In Episode 4, professional freediver María Inês Afonso joins us to discuss her inspiring work with the Saving Our Sharks Foundation. María reveals what motivated her to partner with this dedicated organization and explores how they are advancing shark and ocean conservation. We dive into the foundation’s key projects and celebrate some of their notable successes. Tune in to learn how María’s expertise and the foundation’s efforts are driving meaningful change for our oceans and their incredible inhabitants.

Q. What inspired you to start working with Saving Our Sharks Foundation on shark and ocean conservation?

a. Having the privilege to spend so much time in the ocean and witness its beauty up close, it felt only natural for me to want to demystify sharks' reputation and share their true nature with others. Watching these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat inspired me to spread the word about the vital role they play in our ecosystems and to encourage others to see them in a new light.

Q. How does Saving Our Sharks Foundation contribute to shark conservation, and what are some of your key projects? Any success stories you can share?

a. Saving Our Sharks Foundation protects sharks by supporting fishing cooperatives that are giving up their traditional livelihoods to become the protectors of sharks, by empowering them to transition to ecotourism and citizen science monitoring and vigilance activities. Shark fishermen in the Mexican Caribbean have repurposed 80% of their gear to help rehabilitate these vital shark populations. This effort has saved over 20.000 sharks in 2023 in the Caribbean Mexico, benefiting species that travel to the United States and South America.