In memory of Rob Stewart, Cineplex will be hosting screenings of 'Sharkwater' all across Canada. Bring a friend, and a donation to honour the man who inspired a movement, a change in perspective, and countless people.
"Free tickets for the Feb. 25 screening will be available at the box office of participating theatres in exchange for a donation to WWF-Canada, with all funds to be directed toward continuing the work of the late Toronto conservationist." - CBC's Lauren La Rose
For information on participating theatres and showtimes, please visit cineplex.com
Celebrate the life and cherish the memories of
Rob Stewart
A funeral service for all who loved Rob will be held at
Bloor Street United Church
on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 1:00 pm
(300 Bloor Street West, Toronto, M9B 6B7).
Kids welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to continue Rob's work to save our sharks and oceans at www.sharkwater.com (through the World Wildlife Fund).
Thank you to all those who worked tirelessly in the search for Rob Stewart, and thank you to all who pledged their continued support through kind thoughts and words. The search was not easy, it is only with the overwhelming help we received from all corners of the globe that we were able to find him. We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Rob; he was a man unparalleled in his passion and in his dedication to the ocean, and an inspiration to all.
The incredible level of support we received exhibited how much Rob touched us all. Forever in our hearts and minds, Rob will lead us forward with his vision for a better world. He wanted us all to work together to make the world a better place for sharks, and for each other. And together we are going to do just that. We will not stop fighting for the protection of our sharks, our oceans, and our world.
“Fighting for a brighter future is the best thing you can do for your health, happiness, and well-being.” -Rob Stewart
Our friend Rob Stewart/ Robbie Stewart has gone missing off the coast of Islamorada Florida. He left in a dive boat from Caloosa Cove, dove at the Queen of Nassau Wreck Coordinates: 24.9243° ; -80.6278° and was last seen at the surface of the water at 5pm January 31st. Authorities are doing all they can to search but we need anyone with access to a boat / dive gear to help search.
*Needed two boat operators with experience for this night in florida keys!!!!*
Contact Regi / Alexandra
Whatsapp: +34 691 559 656
Skype name: Regi Sunday Nakawe
Or email regisunday@gmail.com or alexandrastewart@gmail.com
URGENT: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TODAY (FRIDAY) BEFORE 6:30 PM
IF YOU WANT TO GET ON A BOAT, GO TO POSTCARD INN MARINA AND CALL SHELBY AT 786-393-2677
o 84001 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036 +1 305-664-2321
IF YOU WANT TO WALK, PLEASE WALK THE SHORELINE HERE:
o The main search area is Lower Matecumbe, Long Cay and the southern half of Upper Matecumbe.
o The whole search area is Tabernier to Marathon.
IF YOU HAVE A BOAT AND ARE AN EXPERIENCED CAPTAIN AND WANT TO SEARCH,
COME TO THE SEARCH AREA AND CALL SHELBY AT 786-393-2677
o Corner Point #1: 24-21.344N 080-53.619W
o Corner Point #2: 24-36.609N 081-04.121W
o Corner Point #3: 25-06.656N 080-11.181W
o Corner Point #4: 24-51.391N 080-00.679W
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR:
– Full length black scuba suit
– 2 White carbon fiber small air tanks alongside his torso
– Green and red reef camo fins
– Black mask
– Black rebreather (like a padded vest) with steel grey frame: this means he’s not wearing a traditional silver oxygen tank
Tomorrow daylight search will continue. Volunteers still desperately needed. The Coast Guard needs help. Rob needs your help.
Donations for the Search & Rescue Efforts
Any assistance is appreciated – please visit the GoFundMe Campaign to donate. Please donate & share.
Update Feb 2 2017:
Air support with any sort of night gear/capabilities desperately needed to assist with search tonight. Contact Will Allen if available NOW – 1.514.241.1234
Canadian filmmaker Rob Stewart, 37, has gone missing during a dive off the coast of Florida. The Coast Guard received a call at 5:13 p.m. from the boat Pisces, to say that Stewart had gone missing near Islamorada in the Florida Keys, according to Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer Eric Woodall.
The Coast Guard reported early this morning that the U.S. Navy, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office were all searching in the search.
Coast Guard Senior Chief Nyx Cangemi says crews have not stopped looking since they were called yesterday afternoon. “As long as there’s a chance of survival, we’re going to search,” Cangemi said in an interview. “We remain hopeful that we’ll be able to find him alive.”
Jeremy Weaver, senior chief of the U.S. Coast Guard, told CBC Toronto Stewart was “diving on a wreck off of Islamorada” with three other divers when he went missing, but the three are safe.
He added that Stewart “resurfaced at the end of the dive, and as the boat was turning around to pick him up, he went back under — and was not seen again.”
Stewart’s sister, Alexandra Stewart, told CBC Toronto this morning: “We’re in the critical window of daylight right after he’s gone missing where, if we’re going to find him on the surface — where we’d like to find him — it’s going to be today.”
We are happy to officially announce Julie Andersen as our next Live Stream special guest!
The Live Stream will be at 7:00pm EST on Tuesday November 29th on the @finfree Facebook Page. We will be hosting a special Google Hangout with Julie after the Live Stream with all donors! They will have a chance to speak with Julie one-on-one and and ask her any questions live through video chat!
Diving from a young age, Julie is a lifelong shark lover and has 'come from a family of mermaids'. She is the founder of Shark Angels, Shark Savers and United Conservationists, and worked with Rob Stewart to create the #FinFree movement.
"I have always been drawn to the shark’s watery world. Their stunning grace, power and undeniable presence have mesmerized me since we first met. Breathlessly gazing into the eyes of the animal I was taught to fear, I saw life – not a cold, cruel stare. These fascinating creatures exemplify all that is beautiful and perfect on this planet. The extraordinary power of nature. A vital reminder of what we must respect and protect."
Her dedication to protecting the sharks has led her to become one of the most incredible and inspiring grassroots activists.
To join the Live Stream, log onto the FinFree Facebook Page at 7:00pm EST on Tuesday, November 29. We will provide a link to the Chat on our Facebook page.
For a chance to join the Google Hangout with Julie Andersen, Donate Now.
Save the date: Thursday, September 22, 2016 - 7:00pm EST
We will be hosting live video chats through Facebook Live and through Google Hangouts! Rob will be available to answer all of your questions on Facebook live at 7:00pm sharp, and the live streaming comments will allow you to ask him anything instantly!
Donors will have exclusive access to the Google Hangouts conversation, where you can video chat with Rob one-on-one!
How to join the Facebook Live conversation:
1. On Thursday, September 22nd log onto Facebook at 7:00pm,
2. Go to the Fin Free Facebook page,
3. Locate the live stream on the feed comment your questions!
How to join the Google Hangouts:
The Google Hangout will begin at 7:45pm EST on Thursday, September 22nd, 2016.
Exclusive access will be given to donors to chat with Rob one-on-one, donate now to participate! We will be providing donors with the url used to access the live chat on September 22nd. All you have to do is click on the url you are provided, login with your Google account, and you will be added to the conversation!
Don't have a Google account set up yet? Click here to sign up.
We can't wait to see you at the hangout!
The marine conservationist organization Oceana has recently released a study indicating 8 out of 10 Americans support the nationwide ban of shark fin trading. This has come after the creation of the bipartisan Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act, which would make the trade of fins illegal on US soil. The study polled 1,000 Americans online between July 12-15, 2016. Primarily discovered was the overwhelming agreement of Americans in the belief that shark finning is a cruel and wasteful practice. Shark finning is currently banned in US waters, but the trade of those same fins will remain legal until the Act is passed.
Oceana campaign director, Laura Snyder explains, "The demand for shark fins, a demand the U.S. currently perpetuates, encourages the cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning and is decimating shark populations worldwide, much like the demand for elephant tusks and rhino horns has severely jeopardized those animal populations. Currently, 11 U.S. states have taken action to protect sharks and have banned the sale of fins, but the rest of the country needs to follow their example. The American public knows that shark fins have no place in the United States.”
It is hoped that the release of this study will push Congress to pass the Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act. As many as 73 million sharks per year are finned, and at this rate, the magnificent creature may only have a few years before it's total extinction. The fins are largely used for the Asian delicacy shark fin soup, where the shredded fins are added only for their texture. As the demand for this luxury dish continues, the sharks remain in danger.
Making a positive change to protect the sharks begins with the public awareness of the problem. This study shows that the first step of protection is being made, but we still have a long way to go. Sign the petition created to push Congress to ban the trade of shark fins.
For more information on the study and for the full press release, visit Oceana.
View the video on the ban of shark fins here.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on all things #FinFree.
Malibu, California (Friday, July 22 2016)
Teaming up with Pretoma in Costa Rica, United Conservationists embarks on a campaign to help stop the consumption of shark fins and end illegal shark finning. Through three dedicated initiatives we donated $30,000 to help fund drone operators in the Cocos Islands, drones were donated by Precision Drone to help deliver the evidence we needed to expose illegal shark finishing. Not only were we able to help use this footage to catch illegal shark finishing but we also managed to capture some amazing footage for the Sharkwater 2; Final Extinction project.
From the funding we also helped to support "Say No to Eating Shark." Pretoma's project focuses on protecting Hammerhead sharks in Costa Rican waters through a number of activities including advocacy and policy work. Reaching the general public with the conservation message would help generate some debate and publicity for an iconic species and an urgent issue.
We also helped to send the leading shark fin identification experts in South America to help identify illegal fins moving through Panama along with run clinics for local enforcement to help educate them on the identification process. This helps us identify more illegal finning and which species of sharks are also the most at risk.
Toronto, Ontario (July 15th, 2016)
We are extremely happy to announce an amazing initiative to help the cosmetic industry to rid themselves of shark based squalene, a very common ingredient found in the majority of cosmetics whether olive oil or animal based. In the largest lab study completed to date on 80 different cosmetic products we've identified some brands which may contain shark based squalene. In conjunction with Bloom France we've tested over 80 cosmetics found in North America. The study has been completed at the University of Victoria Labs in Victoria BC. Testing will also be completed in Florida to verify our results and findings. We hope to release the results of our study at The Toronto International Film festival in September of 2017 along with the release of Sharkwater 2.
Follow us on Twitter or Facebook for updates on this excited initiative. Follow the hash tag #sharkfree.
Washington, DC (June, 24 2016)
On Thursday morning, award-winning actor and longtime Oceana advocate Morgan Freeman joined Oceana and members of Congress to announce the introduction of a new bill to ban the trade of shark fins in the United States.
In 2000 and again in 2010, Congress addressed the issue of shark finning in U.S. waters with the Shark Finning Prohibition Act (SFPA) and Shark Conservation Act (SCA), ultimately making it illegal to remove any fins from a shark at sea, transfer any fin from one vessel to another vessel, or land any fin that is not naturally attached to the corresponding carcass.
The United States took an important step towards reducing the shark fin trade worldwide. Oceana applauds the leadership of the bill’s supporters in helping to end the shark fin trade in the United States.
For more information on the Oceana Bill please see their Press Release