On July 14, tattoo studios around the globe will unite under the banner of Sea Shepherd Tattoo to raise their voices for the ocean’s most misunderstood guardians: sharks.
These ancient creatures, who have ruled the seas for over 400 million years, are now disappearing at an alarming rate. As apex predators, sharks play a crucial role in keeping the ocean healthy, regulating fish populations, and even protecting carbon sinks like seagrass meadows and phytoplankton, which are vital in the fight against climate change. Every year, more than 100 million sharks are slaughtered awith devastating consequences for marine ecosystems.
This year, World Shark Day becomes a global call to action. Sea Shepherd is inviting tattoo artists and studios to take part by creating shark- and ocean-themed tattoos to raise awareness and help fund conservation efforts.
How it works
Tattoo studios host a flash tattoo day on 14 July (or a nearby date), design ocean-inspired pieces, and donate a portion of the proceeds to support Sea Shepherd’s shark defence campaigns. There’s no minimum donation required, just a shared commitment to protecting what remains of our blue planet. Artists are also encouraged to share their work online using hashtags like #SeaShepherd and #WorldSharkDay to amplify the message.
By choosing one of these pieces, clients help fund direct action to defend sharks and the marine habitats they support.
From awareness to action, this initiative proves that art can do more than decorate the body: it can spark conversations, inspire change, and literally help save species on the brink.
