Rhode Island Launches New Mako Shark License Plates for Motorcyclists

News Summary

Rhode Island introduces specialized mako shark-themed license plates for motorcyclists, with proceeds benefiting marine conservation. The launch event, held at Russ’ Ocean State Harley-Davidson, saw enthusiastic participation from bikers who preordered the plates. Each $42.50 set contributes $20 to the Atlantic Shark Institute, promoting vital shark research. This initiative, the first of its kind for motorcycles, underscores the community’s commitment to marine life preservation. Over 10,000 shark plates have been issued, highlighting strong support for conservation efforts.

Warwick, Rhode Island – Motorcyclists in Rhode Island can now adorn their vehicles with a new mako shark design on their license plates. The official distribution of these specialized motorcycle plates commenced on Saturday, marking a significant addition to charitable efforts aimed at marine conservation.

The launch event took place at Russ’ Ocean State Harley-Davidson in Warwick. It attracted numerous local motorcyclists, many of whom had preordered the new shark-themed plates before a May 18 deadline. During the event, attendees had the opportunity to pick up their plates and participate in a distribution party organized by the Atlantic Shark Institute (ASI), the beneficiary of this initiative.

Each set of shark plates costs $42.50, with $20 from every purchase directly supporting the ASI. This Rhode Island-based nonprofit focuses on conducting vital research related to shark biology, survival, and sustainability. The initiative is notable as it marks the first time ASI has launched a motorcycle charity plate. A minimum of 600 preorders was required to initiate production of the motorcycle plates, demonstrating robust community support for the project.

The shark plates are the fourth category to be issued by the state in this design, joining previous versions for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and combination styles. To date, over 10,000 sets of shark plates have been distributed across all categories, underscoring the popularity of this conservation-focused initiative.

The plates prominently feature a striking image of an endangered shortfin mako shark, designed to raise awareness about shark conservation. The quick uptake of the motorcycle plates has been noted as being the fastest-selling charity plates in Rhode Island’s history, highlighting a growing interest in promoting marine life preservation within the motorcycle community.

Jon Dodd, the executive director of the ASI, expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community in this charitable endeavor. It is emphasized that all profits generated from the sale of these plates will go directly toward research initiatives, as the organization operates without paid employees, thus maximizing the financial impact on its programs.

The ASI is recognized for its significant contributions to marine research, having recently co-authored a paper detailing an extraordinary discovery of a neonate spinner shark caught off the coast of Rhode Island. This finding exemplifies the crucial work being done by the institute and the importance of continuing research into shark populations and their ecosystems.

Motorists interested in obtaining their own shark plates can easily place their orders through the Atlantic Shark Institute website. The introduction of these plates will not only add a unique flair to motorcycle registration but will also support vital research efforts aimed at ensuring the survival of shark species in the Atlantic. The initiative highlights the community’s commitment to marine conservation while allowing individuals to express their support creatively.

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• Google Search: Rhode Island shark license plates
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• Providence Journal
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