Mission Statement:
To become the internet's leading educational source
 of information on sharks and shark conservation
 for the world's youth.

Develop a better understanding and appreciation for these fine animals and the majesty they have brought to our world for hundreds of millions of years.  Please explore our site to learn more about them and what you can do to help. Knowledge is power, be powerful!

Richard Lefler, Director S.E.A. Program

Founding Director:  Richard A. Lefler
It was the Summer of '75.  Jaws was in the theaters and our youthful director was in the aisle.  Jaws was inspiring he says, "...so many people tell me the movie drove them from the water while I was drawn to it like a magnet."   In the Summer of '02, our director's son's gawking at his dad's video from South Africa asked if he was going to be eaten by the sharks.  www.seaprogram.com was born shortly there after to educate children and adults about the value and diversity of sharks.  Richard is 39, a resident of New Jersey, a loving father, and a devoted fan of the 350 plus shark species roaming the world's oceans in peace.

December 19, 2007
Happy holidays to one and all, with hope (and a lot of effort) 2008 will bring improved conservation awareness to more people around the globe.  Seaprogram.org is once again operational as our flagship site and we've added seaprogram.net. Additionally, the holiday powers that be delivered a new logo to our program. Let us know what you think, drop us a line.  Need a gift idea? Adopt a shark via the Shark Research Institute, for a very small fee (we did!). Lastly, we continue on our mission of improving education and awareness about sharks and shark conservation. We've just added a myspace.com page to our efforts and that page can found here.
 

June 24, 2007
The summer is in full swing in North America and millions of people are headed to the shores to bask in the sun and surf.  While enjoying this summer, keep in mind that millions of sharks are still being finned and returned to the ocean alive, just to drown. Finning must end before the oceanic food chains collapse completely.  Join me in supporting the people and organizations that are trying to end a very cruel and meaningless waste of one of earth's most majestic natural resources. 

January 30, 2007
Ah, winter in the Eastern part of the states, the best time to hit the Caribbean for sharks.  And just a few months away from shark season in South Africa. We've been busy soliciting new pictures for our gallery and new content for the site, if you have ideas, send them!  We can't get enough.  ALSO! Don't forget our Kids Only! page, we need artwork, get crayons and keep sending!
 

April 2, 2006
I' m very proud to report that we had nearly 13,000 visitors from 19 different countries in 2005.  Thanks to those who came for a visit and thanks to the many of you that wrote in with questions and comments.  We hope that 2006 brings many more visitors from across the globe.

July 4, 2005
The first US shark attack fatality of the year took place within the last several days in Florida followed by two non fatal attacks (also in Florida).  Two of the three attacks were attributable to bull sharks.  It's also been suggested that the attacks in New Jersey in 1916 (the alleged inspiration for Jaws) were also Bull shark related.  None of this makes any difference to a family member of a victim and we feel great sorrow when anyone is attacked but the true victims remain sharks.  Finning will never be a front page story in a major story but if the saying "If it bleeds, it leads!" were true, sharks would reign as cover stories daily.  Hundreds of millions of sharks are finned (the act of removing a shark's fins, sold for shark fin soup) and released to drown. This finning continues to reduce global shark stocks which in turn impacts globally food chains. Ultimately we, humans, will fall victim.  Let's hope we can save the world's fisheries by saving the world's fish.

December 5, 2004
I'm very pleased to announce that we have had well over 5,000 visitors from 18 different countries to our humble site and with that a great deal of positive feedback.  Yes, yes, of course, there are critics but they usually highlight the fact we don't have an editor on staff.  Ahh, to be able to afford an editor.  One thing we are certainly missing is artwork.  If you have shark related artwork, we welcome it.  With the close of 2004, we wish you the best for the holidays and a more peaceful new year.

January 03, 2004
We got it!  A beautiful new logo splashes across the pages of www.seaprogram.com.  We hope you like it, if not drop us a line or better yet, make us a new one!  We have also dropped our continuous review of shark related articles on the net.  When you are beat you are beat and we now link you to a great site that has a ton of shark news and great pictures.  Click the attacks button to check it out!  OH... Happy New Year!!!!  Thanks for your continuous support of our efforts!  Best wishes to you and yours in the new year!

December 15, 2003
Happy Holidays!
Believe it or not we are still working to bring you the latest information on sharks and shark attacks. We have opted not to link the extended coverage of Bethany Hamilton's recovery because we believe it casts a dark cloud on sharks.  Nevertheless Bethany seems to be recovering with a passion and continue to wish her and her family the best.  We invite you to read about Bethany on your own.  We also hope that you have a magical and wonderful holiday season. 

As of today, www.seaprogram.com has had 4000 hits!!!  Thank you!

November 4, 2003
A few days ago Bethany Hamilton, a pro surfer in Hawaii was attacked by a 14 foot Tiger shark and lost an arm.  It's an incredible loss to the family and I feel for them as well as Bethany. Any shark at 10 feet in length or more could do a great deal more damage to a human including devouring them entirely.  As horrible and unfortunate as this attack was, it must be stated that this shark clearly had no intention of killing Bethany.  It's widely accepted that sharks attack humans by mistake.  Mistaking people for natural prey such as seals and sea lions.  I hope that Hawaiians as well as everyone else remember that this was only the 4th attack in paradise this year and the year is quickly coming to a close.  Sharks are fish, they are not evil and they should not be hunted for the sake of a few tragic occurrences.  Our thoughts are with the victim and her family.  To read more about Bethany's attack please visit our attacks page.

October 20, 2003
We are pleased to announce that our fossil page has a new photo with some new fossils on it and later this month we will add several pictures to this page in hopes of encouraging others to join the hunt.  If you are interested in information or a "guided" tour please send the director a note.  In addition to the new fossils, we've added to our new "Attacks" page with up to date listings from the web. Lastly, we are researching possible options for a logo for our site and there is a remote possibility we may have a tie into merchandise.  If you are a graphic designer willing to make your mark let our director know.

September 16, 2003
We have two new impressive updates to bring to your attention. The first is www.seaprogram.org.  This site is now live despite some technical difficulties but will either be a mirror site of www.seaprogram.com or a re-directed page.  The second and more impressive update is a new page titled "Attacks".  This new page will highlight internet sites with shark attack related articles.  It is updated almost daily so check back often to hear the latest, shark attacks.

September 7, 2003
The summer is over, but the sharks still swim!  I was fossil hunting in New Jersey today, a new and exciting little adventure for me!!!  Check out our latest finds on the fossils page, many of which were discovered today!  If you are the adventurous I'd suggest you try a hunt yourself.  This month we will expand the Fossil page to include broader links for international locations for shark fossils so check back often for new links. Fossils page

August 16, 2003
We are pleased to announce that www.seaprogram.org will be joining the organization.  This new site will be a mirror site and will reflect the same content with exception of the guestbook feature. We would also like to announce that we have upgraded our software to Windows XP and Frontpage 2002. 

April 14, 2003
Apparently, Spring will be skipped this year in NJ as we are expecting 80 degree temperatures one week after a blizzard.  At least Mother Nature continues to bless us with our sharks.  Much of the media coverage heading into Spring and Summer has been good to our sharks.  We at www.seaprogram.com are thankful and hope the "summer of the shark" has come and gone.  Thank you to those that have sent us feedback via our guest book.  We continue to read it daily and look forward to providing more content as our site grows.  Have ideas for improvement?  Elementary education tips?  Send them to us at education@seaprogram.com.

March 03, 2003
First someone tell me what happened to Spring. It seems awfully late to me.  Oh by the way for those that don't know, this site is managed in New Jersey.  For those that rag on NJ, I have one thing to add to your list, Jaws was inspired by events that took place in this very state.  It wasn't in Newark by the way.  So welcome to the first entry of the Director's Jaw.  Since this is the first entry let me say welcome and thanks for reading.  Please send us your feedback using our guest book.  We want it all, the good stuff and the bad stuff!  We understand that sharks are not on the forefront of anyone's mind during the winter or during this time of global instability but we do want to hear from you.