Sara missed school today because the organization, Shark Savers, requested that Sara attend the final meeting of the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission which was held today in Key Largo. Up for decision making to Florida’s Law was the following:

4. Sharks - The proposed rule would prohibit the recreational and commercial harvest of great, scalloped and smooth hammerhead sharks, and tiger sharks from state waters of Florida. The proposed rule amendments would modify the Commission's rule for sharks as follows: (Sharks Presentation)

a. 68B-44.002 Definitions - The proposed draft rule would remove great, scalloped, and smooth hammerhead sharks, and tiger sharks from the definition of large coastal species that can be harvested in state waters of Florida.

b. 68B-44.008 Prohibited Species; Prohibition of Harvest, Landing, and Sale - The proposed draft rule would prohibit the recreational and commercial harvest of great, scalloped and smooth hammerhead sharks, and tiger sharks from state waters of Florida.

Sara was the youngest speaker there and after speaking in front of over 100 people that were in attendance there, and turning in the over 300 signatures she had collected for the petition in favor of the proposal to the commission members, Sara later told us that she was nervous and shaking but she was so happy she did it. After all speakers had finished, the commission unanimously voted to accept the proposal, which is a HUGE win for the world and for sharks here in Florida waters. Scientist predict that if we do not step in and help the current state of sharks being killed that the oceans will collapse in 2048.  Many people came up to Sara after the meeting was over and congratulated her for speaking in front of the commission and for the work that she does. She was invited to go on a complimentary tour to see sharks with Captain Ken Harris of Key West Extreme Adventures, a fellow “shark whisperer” and she was also invited by one of Dr. Neil Hammerschlag’s (of University of Miami Shark Biology Research program) to spend a weekend with their research facility in the Keys and to go out on the boats to do research with them on the sharks. Sara also met with a representative of Dr. Guy Harvey’s Ocean Conservation foundation and also several reporters.

I cannot even begin to tell you how proud and happy I am of my daughter and I wanted to share it with you all. This is an amazing victory for Florida and I hope that other states follow in Florida’s steps.

Positively Yours,

Dori Mirkow

Goddess Sanctuary Spa

www.GoddessSanctuary.com

954-242-6356