A new grassroots community has launched along the Gulf Coast to build awareness and spark conversation about the region’s most mysterious and misunderstood ocean predator: the great white shark. The Gulf Great White Shark Society brings together shark lovers to shine a light on these apex predators through media outreach, public events, and youth mentorship.
The Gulf Great White Shark Society is now officially live!
Founded by award-winning wildlife journalist Chester Moore is a public awareness movement powered by passion and purpose.
“This is about highlighting the return of great white sharks in the Gulf and connecting people, especially young people, to the importance of them and other large sharks to the Gulf’s ecosystem,” Moore said.
“Through media, youth mentorship, and community events, we want to inspire awe and respect for these animals.”
Even before its official launch, the Society has earned statewide recognition: its website, www.gulfgreatwhites.com, was recently named “Best Outdoors Website” by the Texas Outdoor Writers Association.
Moore and his wife Lisa are founders of the Wild Wishes® and Higher Calling Wildlife® programs that have the mission of instilling hope in hurting children through wildlife encounters-working with the critically ill, kids in foster and even trafficking victims.
“This will help us increase our work with the hurting kids out there who love sharks. We’ve been doing things like catch-and-release shark fishing expeditions and cage diving at the Texas State Aquarium as well as working with young people from Texas to Florida and even Washington on working with them in giving them a chance to write and use artwork to raise awareness of sharks. That is now going to the next level,” Moore said.
The society was officially announced at the Great White Sharks in the Gulf event at the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur, TX last weekend on the 50th anniversary of Jaws.. The official premiere of the documentary Gulf Great White Sharks: Return of an Icon was a big hit and it will make its online debut on the eve of Shark Week July 19.
Three Gulf Great White Shark Society awards were given out.
The Gulf Great White Shark Society Youth Award went to Ericashea Borel for her advocacy of sharks.
The $500 Gulf Great White Shark Society scholarship went to Marina Wilson of who is beginning her second year of college in marine sciences.
Fortune Ford won grassroots award for her pioneering work getting a major local fishing tournament to go catch-and-release only for sharks and for her volunteerism for sharks and ocean wildlife.
This blog is the official web presence of the Gulf Great White Shark Society. Subscribe and become a member-for FREE! You will get blog updates and periodic emails on how you can help raise awareness of great whites and other large sharks in the Gulf as well as connect to our in-person events and help us help shark loving kids facing special challenges.
Follow the Gulf Great White Shark Society on Instagram @gulfgreatwhitesharksociety
The Persecution of of Sharks Featured on Dark Outdoors®
The latest episode of Dark Outdoors® dives into real-life great white shark attacks that fueled the public’s fear and expose how Steven Spielberg’s cinematic masterpiece led to decades of misinformation on sharks but at the same time got people interested in great whites.
From behind-the-scenes chaos and mechanical monsters to misunderstood predators, this is the untold story of fear, fiction, and fallout-with a call for conservation.
Listen to a unique episode of Dark Outdoors on the real story behind Jaws that you have never heard.
Listen and subscribe to this episode here on your favorite podcast platforms.
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