Over the years, I have had the pleasure to get to know many people involved in Shark Conservation. The majority of these are members of other large organizations or are people directly involved with sharks. There are also a handful of individuals that have achieved amazing results and are contributing on a large scale to help promote the true image of sharks and fight for their conservation and protection.

Amongst these amazing people is one New York school teacher whose work with some special children took an unexpected turn the day, she decided to read a book to her students. This here is the story of "The Shark Finatics".

Located in Brewster, New York, is Green Chimneys, a school for very special children. Green Chimneys is world renowned for its animal-assisted therapy and for restoring hope to emotionally injured children. The staff at this school strives to develop a harmonious relationship between people, animals, plants, nature and the environment through an array of educational, recreational, vocational and mental health services.

Robin Culler is a teacher that has worked for nearly a decade in the speech and language department. She is no shark expert, in fact she told me, "I knew nothing about sharks. I had seen "Jaws" and even though I had grown up loving the beach and ocean, I was now hesitant of going in the water. It didn't stop me though, and my love of being at the beach and anything ocean-related continued."

In December 2006, Robin came across a children's book entitled "Hungry, Hungry Sharks", and decided to read it to her Students. The kids got so intrigued with this book that they started asking all sorts of questions about sharks to their teacher. Robin did not realize that she and her students were about to embark on a journey that would change their life.

"I had to start doing research to find answers to the questions the kids were asking. Unknown answers to one of this planet’s most extraordinary creatures led to hours of research. We delved into many websites and started gathering books. The more we learned, the more we wanted to do to help protect and conserve our sharks as well as educate others of their plight. The children grew deeply compassionate for their sharks, perhaps because they could relate to their struggles to survive. They were horrified at the brutality of finning and vowed to teach as many people as they could about this cruel practice."

Robin then thought that perhaps they could "adopt a shark", so they decided to have a little fundraiser for the staff at the school and sold shark magnets that the kids themselves made and other sharky and ocean related trinkets. This resulted in enough funds to adopt "Jonny", a Great White from the Fox Shark Research in Australia.

Seeing their total devotion to the issue, the school asked Robin and her students to have a shark table at a couple of their big fundraising events. They started talking sharks to many, many people and through various projects, they had been able to raise over $1,500 that has been donated to shark research and conservation organizations around the world and adopted a total of 11 sharks by the end of 2007!! By June 2008 the kids become the adoptive parents to a total of 13 sharks. More importantly, they have been able to reach out to many hundreds of people who did not know of the almost certain fate facing sharks if we do not take action now to protect them. The children have written letters to Congressmen urging them to support legislature for sharks and have even written to Mattel Toy Company in protest of a toy that encourages the harpooning of a toy shark.

Robin has named her very special group the “Shark Finatics!” and their motto is “Learning, Teaching, Saving.” There are about 18 Finatics at the present with a few alumni who have moved on. What makes Robin's achievement more of an amazing task, is the fact that it has been a 1:1 venture for the most part.

"I work with the kids individually for my speech sessions. We don't get the opportunity to all be together very much, unless it is for fundraising or for special events. We took a trip to the Aquarium, the first off-grounds trip for the speech department ever at the school! They are all extremely proud of their status as Shark Finatics and are the envy of many others at the school".

The Shark Finatics have since appeared on numerous websites, been featured in newsletters and magazines, been named “Shark Ambassadors” and have made friends and supporters from all around the world who applaud their endeavors.

The Finatics have even compiled a book entitled “Our Shark Story” that has been printed and is available for purchase. Their passion and love for sharks will not die and they are thankful for everyone who has helped them along this most incredible journey.

Thank you Robin. Thank you Shark Finatics.
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