“A rare gift to the oceans and the world. There was no one like Rob and his loss is profound. He has inspired a whole generation of young people, many of whom will go on and amplify Rob’s work. I’ve always said, no movement should be utterly dependent on one or two individuals, but of course it takes one or two charismatic individuals to start a movement in the first place, and Rob was it.” – DAVID SUZUKI
Rob Stewart Dec 28 1979 – Jan 31 2017
Biologist, Activist, Author, Filmmaker
Rob Stewart taught the world not to fear sharks, but to love them as he did. His films — Sharkwater, Revolution and Sharkwater Extinction—are global award-winners that have brought positive change for the oceans and sharks. Sharkwater inspired countries to ban shark finning. Hundreds of shark conservation groups were created. Shark fin soup has been banned at numerous restaurants and theme parks and the Chinese government no longer serves it at their banquets.
Revolution was the first feature film to alert the world to the catastrophic effects of Ocean Acidification from carbon emissions caused by burning fossil fuels.
Sharkwater Extinction launched the Shark Free movement. 150 million sharks continue to be killed each year, and not just for shark fin soup. Sharks are now in products for human consumption, including cosmetics. Footage from the film led the California Drift Net Ban.
Rob, we will miss you forever, but your mission continues through all of us.
ROB STEWART DEC 28 1979 – JAN 31 2017
Today we remember Rob Stewart, founder of United Conservationists and the Fin Free movement. We are so grateful for the work you did in your lifetime in saving sharks and the oceans—and teaching us to live in harmony with nature.
We promise your work and your mission continues through all of us. United Conservationists and its Fin Free movement that you created have remained active, and we have also founded the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation.
Together we created the “Save Sharks” PSAs seen by over 2 million people. Other successes include:
· Canada has banned the shark fin trade
· Florida and New Jersey have banned the shark fin trade
· California has banned drift nets
· CITES has added protections for Makos
· The US Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act passed the House a year ago, and we continue to fight for its final vote in the Senate
We’ve presented your film and message to the United Nations and European Commission as well countries around the world including the UK, Russia, China, Hong Kong, South America, Central America, US, Middle East and Africa. Educational materials are available free across the world and your films are available in translated languages, free for educational use.
You were right—people will do the right thing, when they understand the issues.
The Sharkwater vessel continues to patrol and research the eastern Pacific, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas and provide a filming platform for new shows and films that will provide more shark awareness and more impact. Millions more square miles of marine protected areas have been created or added since Sharkwater, and more since your death.
We cannot thank you enough for your impact and never-ending drive to save sharks, the oceans and all of us.
We will miss you forever and your mission continues through all of us.
Revolution is a feature documentary about opening your eyes, changing the world and fighting for something. A true life adventure following director Rob Stewart in the follow up to his hit Sharkwater, Revolution is an epic adventure into the evolution of life on earth and the revolution to save us.
Discovering that there’s more in jeopardy than sharks, Stewart uncovers a grave secret threatening our own survival as a species, and embarks on a life-threatening adventure through 4 years and 15 countries into the greatest battle ever waged.
Bringing you some of the most incredible wildlife spectacles ever recorded, audiences are brought face to face with sharks and cuddly lemurs, into the microscopic world of the pygmy seahorse, and on the hunt with the deadly flamboyant cuttlefish. From the coral reefs in Papua New Guinea to the rain forests in Madagascar, Stewart reveals that our fate is tied to even the smallest of creatures.
Through it all, Stewart’s journey reveals a massive opportunity, as activists and individuals all over the world are winning the battle to save the ecosystems we depend on for survival. Presenting the most important information on human survival and inspiring people all over the world to fight for life, Revolution is essential viewing for everyone. Startling, beautiful, and provocative, Revolution inspires audiences across the globe to join the biggest movement in history that’s rising to the challenge of saving our world.
Revolution premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has already gone on to win ten awards, including the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Atlantic Film Festival, Most Popular Environmental Film Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Victoria Film Festival and the Social Justice Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Now it’s your turn change the tide for sharks. #finfree.
Seven year old Luke takes the stand to testify for a Fin Free Toronto to ban the possession, sale and consumption of shark fin products in Toronto.
Take the Fin Free Pledge and make your community Fin Free!
Go to fin-free.com and begin your journey to save sharks!
Sharks are in deep trouble, but it’s not too late to save them. Sharkwater filmmaker Rob Stewart describes the plight facing sharks, and how joining the Fin Free movement will turn the tides for our oceans.
United Conservationists is a different kind of conservation group. We believe in you, in humanity, and the fact that we are all inherently good deep down inside.
Meet the filmmaker behind the phenomenal movies Sharkwater and Revolution, and hear a tale of his shark adventures!
Catch Daily Planet Shark Week from August 11th to August 15th at 7pm ET on Discovery Canada.
Empowering the youth for change. #finfree
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands enacted the world’s second shark fin ban on January 27, 2011 – and Sharkwater inspired it!
Fin Free Saipan tells the story of Kathy Pagapular’s sixth grade class at San Vicente Elementary School and how a class project led to the world’s second shark fin ban. The video features interviews with Kathy and the students, as well as Rep. Benavente and Beautify CNMI’s Cinta Kaipat.
Discovery Channel and partner LUSH Cosmetics air a Fin Free PSA featuring United Conservationist Rob Stewart of Sharkwater.
Watch the 30-second commercial on Discovery: