WildAid

We were proud to have Sammy Safari, a ranger from WildAid's partner Bahari Hai, represent us at the recent 7th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC7) in Cape Town, South Africa! At IMCC7—the world’s largest gathering of ocean conservationists—Sammy shared his story and highlighted the essential role communities play in effective marine management. He emphasized that communities should be seen as partners and opportunities for marine managers. WildAid’s approach reflects this vision. Through community engagement and shared goal-setting, we empower local partners to protect marine environments and support long-term sustainability. This work aligns with our 6-step BLUEprint for MPA Success, a collaborative, community-centered framework that curbs illegal fishing, enhances enforcement, and fosters marine life recovery. 🌿🐟 By partnering with local communities and agencies, we tailor solutions that meet the needs of each unique marine area. We’re inspired by the engaging discussions and global commitment to #MakeMarineScienceMatter at #IMCC7! Photo courtesy of Bahari Hai.

From October 7-11, WildAid's marine team partnered with Gabon's General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture to host a vital training workshop for fisheries inspectors. Over three days, participants engaged in classroom training, followed by two days of hands-on operational activities in Gabon's Komo Estuary. During these field missions, 69 small fishing boats were inspected, leading to 24 infractions related to unauthorized fishing or operating in prohibited areas. 🛶 This workshop is part of our ongoing efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, while enhancing the skills needed to ensure sustainable fishing practices and protect Gabon’s marine resources. 🌍 Why it matters: Gabon’s coastal waters are a haven for critical ecosystems, including vital mangrove forests and marine habitats that support a wide variety of species, such as sea turtles and manatees. These waters also serve as crucial breeding and nursery grounds for fish populations. By strengthening enforcement capacity, we help ensure these ecosystems remain resilient and productive for generations to come. Thank you to all the participants and partners for their dedication in making this initiative a success! Together, we’re building a sustainable future for Gabon’s marine ecosystems. #ConservationIsATeamSport Learn more about this workshop via Gabon Review: https://lnkd.in/g2vHyVqh

SAVE THE DATE: Our next livestream is November 21st at 11 am PST/2 pm EST! The WildAid team will share inspiring stories of our latest efforts to protect vulnerable wildlife, from sea turtles and pangolins to thriving mangrove forests and beyond. You'll also discover how WildAid is making a positive impact on ocean ecosystems and contributing to the fight against climate change. 🌎 Register here: https://lnkd.in/g2kNbZgf

Leopard sharks undergo a striking transformation as they mature. Juveniles are born with dark stripes that mimic the markings of venomous sea snakes, offering them protection from predators. As they mature, these stripes gradually fade, revealing the distinctive spots of adult leopard sharks. In Thailand, leopard sharks are crucial to the health of the marine ecosystem, but they're becoming increasingly rare. They're often caught as bycatch because they inhabit coral reefs or sandy bottoms, which increases their likelihood of getting caught in fishing gear. Earlier this year, WildAid and Ocean Blue Tree joined forces on the “Spot the Leopard Shark – Thailand” program, which invites the local diving community to contribute photos of leopard sharks taken in Thai waters to identify individuals and assess population trends, behavior, and key habitats. This data will then be analyzed to guide future conservation efforts.  📸 Every photo counts in the effort to save Thailand's leopard sharks! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gBVnYT4Z

We’re thrilled to have partnered with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to host the second annual Uganda Conservation Media Awards in Kampala last week. This event celebrated the finest Ugandan reporting on conservation and highlighted the crucial role journalists play in protecting wildlife. Established in 2023, these awards are the only ones of their kind in Africa, recognizing journalists who demonstrate excellence in conservation reporting. “Journalists have been instrumental in raising awareness about critical issues such as poaching, habitat degradation, and human-wildlife conflict,” said UWA Executive Director Sam Mwandha. Through this initiative, UWA and WildAid aim to inspire more journalists to engage deeply with conservation topics, ensuring stories of Uganda’s wildlife and ecosystems reach a wider audience. By doing so, we hope to raise awareness among the public and policymakers about Uganda’s rich biodiversity and the challenges it faces. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g6KxXp7E

It was my honor and pleasure to deliver a keynote address "Protecting Biodiversity, Protecting Our Future" at the ESG Global Leaders Conference in Shanghai organized by Sina.com along with my WildAid colleague Chong Yu who moderated an insightful panel discussion with corporate sustainability leaders: Jinqing Caroline Cai - President, Kering Greater China, David Bach - President of IMD, Shixian Lai - Co-CEO Anta Group and Vincent BOINAY - L'Oréal President of North Asia and China.

Cameroonian restaurants are stepping up to protect endangered pangolins as part of the “No Pangolin On My Plate” campaign. So far, 116 restaurant owners have committed to not serving pangolin meat, helping to preserve Cameroon’s rich natural heritage. 👏 Campaigners have visited 190 restaurants serving bushmeat, with 37% of those previously offering pangolin meat now pledging to stop. These efforts mark a positive shift in protecting pangolins, one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. Learn more about this impactful initiative and how it’s helping to save pangolins: https://lnkd.in/grg8PEX9

Check out this exciting opportunity to hear from WildAid’s Gregg Casad as he shares insights from our global partnerships, highlighting our work in The Bahamas to boost compliance and enforcement in critical marine areas, including MPAs. Details below! 👇 Special thanks to Blue Nature Alliance and Reef Resilience Network! #ConservationIsATeamSport

Behold the beauty of the leopard shark! ✨ Leopard sharks' distinctive spots help camouflage them as they glide along the ocean floor. As key predators, leopard sharks play a crucial role in maintaining balance in the food chain, and their presence is a strong indicator of a healthy ecosystem, as they're particularly sensitive to environmental changes. Divers and snorkelers regularly encountered leopard sharks around Thailand’s coastal areas 10-20 years ago, but the endangered species is hardly seen today. Overfishing and bycatch (accidental capture in fishing gear) have led to a decline in their population. We’re proud to partner with Ocean Blue Tree on the Spot the Leopard Shark - Thailand project, which encourages people to participate in the conservation of the species by submitting photos of leopard shark sightings in Thai waters. The photos will help identify individual sharks and analyze population trends, biology, and threats, furthering conservation efforts. We’re excited to increase awareness and support for leopard sharks through this important effort! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gxjMg--5 Photo credit: Jake Wilton / Ocean Image Bank

ICYMI: We recently delivered three new, mission-ready patrol boats to local partners in the Philippines, helping them strengthen enforcement of their waters! 🌊 The Philippines is located in the Coral Triangle which is considered Earth's most diverse and biologically complex marine ecosystem. Despite its ecological importance, the area faces threats from unsustainable fishing practices that harm both marine species and local livelihoods. The new patrol boats are critical tools that will help local authorities better protect their waters, safeguarding a vast array of marine life that calls this region home. Together, we can protect our oceans and the communities that depend on them! #ConservationIsATeamSport 🌍