Sharks and rays are an essential part of a marine ecosystem. MarAlliance works to conserve sharks and rays throughout the Americas, as well as in Micronesia—a small group of islands in the western Pacific Ocean—and Cabo Verde, Africa.
Despite their intimidating reputations, sharks have far more to fear from us than we do from them. Sharks and rays—who are in the same class of fish—are vulnerable to human induced threats like pollution, climate change, and overfishing. After surviving for 400 million years on this planet, sharks and rays are now in serious trouble. Sharks and rays are an essential part of a marine ecosystem, their disappearance endangers the oceans.
MarAlliance works to conserve sharks and rays throughout the Americas, as well as in Micronesia—a small group of islands in the western Pacific Ocean—and Cabo Verde, Africa. Scientific research to support fisheries management and conservation efforts as well as training local communities—from students to fishers—about marine wildlife are at the heart of MarAlliance’s work.
Protect Sharks & Rays
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Sharks & Rays:
MarAlliance
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9,911+
Individuals Educated
in 2025 across MesoAmerica through MarAlliance’s trainings, educational awareness campaigns, community discussions, forums, surveys, workshops, and other initiatives to engage the public.
10+
Years
MarAlliance celebrated their 10 year anniversary in 2024, recognizing their steadfast dedication to rewilding the oceans with endangered marine megafauna, in collaboration with local communities.
80+
Fishers and Local Artisans
Partnered to link science, livelihoods, and stewardship in support of sawfish conservation across Cuba, Belize, Honduras, and Panama.
Solutions in Action
Thriving Nature & Wildlife
Baselines & Long Term Monitoring
MarAlliance conducts research on sharks, rays, deep-sea fish, and fisheries in the Meso-American Region on a regular basis to identify where overfishing may be upsetting the delicate balance of the tropical marine ecosystem. Their wildlife monitoring efforts, along with social science surveys, help shape conservation strategies.
Thriving People
Children of the Sea
To encourage children to be fearless champions of marine wildlife, MarAlliance created the Children of the Sea program. It introduces students to sharks and rays through classroom and field experiences to understand the animal’s importance for the ecosystem while dispelling fears they might have. In Honduras, MarAlliance also reaches the wider public with educational workshops at the National Identity Museum.
Thriving Nature & Wildlife
Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries
MarAlliance is a member of the The Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries in Belize, advocating for reduction of equipment that harms marine wildlife and decimates fisheries. In 2020, with MarAlliance’s support, the Belize Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development, signed into law a statute banning the use and possession of gillnets in the marine waters of Belize.
Quote“The canaries in the coal mine for how our reefs are actually doing are the large marine wildlife, like sharks and rays.”
Dr. Rachel Graham, Executive Director MarAlliance
