Shark-Free Marinas: Protecting our ocean does not carry a pricetag

The Shark-Free Marinas 'Terms of Association' have today been posted. These outline the directives of a prospective 'Shark-Free Marina' and answer questions a marina may have when signing up. They are reposted below to make it easy to forward to a friend or marina manager.

Looking to register your marina as Shark-Free?
The first question is always "What does it cost?", the simple answer is this... Nothing.

The SFMI is designed as a focused, but free, initiative. We believe marinas should not be charged to promote responsible ocean use.  SFM does require that an official SFM sign is displayed (available to print for free here) in a prominent place within the marina grounds, and that you list your marina on this site to promote your own business (listing is also free). We feel this is only fair as your patrons then have the opportunity to visit our website (www.sharkfreemarinas.com) for education and reference purposes, it also tells them about the great job you are doing to protect sharks and our ocean.

Should a marina wish to post signs on their docks we will provide marine grade aluminum signs at our subsidized cost price.

For more information about how you can register a Shark-Free Marina or simply contribute to what SFMI is doing please consult the website at www.sharkfreemarinas.com or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The following constitutes the Shark-Free Marinas: Terms of Association:
For a marina to identify themselves as a "Shark-Free Marina" (SFM) they are informing the general public that they agree to the following Terms of Association.

1.0 Definition of a Shark-Free Marina
A "Shark-Free Marina" is a utility used to dock, service and harbor aquatic vessels of any kind that does not allow it's patrons to land caught sharks for any purpose including (but not limited to):

• Photographic or trophy display purposes
• Cleaning or processing of the shark for fins, meat, jaws, or any other by-product
• Weighing for the purpose of record, trophy or competition

1.1 Exemptions
The entity "Shark-Free Marinas" grants exemptions to it's 'Terms of Association' in regards to landing of shark where one of the following is satisfied:

• The shark is brought in under the council of qualified scientists, marine stock managers or law enforcment / government authorized personnel
• The shark is brought in for research purposes and, where this is the case, there is supporting documentation that state a valid research requirement for harvested shark.
• The shark has been found in a deceased state and has been brought in with permission for the purposes of identification or research. This may be the case with unusual or deep water species.

2.0 Identification of a 'Shark-Free Marina'
An SFM certified 'Shark-Free Marina' agrees to identify itself by the following:

Publicly visible signs:
Official 'Shark-Free Marina' signs must be displayed in a prominent place within the marina grounds. Examples of these locations are within the dock/harbor masters office, attached to the dock structure itself or posted on the entry. The signs must carry the SFM logo and website address (www.sharkfreemarinas.com) to satisfy 'fair notification' rules which state the fishermen must be informed of his/her rights when using the facility.

Registry with the entity 'Shark-Free Marinas':
The marina must register with SFM through the SFM website or by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Cost of registry is 100% free. Official signs are available from the SFM website and are provided at a subsidized cost. We also have provided printable signs free of charge which also constitute 'fair notification'.

The Shark-Free Marina dock signs may not be printed or manufactured by any other organization than Shark-Free Marinas. The SFM logos and signs may be printed in order to comply with the preceding points (2.0). We appreciate your support and insist that a marina registers with us to ensure our terms of association understood.

3.0 Utilities of enforcement
An SFM registered 'Shark-Free Marina' is a self policing entity. We suggest that patrons who are not satisfied with the preceding directives (1 & 2) are asked to change their fishing practices or to take their catch elsewhere. We appreciate that business is important and do not desire to reduce your revenue sources. To that end we have provided education for your patrons and will offer support in the forms of publications, fair media and supporting literature wherever possible and upon request.