Being an activist isn't all about rallying together and heading – all banners and angry shouts – to the City Hall to demand change. Almost all change starts with how you live, and what you choose to consume: to put in your mouth, to wear, to use.

Think of Michael Jackson's song ‘Man In The Mirror’ whenever you need a reminder of the most basic action that you can take. The best action you can take to save sharks is stop buying any type of tuna product. In addition to this, shark products, in the form of shark fin soup, shark tooth jewelry or otherwise are massive problems in their own right. If you currently use or eat shark products (even on occasion), deciding to stop is a huge step in ensuring the health of ocean ecosystems. We know this can be challenging culturally, but if you make this decision you will become a voice in your community (especially at weddings and other important events) for over 450 species of sharks that do not have a voice of their own.

Here's something else to consider if ‘culture’ comes into the conversation: every moment spent arguing amongst ourselves about culture is a moment of inaction.

Every short-sighted moment that we waste discussing what is right and what is wrong for our respective man-made cultures is a time lost on positive actions that could potentially prevent one of the largest mass-extinction events on the planet from happening.

The truth is that most people don’t know how amazing and important sharks are and don’t understand the immense fishing pressures the shark fin and tuna industry have placed on them. Perhaps you can be the catalyst that changes someone’s perception of sharks... or even their actions!

p.s. please DO keep heading down to the city hall with your banners and angry shouts: demand changes to ocean policies, demand change to conserve and protect our seas.