By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson

Today, a quarter of all shark and related species are threatened with extinction. Photo by Burnsboxco/iStockphoto

It’s hard to imagine our oceans without the beautiful and diverse creatures who inhabit them. Sharks, whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles and thousands of other marine animals who call the waters their home are not simply representative of the wonders of the natural world, they also play an integral role in keeping our ocean ecosystems healthy and in balance. At the same time, a flourishing marine environment, clean, mineral rich, and free from toxic pollution and other human-caused threats, essential in its own right, is also critical to the survival of countless species, including our own.

Unfortunately, we have not treated the animals who inhabit the world’s oceans with the kindness and consideration they deserve. Many marine animals suffer needlessly because of human…