This summer EcoJoia partner PangeaSeed is launching an international shark saving campaign called Sink or Swim. To broadcast their message on an international scale, PangeaSeed will embark on a series of events both in Japan and abroad. The events will showcase the issues surrounding shark finning and engage audiences through the mediums of art, photography, film, music and discussion.

First, PangeaSeed will host its third annual not-for-profit art exhibition. This year’s event entitled Sink or Swim will take place in Tokyo from July 16th - 22nd. From July 29th - 31st, PangeaSeed has been selected to host an information booth at the 2011 Fuji Rock Festival’s NGO Village. Following its footsteps in Japan, PangeaSeed will take Sink or Swim abroad for an inaugural international art exhibition at the prestigious Spoke Art Gallery in San Francisco, California, September 29th - October 2nd.

“We are very excited to showcase a not-for-profit fund raising art collection featuring works contributed from more than 40 international renowned artists, graphic designers and photographers never before seen in Japan and the United States,” said Tre’ L. Packard, managing director of PangeaSeed. “Sink or Swim is not only a reference to the cruel practice of finning but also a reference to our relationship with the oceans as a whole,” Packard said. “As human activity is causing sea levels to rise and coral reefs to die, we see fish stocks rapidly disappearing. The global population must change course if we want future generations to experience the sea as we have. We are standing at the crossroads in terms of sustaining the oceans. We may sink and fail, or we may find a way to succeed and swim.”

Packard added, “We are thrilled with the opportunities we’ve been given to bring this message to the public. Through these events, PangeaSeed aims to open the eyes, minds and hearts of our neighbors and bring to the forefront the ecological and environmental problems that continue to be overlooked both domestically and around the globe. We believe these events are an excellent place to share our message and gain the necessary momentum to help safeguard sharks and our oceans.”

In addition to raising funds to help sharks in Japan and around the world, Pangeaseed will donate a percentage of proceeds to help aid animals affected by the March 2011 earthquake in Japan.