Kerry teams up with 'Shark Week'

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), an avid sailor and windsurfer, will team up with the Discovery Channel this summer during its hugely popular "Shark Week" to help end illegal shark fishing and strengthen shark protections.

Discovery announced the partnership on Wednesday in conjunction with Kerry's office. The cable channel also confirmed that "Shark Week" will premiere this summer on August 1.

During the week-long run of shark-related programming, Discovery will run public service announcements to promote shark education and awareness.

Kerry’s Shark Conservation Act of 2009 will also garner support from "Shark Week," in the form of an online petition Discovery will circulate during the week at Discovery.com.

 “Shark finning has fueled massive population declines and irreversible disruption of our oceans,” Kerry aid in a statement Wednesday.  “We need much stronger solutions to finally end this illicit trade.  We can do more, and I’m thrilled to see Discovery Channel’s willingness to roll up its sleeves and help us get the job done.”
 
This year marks the second in a row that Kerry has sponsored "Shark Week.”