About Us
Fins Attached Marine Research and Conservation is an NGO based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its mission is to conduct research, promote conservation, and provide education for the protection of the marine ecosystem. The organization’s core philosophy is that the health of any ecosystem is controlled by its apex predators, so while its work aims to impact the marine ecosystem as a whole, much of its research focuses on sharks, manta ray, and turtles.
We were founded in 2010 by Dr. Alex Antoniou, who has worked in shark conservation since 1994, was the first to satellite-tag whale sharks in the Caribbean and now serves as the nonprofit’s volunteer CEO. In practice, its work spans a few areas:
Research. It conducts and supports scientific research gathering data on shark behavior, populations, and ocean health. Projects include locating and studying white shark nurseries using birth tags and satellite trackers to identify key breeding habitats, with regular expeditions to islands and seamounts of the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean, operating in Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, the Galapagos, and the Bahamas.
Advocacy and policy. It raises awareness about threats like overfishing, shark finning, and habitat destruction, and its data is used by policymakers, conservation groups, and international bodies to push for stronger marine protection and sustainable ocean use.
Education and partnerships. It’s a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has joined forces with For the Oceans Foundation, the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation, Reserva Playa Tortuga, and United Conservationists in a coalition to combat illegal fishing and climate effects while supporting species protection and environmental education. It funds its work through grants, donations, and events like the “Saving Our Sea from a Mile High” Gala held in Denver.
Our Mission
Mission Statement: To conduct research, promote conservation, and provide education for the protection of the marine ecosystem
Our core belief: We believe in the preservation of our world’s precious resources and that through the protection of the ocean’s apex predators, marine ecosystem balance can be maintained for the benefit of all living things on earth.
The mission of Fins Attached is to conduct research, promote conservation and provide education for the protection of marine ecosystems. The health of any ecosystem is controlled largely by its apex predators. So, while our work aims to impact the marine ecosystem as a whole, much of our research is focused on the apex predators of the marine environment, which are sharks.
Our organization is comprised of scientists, companies, organizations, and people concerned with the health of the world’s oceans. The scientists that represent Fins Attached range in backgrounds from divers to Ph.D marine biologists.
While conducting research and promoting conservation are important components of what Fins Attached does, affecting international policy will ultimately lead to the protection of shark species. As such, the Fins Attached International Policy and Development Specialist will lead this cause.
As a non-profit organization, Fins Attached is governed by a volunteer board of directors. These caring individuals are:
- Ali Miller – Denver Divers, Denver Colorado (Board Secretary)
- Kris Lopez – Board Vice Chair
- Pat Purkhiser – Zoo Academy, Omaha Nebraska
- Andy Reid – Board Treasurer, Fins Attached, United Kingdom
- Dennis Santos – Elite Divers, New Jersey
- Kevin Young – Board Trustee
- Alex Antoniou, Ph.D. President and CEO
- Tamara Glover, Volunteer Coordinatoer
Fins Attached Staff/Volunteers:
- Alex Antoniou, Ph.D., Founder and CEO
- Mauricio Hoyos, Ph.D. Chief Scientist
- Michael Lloyd, Manager of Strategic Initiatives
- Anya Enriquez, Advisory Team
- Amy Tyson, Volunteer
- Christerpher St. Jone, Volunteer Relationship Manager
Fins Attached also has many volunteer members that help out with mission based activities. From helping to organize the annual fundraiser to helping to lead research expeditions.