golden Bond tickets. These charitable entries are extremely restricted and generally given to very large charities, who can keep them for as long as they wish. There is currently a list of 600+ charities waiting to receive golden bonds. So whilst we are delighted that people wish to run for charity, all runners are expected to go through the usual ballot entry method.
3. What is Give As You Earn?
‘Give As You Earn’ is a payroll giving scheme that enables employees to donate tax free through their pay to any charity in the UK. Ask your employer if they subscribe to ‘Give As You Earn’ and donate to the Shark Trust today!
4. Why is the Shark Trust unable to accept donations through Just Giving?
Just Giving charges the charity £15 a month plus VAT to be registered, and takes 5% plus VAT on all donations. As a charity this money is important to us and we feel the money is better spent on our work than on admin charges to a third party. Donations can be made free of charge through our website directly into our bank. We are always greatly appreciative for donations made through sponsorship as this helps enormously towards our work and projects. It would be a pity to have to pay out £200 a year to register with Just Giving, when this money could be put towards shark conservation.
5. How can I help shark conservation by shopping online?
You can also help to raise funds for the Shark Trust as you shop online with 2000 of the UK’s best known retailers, including; Amazon, Next, Argos, John Lewis and HMV, when you shop through easyfundraising.org.uk. The Shark Trust will benefit from between 2% and 15% of every purchase you make.
6. How do I become a commercial supporter of the Trust?
The Shark Trust is grateful to a number of companies who have pledged to donate a portion of their sales revenue to the Shark Trust. These companies can be viewed on our Commercial Sponsors page. We welcome commercial supporters but must stress that we are unable to endorse any of the companies who support our cause, or allow the use of the Shark Trust logo in any external promotion. We are able to provide companies with a reciprocal link on our website and an ‘In Support of the Shark Trust’ logo, which can be used freely. However, we must stress that companies cannot use the Shark Trust logo or any images from the Shark Trust website due to copyright and legal issues. The Shark Trust does not endorse any commercial company or their products.
7. Can I display a Shark Trust Charity Box in my shop?
Yes you can. You just have to contact glenys@sharktrust.org and ask for one. She will send you a box and seals with a permission form to collect. Boxes cannot be sent for an individual to collect on the street, as this requires a licence from the operating council for the charity to undertake this collection. If the land is privately owned then permission will need to be sought from the landowner first and this would need to be sent to us in writing.
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