Sharkwatch Cozumel: Protecting Sharks & Reefs in the Mesoamerican  Reef
{"title": "Sharkwatch Cozumel: Protecting Sharks & Reefs in the Mesoamerican  Reef", "logoImg": "bafkreif2tcjrug2xfdhjmvwuezppjnfwxgjz4o6fn2ha2zwrw62i2v6mxa", "website": "https://www.marsustentable.org/", "bannerImg": "bafkreien5qc6eazm7prgxau4yxylgwsst2iq64crczvkhzoj2ijxr5tlqi", "createdAt": 1739898463456, "credentials": {"twitter": {"type": ["VerifiableCredential"], "proof": {"jws": "eyJhbGciOiJFZERTQSIsImNyaXQiOlsiYjY0Il0sImI2NCI6ZmFsc2V9..Z-FB3FIbBkiwzRT5Vx4XduSMaAZ0KwCVgUmqC2HtGjzp2_M_y-QCqtFBzeagVZqlwz_DkNwuBGkqCJANagaUBA", "type": "Ed25519Signature2018", "created": "2025-02-18T17:01:01.258Z", "proofPurpose": "assertionMethod", "verificationMethod": "did:key:z6MkghvGHLobLEdj1bgRLhS4LPGJAvbMA1tn2zcRyqmYU5LC#z6MkghvGHLobLEdj1bgRLhS4LPGJAvbMA1tn2zcRyqmYU5LC"}, "issuer": "did:key:z6MkghvGHLobLEdj1bgRLhS4LPGJAvbMA1tn2zcRyqmYU5LC", "@context": ["https://www.w3.org/2018/credentials/v1"], "issuanceDate": "2025-02-18T17:01:01.258Z", "expirationDate": "2025-05-19T17:01:01.258Z", "credentialSubject": {"id": "did:pkh:eip155:1:0x80F15837497b7Ed3a710988b6Eb378832FcB2A4A", "hash": "v0.0.0:+iJIyFaOQpvYtzOC+AuO+eBuRGHegTdn5NZwq8HXl28=", "@context": [{"hash": "https://schema.org/Text", "provider": "https://schema.org/Text"}], "provider": "ClearTextTwitter#MarSustentable"}}}, "description": "Summary\nCozumel, a global tourist hotspot, is home to vibrant coral reefs that are vital to both marine biodiversity and the local economy. However, rapid tourism expansion and human activities threaten its marine ecosystems, including shark populations. Sharkwatch Cozumel is an interdisciplinary initiative that integrates Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) from fishers and divers, field observations, and geospatial tools to document sharks and their habitats.\nSince 2022, we've recorded over 600 shark sightings, identified nursery areas, and engaged over 7,000 people in marine conservation. Through research, education, and advocacy, we are fostering community awareness, collaborating with authorities, and working to protect sharks and their critical habitats in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.\nWith your support, we can expand our impact, safeguard shark nursery sites, enhance environmental education, and drive local conservation policies. Together, we can ensure a future where Cozumel’s sharks thrive, and its people are active stewards of the ocean.\nMain Activities\nExploration – Discover and document new shark habitats in Cozumel’s coastal and oceanic waters.\nConservation – Identify and advocate for the protection of shark nursery sites.\nEducation – Develop environmental education programs that empower local youth and communities.\nAdvocacy – Work with policymakers to integrate human perspectives into shark conservation efforts.\nCollaboration – Strengthen partnerships with stakeholders, marine conservation groups, and education authorities.\nWhy Support Us?\nYour contribution directly supports scientific research, environmental education, and community engagement, helping us protect Cozumel’s sharks and marine ecosystems for future generations. Join us in safeguarding the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef—one of the most important marine biodiversity hotspots on Earth!\nGoogle drive images: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/101-RfzE1yIeqm4QEbgNu2nbz1Zyp33Rs\n\n![Alt Text](https://scontent-mia3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/475057258_1174062331385710_796592298792333549_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=JJE9z2piESAQ7kNvgEi6SEP&_nc_oc=AdiPfwazUIgXxdPVRcVipQGcRFtUEnlzTvsMVIQrVhnen_th3A8Dq4v7l_cipcs8UeU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-3.xx&_nc_gid=AIAfCugixgDJcaidXxSKea9&oh=00_AYDDufDuEOHqeU65pB614fXvrpkaorBvCcmqvbRNx9_Ftg&oe=67BA8303)\n\nBehind the scenes of our underwater research\n\n\n![Alt Text](https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/475260530_1174062398052370_3051123009180051111_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=NpKX620qtUkQ7kNvgGJTNs9&_nc_oc=Adj5Sw4kz3wXnUUWf8ZInD5Ky1TwTtXMvFuu9a67MaJzG8uQHutwFxwFmKZ4KgJ5RE0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AgyH4rTQ3DoxVwQ_faAQcjM&oh=00_AYDmFxSZwzMlj6WbBQTlWvx0d9UU93QY34foQLFIsI5YdA&oe=67BAA6EF)\n\nA young nurse shark underwater.\n\n\n![Alt Text](https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/475746426_1178005800991363_8597460879040483006_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=-othHTgRJ4gQ7kNvgHFH3lR&_nc_oc=AdhJGdpc_NTQqQlRL2IDhVWns6mM6H8uY_0fmL_fpYCddqzp2YTf9gmbWmHZUb1eTbw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AjijSJgt4rVRRDX_gOrNpRj&oh=00_AYA0QlUI4BezhS-ZxKDo57I_LvfgEGz3mLIR699H5NQzgQ&oe=67BAA3E0)\n\nOur work was recently on the news reaching an audience of 150,000 people.\n\n![Alt Text](https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/470012151_1137541075037836_4272976501906968633_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=zxwm9wPwUvwQ7kNvgE2aScQ&_nc_oc=AdgSpusi83_C59grVbiwL6AiJFNu8thzA56sBlePC-1joOZTuLOftAHWZLDIGO2IJTY&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AuyZ1NYOXoAmomSdPqTETEx&oh=00_AYBpYDj9S3mBHur4k5RUIlYeg8Tfde4YQpkK-1vJa_nUKw&oe=67BAAA40)\n\nBehind the scenes of our fishers interviews.\n\n\n\nHelp Fund Shark Conservation & Education in Cozumel!\nYour support fuels science, education, and community engagement to protect sharks in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Here’s how your contribution will be allocated:\n40% – Underwater Exploration & Scientific Research\n•\tConduct shark surveys and habitat assessments.\n•\tIdentify and document critical shark nursery sites.\n40% – Education & Community Outreach\n•\tOrganize hands-on education events for kids & teens to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards.\n•\tHost science communication talks & workshops at planetariums, libraries, and museums, connecting communities with marine conservation.\n•\tExpand environmental education efforts to tourism stakeholders & visitors, promoting sustainable tourism practices.\n15% – Environmental Education Materials\n•\tCreate a children's book about sharks, fostering ocean awareness from an early age.\n•\tDevelop an interactive shark memory game to make learning about marine life fun and engaging.\nEvery donation directly impacts shark conservation, education, and local community engagement in Cozumel! \n\nSocial Media\n•  TikTok and Instagram: @marsustentable1\nFacebook: Mar Sustentable\n\n[@marsustentable1 TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@marsustentable1?lang=en)\n\n[@marsustentable1 Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/marsustentable1/)\n\n[@MarSustentable Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/marsustentable)\n", "logoImgData": {}, "bannerImgData": {}, "projectTwitter": "MarSustentable"}