"Ohne Dich geht’s nicht" (“It can’t be done without you”) was the slogan of Sharkproject, an NGO dedicated to shark conservation. The campaign emphasised how essential public support is in protecting sharks, particularly in the fight against the global shark fin trade. In 2020, the European Citizen’s Initiative “Stop Finning – Stop the Trade” set out to ban the import and export of detached shark fins within the EU. Although “finning” at sea was already prohibited, the trade in loose fins continued. The initiative aimed to close this loophole and required one million verified signatures across the EU to move forward.

For this initiative, I created artworks that highlighted the possible future for sharks if we continue as we do, as well as simple line works of sharks that were integrated into SHARKPROJECT’s campaign posters and outreach materials. These visuals supported the messaging, helping the campaign to stand out and communicate its call to action effectively. Germany, France, and Portugal were among the first countries to reach their signature thresholds, contributing to the eventual success of the campaign.

Founded in 2002, Sharkproject combined advocacy, education, and campaign work to highlight the ecological importance of sharks and push for stronger protections worldwide. The slogan “Ohne Dich geht’s nicht” captured their belief that only with collective effort can lasting change be achieved.