About Fintastic Friday
WhaleTimes created Fintastic Friday in 2011. The intention was "Giving Sharks, Skates, and Rays a Voice to help raise awareness and encourage advocacy to protect elasmobranchs."
Everyone needs a special day, especially the often demonized, misunderstood and underappreciated shark. Fintastic Friday celebrates sharks and encourages kids to find ways to change public opinion from hatred to love and from fear to appreciation. Sharks need our help. People kill as many as 100 million sharks a year. Populations are dropping at catastrophic rates. WhaleTimes is confident kids can change the tide for sharks in a positive way. Throughout the world, kids celebrate Fintastic Friday in all kinds of ways, such as making their home a shark conservation zone or having a "Sharks in the Park" rally.
It is observed on the second Friday of May.
WhaleTimes director Ruth Musgrave got the idea for the day when she was writing the book Everything Sharks. She thought the view of sharks should be updated, as their survival was essential for the survival of all ocean species. Ruth believed they needed a new voice and that kids could be that voice.
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