There’s a good chance you know Cristina Zenato for her work removing hooks from sharks, but a conversation with Cristina is an opportunity to think about doing good as part of a bigger picture. One small thing is better than no big thing!

When speaking with someone who spends her time engaging in acts of kindness toward other species, the very topic of ‘speciesism’ is hard to resist.

“Why are we spending on these resources to run away from something we are destroying, and then when we get there we will most likely behave the same way?”

Why are humans so uncomfortable giving sentient credit to nonhumans?

Conservationists such as Cristina are working to remove hooks from sharks in a number of ways. One way is to use specially designed hooks that are less likely to become lodged in sharks’ mouths. Another way is to use barbless hooks, which are easier for sharks to remove.

They are also working to educate fishermen about the dangers of hooks to sharks, and to encourage them to use barbless hooks and to release sharks that have been hooked.

These efforts are important because sharks are apex predators that play a vital role in the marine ecosystem.

They help to keep populations of prey fish in check, which in turn helps to prevent the overfishing of other species. Sharks are also being overfished themselves, and their populations are declining.

Efforts by people such as Cristina are essential to save these precious animals.

All footage is property of Cristina Zenato and Kewin Lorensen except where Skyler shares his own clips. Learn more at Cristinazenato.com