Help Needed: Don’t let these sharks be driven to extinction. Sign today!

Take action today to support a new proposal defending oceanic whitetip sharks from extinction Take action today to support a new proposal defending oceanic whitetip sharks from extinction ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [header logo with action button]( [Oceanic Whitetip Shark Swims Over Reef © Valeria Mas]( Don’t let these sharks be driven to extinction! Defender, An icon of the seas is slowly slipping away – but we now have [a huge opportunity to save oceanic whitetip sharks from disappearing forever!]( National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries has proposed a rule that would give these sharks additional protections under the Endangered Species Act. Oceanic whitetip sharks have been in freefall for decades: Scientists estimate the population may have fallen by 98% worldwide. There’s still time to beat extinction. NOAA Fisheries’ proposal would throw a much-needed lifeline to whitetip sharks. Now this new rule needs a boost from you: [Click here to add your signature supporting NOAA Fisheries’ new rule to save these sharks!]( This week is Shark Week, and even as we’re celebrating these amazing creatures, human activities are threatening hundreds of shark and ray species with extinction. The biggest threat to oceanic whitetip sharks is overfishing for their fins, as well as being caught and killed as bycatch by fishers casting lines and nets for other species. Congress enacted vital legislation two years ago to ban the shark fin trade in the United States. As important as those protections are, however, they don’t go far enough and the illegal shark fin trade continues to flourish. That’s why it’s vital for us to support NOAA Fisheries’ proposed rule to extend greater Endangered Species Act protections to these sharks and give law enforcement better tools to stamp out the illegal shark fin trade. The deadline to comment on NOAA Fisheries’ proposal is coming up in just a few days. Don’t delay: Help save oceanic whitetip sharks from disappearing by adding your signature today! [SIGN TO PROTECT SHARKS]( We’re grateful that you’re taking the time to defend imperiled animals from the threat of extinction. Sincerely, Jane Davenport Senior Attorney Defenders of Wildlife Defenders of Wildlife 1130 17th Street NW • Washington, DC 20036 defenders.org --------------------------------------------------------------- Photo Credit: Oceanic Whitetip Shark © Valeria Mas This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Update]( your email preferences or [unsubscribe]( [supporter]