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“I have always been passionate about finding ways to inspire, educate and communicate through engaging art,” said Edgar Plans. “Project Hiu is a fascinating opportunity to open the conversation in order to connect shark conservation activism and “Lil Heroes” to the community’s lives, activities, and ultimately their future.”
Exile Executive Chairman and Founder Isaac Lee said, “When we formed Exile, one of our goals was to create content that would not only entertain audiences but also illuminate global issues that affect all of us and inspire positive change in the world. This partnership is part of our commitment to these areas and empower Edgar Plans “Lil Heroes” who cares deeply about the environment and is enthusiastically supporting the project.”
“What I like most about Project Hiu is how they do their work with a methodology that can have a real impact while offering pragmatic economic solutions for the communities,” said Daniel Eilemberg, President of Content at Exile and co-founder of Lil Heroes.
Project Hiu was founded by activist Madison Stewart to transform these communities from shark fishing to tourism in order to protect and replenish shark populations, of which 100 million die annually, in order to preserve the ecosytemic balance of our oceans. Their plan is to turn these shark fishing communities into shark sanctuaries by repurposing the shark fishing vessels and offering an alternative source of income by employing the fishermen that crew them, with the potential of saving over 600 sharks a year.
Said Stewart, “The world is changing so fast, and it needs an army of people together to save it. We cannot do it alone, and to collaborate with communities and artists, who also know what it’s like to fight for something, to swim against the current, is strengthening our chances. We have the ability here, together with Lil’ Heroes, to change life above, and below the surface.”
The proceeds of the donation will be used to decommissioning one shark fishing boat for an entire year, which will prevent 600 shark deaths, and go towards education of four of the villages’ children in order to provide futures for them other than shark fishing in order to break the cycle with the next generation.
The commitment will also stop the operation of shark fishing boats for two months and subsidize the fishermen for their lost income saving more than 100 sharks from slaughter and giving the community the tools to understand that a shark is worth more alive than dead.
Additionally, research to scout locations, hire a scientist to study the movements of the sharks with satellite tracking, as well as the destinations and ecosystems of these species, to maximize the conservation are part of the project.
Management of the donated funds will be handled by PVBLIC Foundation, an innovative non-profit organization that connects public, private, and nonprofit sectors, helping partners amplify their impact in support of sustainable development around the world.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Exile, Isaac, Edgar, and Madison and happy to provide fund management and programmatic support to this important project as it aligns to a number of Sustainable Development Goals especially SDG 14, conserving and protecting life below water,” said Stephen Keppel, PVBLIC Foundation President.
Source: Project Hiu(Press release)
