HOW DO WE SUPPORT THEM?
Why Sharks Matter: The Ecological Consequences of Their Decline
As Bite-Back emphasizes, "Sharks are vital to life on Earth. If sharks die, we die."
This powerful slogan raises awareness about the essential role of sharks as apex predators in maintaining the balance of the ocean ecosystem, a role often misunderstood since the release of Jaws, which instilled widespread fear and misperception of sharks.
Declining shark populations lead to an increase in prey species, disrupting the marine food chain and threatening the overall health of ocean ecosystems. Such imbalances can even contribute to higher CO2 emissions, with global consequences for life on Earth.
Supporting Bite-Back’s Conservation Efforts Through Funding and Visibility
This message, along with Bite-Back's awareness campaigns and advocacy across the seafood supply chain, deeply resonates with the Indigo Earth Foundation, which supports the charity through financial contributions and by amplifying its campaign messages.
WHO ARE THEY?
Bite-Back: A UK Charity Leading Shark and Marine Conservation
Founded in 2004, Bite-Back is a UK charity dedicated to the protection of sharks and the wider marine environment. The organisation works to reduce over-fishing and over-consumption of wild sea fish by driving change in consumer behaviour, retail policy and public understanding.
Changing Public Perception Through Awareness Campaigns
Bite-Back campaigns to make Britain’s retailers and restaurants shark-free by removing shark products, including but not limited to shark fin soup and shark steaks, from mainstream supply chains.
The charity has successfully persuaded UK supermarkets to stop selling shark steaks and has convinced numerous restaurants to remove shark fin soup from their menus. These market-led victories demonstrate the organisation’s ability to translate public pressure into tangible commercial change.
Bite-Back also addresses by-catch in tuna fisheries, promoting pole-and-line fishing methods and encouraging consumers to make informed purchasing decisions in supermarkets.
Key initiatives have included the “No Fin To Declare” campaign, targeting the personal importation of shark fins into Europe, and high-profile billboard campaigns that secured significant national visibility.
Educating the Next Generation
Education remains central to Bite-Back’s work. The organisation delivers structured sessions to primary-school children aged seven to eight, supported by a comprehensive 56-page educational resource.
These programmes aim to share knowledge, challenge misconceptions and raise awareness of sharks’ ecological importance from a young age, particularly among children who may have limited direct connection to the sea.
Alongside school engagement, Bite-Back maintains an active media and social media presence, publishing regular content to reshape public perception and promote accurate reporting on sharks.
Replacing Fear With Facts in Shark Conservation
The charity has received support and visibility through well-known figures and national media. Campaigns have been amplified by public advocates.
Through sustained campaigning over two decades, Bite-Back has helped shift the conversation from fear and misunderstanding towards conservation, responsibility and measurable impact.
Bite-Back Shark
Sharks are vital to healthy oceans.
We support Bite-Back Shark Conservation in their mission to end shark finning and unsustainable fishing. By raising awareness, educating the next-generation, lobbying for policy change, and working with businesses, Bite-Back helps ensure sharks continue to play their crucial role in maintaining marine balance.
