MLS Inter Miami CF

Inter Miami and the University of Miami Rosenstiel School Collaborate on Shark Tagging Conservation Efforts

Published on July 28, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Inter Miami CF News Release


Inter Miami and the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science showcase another step in their collaboration to raise awareness on the importance of sharks to the ocean ecosystem and shark conservation.

Major League Soccer and adidas launched their League-wide One Planet Campaign in April this year. The One Planet campaign sees all Major League Soccer Clubs wearing uniforms made from recycled plastics. The process of taking ocean plastics and turning them into performance materials progresses through four key steps: intercept, shred, melt, thread. adidas intercepts plastics directly from the ocean in high-risk environments, shreds the plastics, melts the plastics and then finally threads the plastics into material that can be used to create performance products. Through this process, the jerseys are made entirely from recycled ocean plastic.

"Our goal is to harness the power of fútbol to do good," said Inter Miami CF SVP, Brand and Marketing, Mike Ridley. "We want to use our platform to raise awareness, but we also pride ourselves on being a Club that takes action to benefit our community. Teaming up with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science has allowed us to make a direct impact in celebration of World Oceans Day."

Inter Miami CF again returned to the ocean to reveal the Club's One Planet jersey alongside a great hammerhead shark, completing a three-part campaign to promote responsible plastic use and the positive impact it can have on our ocean habitat.

In addition to the one-of-a-kind digital marketing campaign, the Club collaborated with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School to continue the conversation. The two Miami-based organizations joined together to participate in the university's world-renowned Shark Research and Conservation Program.

"We had a wonderful time taking Chris [Wittyngham] and Kieran [Gibbs] out on the water and engaging them with our research for a day. It's at the core of our educational mission to teach people about the incredible marine life here in South Florida on an up-close and personal level," said Dr. Catherine Macdonald, director of the Shark Research and Conservation Program at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School. "A day on the water doing shark research changes perspectives, and allows people to experience first-hand why sharks are so important to our oceans."

The Shark Research and Conservation Program conducts conservation-relevant research on the biology and ecology of sharks and rays. Their research approach incorporates studies of shark populations through tagging, but also includes research into habitat use and ecological interconnections with other species sharks rely on, especially in the highly human-impacted environments of South Florida. Their educational mission includes teaching the public about shark science and conservation, including bringing hundreds of people, primarily school-children, into the field to learn about shark research each year. Fans can purchase their Inter Miami CF One Planet jerseys at MLSstore.com and in the Inter Miami CF Team Store on gameday. For all purchases of the jersey made in the Team Store, 10 percent of proceeds are donated to the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. Also in celebration of World Oceans Day today, Inter Miami will auction a pair of Inter Miami CF team signed adidas One Planet jerseys and the funds will be donated to the Shark Research and Conservation Program at the Rosenstiel School.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 28, 2023


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