COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado — Fins Attached Marine Research and Conservation proudly announces that Tabatha Ricci, nicknamed "Baby Shark", has become their ambassador in the fight to save sharks. Tabatha Ricci is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, currently competing in the strawweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Fins Attached is a USA based nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation, and especially sharks, which are becoming more and more endangered.
"I am proud to become the Ambassador for Fins Attached and I believe in what they stand for. I am passionate about two things in my life, my UFC career and protecting sharks. Supporting Fins Attached is natural for me. We all need to think about our oceans and what they mean to all of our lives. Join me in our effort to make a difference for good."
— Tabatha "Baby Shark" Ricci
As part of her Ambassadorship, Ricci will be joining Fins Attached on an expedition to Cocos Island, Costa Rica, July 29 - August 8, 2023. During the expedition Ricci will interact and learn from Fins Attached scientist, as she dives at this World Heritage Site in the Pacific Ocean. Cocos Island is famous for the sharks seen there, especially the schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks.
During the expedition, Fins Attached will be filming a short documentary film, so that Tabatha can help people understand the importance of sharks to our oceans and to inspire them to act. The film will be directed by Fins Attached Costa Rican Media Director Carola RamÃrez, and filmed by Edwar Herreno, an award-winning photographer.
"It is such an honor to have Tabatha as the Fins Attached Ambassador, standing shoulder to shoulder with us in the battle to save critically endangered sharks. Using her platform to lend her voice to our work and its value is going to help us reach people we usually don't interact with."
— Alex Antoniou, Fins Attached CEO
Tabatha Ricci was born and raised in Birigui, São Paulo, Brazil and is currently living in California. Her journey in martial arts began at 6-years-old, when her father, Carlos Salto "Trovao" (Judo black belt) introduced her to this world. When Tabatha was 15, she began fighting Muay Thai and had successful fights, including winning the Brazilian Nationals. At 17, she started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and won two world titles (at blue belt in Brazil and a purple belt in Irvine, CA). She then earned second place World Championship with gi in Long Beach, CA, and second-place World Championship No-Gi in Anaheim, CA.
In addition to fighting, Tabatha is a Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Paragon BJJ, teaching and inspiring people to be the best version of themselves. It is this passion that she brings to Fins Attached, inspiring people to make a difference to save sharks and the oceans we all depend on for survival.
"I'm not only fighting in the octagon, but I'm also fighting to save sharks. Join me and Fins Attached in the fight to save sharks around the world."
— Tabatha "Baby Shark" Ricci, UFC athlete
"With Tabatha by our side, the shark and ocean conservation message will be heard in all corners of the world."
— Alex Antoniou, Ph.D., Fins Attached CEO
To become a Fins Attached Sponsor, contact Alex Antoniou at alex@finsattached.org.
About Fins Attached:
Fins Attached conducts research, promotes conservation, and provides education for the protection of marine ecosystems. Fins Attached believes in the preservation of our world's precious resources and that through the protection of the ocean's apex predators marine ecosystem balance can be maintained for the benefit of all living things on Earth. Fins Attached is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Visit www.finsattached.org or email info@finsattached.org.