Nina Dobrev is taking on her most important role yet — ocean advocate.

As the newest Oceana Ambassador, the 28-year-old former “Vampire Diaries” actress is helping to advocate for legislation that would ban the sale of shark-fin products in the U.S. While the act of finning is illegal in U.S. waters, fins are still imported and traded throughout the country.

Oceana is currently calling for legislation to ban the fin trade in the U.S., and Dobrev is playing her part to bring light to the devastation caused by finning, which kills to up to 73 million sharks per year.

“I am thrilled to join up with Oceana and help fight for healthy oceans,” Dobrev said in a statement. “I’ve been fascinated by sharks for a while. They used to scare me, but once I realized what amazing creatures they are, I knew I needed to lend my voice and support to Oceana’s campaign for their protection.”

“I was really struck by how graceful sharks are – and how uninterested they were in me,” she said. “These are unique, fascinating animals and they deserve our respect. The U.S. has a great opportunity to set a positive example and help discourage the demand for shark fins around the world.”

Dobrev traveled to Bimini, Bahamas, with Oceana to swim with sharks and learn more about them. She visited Triangle Rocks and Honeymoon Harbor to snorkel with Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks, as well as fish like black grouper, Bermuda chub, yellowtail snapper and singrays.

To learn more about the campaign, visit oceana.org/SaveSharks.

Source: sport diver