Whale sharks, coral reefs and sustainable fishing took over the streets of Cancun
Nine artists from around the world came together to raise awareness
Whale Sharks, coral reefs and sustainable fishing took over the streets as artists Crea (Cancun), Curiot (Mexico City), Frase Honghikuri (Guadalajara), It’s a Living (Mexico City), Lauren YS (USA), Mateus Bailon (Brazil), Nychos (Austria), Poket (Cancun) and Saul Torbe (Mexico City) took to the Montana BLACK and Montana GOLD cans to create artwork that responds and identifies the issues .
“Translucent Whale Shark” – In the Cancun region of Mexico, whale sharks have become an increasingly popular summer tourist attraction, when hundreds of the ocean’s largest fish gather to feed. Individuals and families flock from all over the world to catch a glimpse of these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Despite international protection status, and communities such as Cancun demonstrating that these animals are worth much more alive than dead, whale sharks are listed as an endangered species due to destructive human impacts such as overfishing and the global demand for shark fins. In 2016, their classification was escalated from threatened to endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Vote with your dollar and do not support the trade of endangered marine life. Together, we can help save our seas.Nychos
And explosion of color with inspiration from the towns own aquatic history was the result and no on-looker was disappointed. With close to 100 large scale murals in Mexico and apx. 300 worldwide over 13 countries the Pangeasea project is moving from strength to strength in key locations to make sure our oceans futures are secured. PangeaSeed – Sea Walls Cancun, Mexico
“Reef Keeper” – “Reef Keeper” is Lauren’s vision of a fictional Protector of the Reef, a goddess meant to symbolize the fierce need to care for our underwater ecosystems. Lauren included a manta ray, inspired by an encounter with one during the Seawalls whale shark dive. Rays are becoming increasingly rare in the Yucatan due to overfishing and lack of protected zones. Coral Reefs are underwater structures forming colonies of tiny living animals (corals) found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Coral reefs form some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. They occupy less than 0.1% of the world’s ocean surface, about half the area of France, yet they provide a home for 25% of all marine species, and they are ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. These corals are under major threat due to climate change, ocean acidification, blast fishing, cyanide fishing for aquarium fish, harvesting for the aquarium trade, overuse of reef resources, and harmful land-use practices, including urban and agricultural runoff and water pollution. General estimates show approximately 10% of the world’s coral reefs are dead. About 60% of the world’s reefs are at risk due to destructive, human-related activities. By the 2030s, 90% of reefs are expected to be at risk from both human activities and climate change by 2050, all coral reefs will be in danger.Lauren YS
Images by PangeaSeed
About PangeaSeed Foundation
PangeaSeed Foundation is an international non-profit organization acting at the intersection of culture and environmentalism to further the conservation of our oceans. PangeaSeed Foundation aims to empower individuals and communities to create meaningful environmental change for oceans through ARTivism, education, and science. PangeaSeed Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization. PangeaSeed Foundation Sea Walls Cancun Mexico