Loggerhead Club & Marina registered all 13 of its Florida locations with the Shark-Free Marina Initiative, which seeks to reduce worldwide shark mortality.
A shark-free marina is one that does not allow caught sharks to be brought into its facility for display or slaughter. The organization works with marinas, fishermen and like-minded non-profit groups to form community-conscious policy and increase awareness of the need to protect sharks.
“As Florida’s largest owner of marinas open to the public, we hope to set a great example for others in the industry,” said Ray Graziotto, president and chief operating officer of Loggerhead Club & Marina, in a statement. “Together with SFMI, we hope to promote a practical solution to shark overfishing and reduce shark mortality.”
Commercial fishing fleets are responsible for between 60 million and 100 million shark deaths a year and many shark species have declined by 90 percent, the marina group said in its release.
Fishermen will not be allowed to bring sharks into a shark-free marina for photographic or trophy display purposes or for cleaning or processing of the shark for fins, meat, jaws or other byproducts.
Click here for the full release.
