Mark The Shark - CBS 4 Miami

The Shark Free Marinas Initiative Director, Luke Tipple, was recently interviewed by CBS 4 Miami concerning "Mark The Shark".

"Mark the Shark" operates from the Sea Isle Marina in Miami, and one look at their site you can see how they would be a nice fit for the new initiative.

Sea Isle Marina has a history of adopting green initiatives. They were one of the first in the region to adopt the Florida based Clean Marina program and it is hoped they might see the wisdom and positive media in being the very first large marina in the region to adopt the Shark Free Marinas Initiative.

The initiative would stop large, breeding aged animals, like a recent 12 foot, 1000lb shark brought back this week by "Mark The Shark" from entering the marina.

An adoption of this program would be a win for the sharks as these animals typically end up in a local dumpster after film crews and locals have left. A win also for the regional marinas whose dedication to green initiatives would be proudly on display for both the public and the mainstream media.

Editors Note: The reporter Natalia Zea did a great job with this piece - but as happens with news articles some of the "facts" were attributed to the Shark free Marinas Initiative incorrectly.

The Shark Free Marinas Initiative did not stop a recent Ft.Myers shark tournament from going "catch and release". That entire effort must be attributed to the Shark Safe folks in Ft.Myers whose diligent efforts resulted in precedent setting change. Kudos.

Creature From The Black Lagoon!?

This summer Universal Studios is pinning hopes, dreams, and ticket sales on their all new interactive show:

Creature From The Black Lagoon - The Musical!

We could not have made this up if we tried. No this is not an Underwater Onion and yes, that is the actual show poster.

The show features lead actors wearing 120lb Black Lagoon monster suits "gargling" through plaintive songs of...love?

On behalf of Universal Studios Hollywood, I am very excited to share with you that “Creature From The Black Lagoon – A Raging Rockin’ Show” will debut on July 1, 2009!

The hip, musical stage adaptation of the Universal horror classic movie boasts an all-original score, acrobatic choreography and dazzling Broadway-level production values thanks to an award-winning theatrical production team.

You're tempted to see this in person but the idea of actually spending money for a "Raging Rockin" remake of this film classic seems a bit off putting.

Kind of like paying money to see a train wreck, at night, in the rain.

Any ideas for next seasons line up?

Shark Divers - New Wetsuit Fashion

Oh, the horror. It took a Dutch fashion designer to do away with wetsuit design as we know it and create this (click image):

The wetsuit - created by Dutch designer Diddo Velema - makes it look like the wearer has been savaged by a shark thanks to a unique printing process.

Custom inks are used to add the gory textures which appear like a torn wetsuit, ripped skin and wounds going down to the bone.

Diddo, who has a design studio in Amsterdam, said: "Wetsuits are both functional and protective, but why must they all look the same?"

Note: They all look the same to keep you warm, not make a fashion statement.

Ft.Myers Beach - Positive Change

The shark conservation movement has often been described as a "thousand ants taking down an elephant".

In the past two years some long lasting and precedent setting victories from Alibaba.com to the recent decision by the Maldives to ban all shark fishing has been attributed to this army of shark conservationists.

It all starts with "One". One idea, one blog, one website, one initiative.

"One".

Recently this army trained their sights on the "Are You Man Enough?" shark tournament in Ft Myers Beach, Fl. The resulting media, websites, blog posts, and phone calls stirred local politicians to effect rapid and precedent setting change.

The tournament will no longer feature dead trophy sharks which is a win. Instead catch and release will allow sharks to be fished sustainably.

Tracking this shark conservation army back here are some of the posts that made for this change alerting media and others to pick up phones and start making calls.

Kudos to all who made this change. Here's a short list and by no means complete:

Shark Safe Rally - The "One"

Oceanic Dreams

Neil Hammerschlag

Chum Slick

Loves Sharks

Underwater Times

Care2 Networks

Southern Fried Science

Dive Photo Guide

Scuba Board

Charity News

Beqa Adventure Divers

Florida Blog

The list of news outlets who followed this story lent a lot credibility to this effort. The final summation came from Gary and Brenda Adkison who wrapped up this change nicely.