Giving sharks a chance

In recent days I received an e-mail from the PROJECT AWARE FOUNDATION, an organization commited to the protection of coral reefs and many marine species that live in its surroundings. They asked me to sign a petition letter in behalf of eight shark species which are in danger of extinction. Since I sincerely believe that this effort should be supported by as many people as possible, here I reproduce the letter in its entirety:

Governments ignored scientific evidence and advice in favor of short-term economic interests at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), March 2010. They failed to give eight threatened shark species the trade protections they deserve.
Each year, tens of millions of sharks are killed by Earth's most dangerous predators - humans. Too many of them fall victim to the cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning - the act of removing shark fins and discarding the often still alive shark overboard.
Despite set-backs, thanks to advocates like you, sharks have received recent, historical national protections in Europe, Maldives and Palau. Together, we will make a difference for these critical species.
Sign the petition, express your outrage at the recent CITES failures. Your signature, together with thousands of divers and advocates worldwide, will demand government parties to CITES heed science and protect fragile ocean ecosystems.
Thanks to your support, together we're giving sharks a fighting chance.
Sincerely,Jenny Miller Garmendia
Director, Project AWARE Foundation

If you want to sign this petition, or want to read more information about this matter or the PROJECT AWARE FOUNDATION, please follow this link: http://www.projectaware.org/givesharksachance