Tampa, Florida
by Kelli Cadenas, SEA LIFE Orlando & SAFE Steering Committee Member
Have you ever wanted to be around hundreds of people who love sharks as much as you do? That’s what it was like being at Shark Con in Tampa Florida. SAFE sharks and rays represented this year with three speakers: Matt Seguin from Mote Marine Lab, Paul Cox from the Shark Trust, and myself, Kelli Cadenas from SEA LIFE Orlando. It was amazing to talk about the work we do with sharks from our shark handling project to real world shark conservation and messaging. We also discussed our community science projects, and how people can get involved! Sharks need our help, and nothing is more exciting than seeing such a large group of people coming together to talk about their love for sharks, and to engage in conversations about shark conservation.
Paul also gave a talk about his work with the Shark trust, a Conservation organization and SAFE partner. We love the work that our partners do, and one of our missions within SAFE sharks and rays to spread the amazing work we all do! Shark Con had a variety of presenters talking about shark science and shark conservation. There were also a large number of vendors, selling everything from shark art to megalodon teeth collected on Florida beaches. Diving vendors talked about opportunities to see sharks, while diving, as well as representatives from Florida Fish and Wildlife presenting on what sharks we have here in Florida and how we can understand and protect them!
You can find shark-loving people every day at an AZA accredited aquarium or zoo near you, weather you are in Florida like me, or anywhere across North America. Check out our list of program partners to see who is working specifically on shark conservation! Follow our Facebook page to see more of what all our partners are doing for sharks!
