About Me
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My name is Bay Hodge. I am a college senior studying economics at the University of Chicago. I started SaveOceanicSharks.org as a high school senior. I am an avid sailor - I learned to sail with my high school's varsity team and am now a Commodore of my college's club sailing team. During high school, I was a volunteer at SoundWaters, an environmental group dedicated to protecting Long Island Sound through education and action.
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Why did I decide to write a children's book and create this website to help save sharks? I have been offered shark fin soup at dinner banquets many times during my eleven visits to China. However, it wasn't until recently that I realized the full impact of this traditional Chinese food on shark populations. Learning about the inhumane practice of shark finning motivated me to research sharks and their endangerment. My book aims to teach children that most sharks are neither dangerous nor scary, but actually amazing creatures that are vital to the health of our oceans.
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I am also inspired by the renowned marine scientist Dr. Robert Ballard who gave a lecture at my school a number of years ago. Although he is well-known for locating the wreck of the Titantic, I was most interested in his discovery of hydrothermal vents.
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The cover of my children's book appears below. 100% of proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to WildAid, an organization focused on ending the illegal trade of wildlife by reducing the sale and consumption of wildlife products, such as shark fin soup. The book contains paintings of sharks by my grandfather, Bai Ji Kong, a contemporary Chinese artist born in Shanghai in 1932. He has long been regarded as a key figure in China's contemporary art movement. His works are included in the permanent collections of The Art Institute of Chicago, Harvard University, Lincoln Center, The National Art Museum of China, The Shanghai Art Museum, Smith College Museum of Art, The Soyanzi Art Museum in Tokyo, The Peace Museum in Hokkaido, Japan, and the Kimpusen-ji temple in Nara, Japan—a designated national treasure.
Click here to view the book on Amazon
