Russian PM Putin rides Great White Shark in S.A?

MOSCOW: Vlad is back at it again. Bolstering his macho image, Russian PM Vladimir Putin yesterday wowed onlookers with a dangerous stunt in the Kara Sea.

According to his entourage, Putin reportedly jumped overboard from a guided missile frigate on to a great white shark and proceeded to ride atop it for up to fourteen minutes before diving off.

The Russian PM lassoed a rope around the massive shark and held on tightly before it completely submerged to the horror of Putin’s security entourage.

However, Putin surfaced a few minutes later to the cheers of onlookers who had been taking pictures throughout the entire spectacle.

“Putin is an incredible man,” said a young woman who had been holidaying with her boyfriend on a yacht close to the scene.

“There is nothing he cannot do. I once heard that he stared down an owl in a rain forest. That’s amazing!”

The Prime Minister appeared short of breath but otherwise calm as he greeted Journalists on the shore of the Kiril islands. According to a reporter from Russia’s state ITAR-TASS news agency, Putin then chased down a lion and ate it raw.

Officials could not verify the report, however a member of Putin’s Russia First party did confirm that Putin was known to chase lions.

“It’s a hobby of Mr Putin’s,” he told Breaking News.

“Oftentimes, he will catch them and eat them, but I don’t know whether he ate a lion on the Kiril islands. I’ve never heard of lions in the Kiril islands.”

Original link, no we had nothing to do with this one.

Sunshine State Anglers Support Shark-Free Marinas

From the Sunshine State Angler website this week:

As we have reported time and time again, shark populations around the globe have been severely lessened. In an attempt to bring the shark’s plight to all ours attention Guy Harvey put together this PSA last year to kick off his campaign with Human Society of the United States called the Shark Free Marina Initiative. We here at SSA agree that shark populations have declined dramatically and that the oceans will be soon set off balance. We believe that all us can do our part to be part of the solution but to really help shark populations rebound initiatives need to focus more on commercial shark fishing especially illegal shark fishing. Banning the sale or possession of shark fins would go very far to help these ocean stewards.

Watch the video and log in and let us know how you feel on this topic. Here is a link to the Shark Free Marina Initiative website: http://www.sharkfreemarinas.com/index.php

Long Migrations for Zambezis - South African Shark Conservancy

Researchers have found that a bull shark, also known as a Zambezi shark, has migrated from the South Western Cape in South Africa to near the Mozambican island of Bazaruto over a period of just two months.

Zambezi sharks, which can grow up to four metres in length, are perhaps best known for their ability to survive in rivers.

The researchers knew little about the migration patterns of bull sharks and tagged a shark in the Breede River estuary to gain an insight. The tag is designed to fall off the shark and float to the surface, whereupon it sends data via satellite on the shark's movements.

Researchers from the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC) have been shocked at the migration pattern of the tagged shark which covered a distance of 2,000 kilometres.

SASC representative Meaghen McCord lamented that "despite being listed by the IUCN as near-threatened globally, there are no existing management or conservation measures for bull sharks in South Africa or Mozambique".

McCord called for temporary protection of bull sharks until they can be studied further, pointing out that the sharks are apex predators and play a role in maintaining the ecosystem.

SASC has offered an award of 150 US dollars for the return of the tag, which is believed to be floating somewhere off the coast of Mozambique.

Great White Shark Research Internship S.A

Job Description

Interns will be joining dedicated scientists who are conducting accredited research projects in some of the world's most challenging, beautiful and remote environments. The projects demand significant scientific and practical responsibilities from participants, however, the demands are well within the capabilities of most students, and whilst being challenging, are enjoyable and exciting. As part of this program, interns can expect to be important members of a focused and dedicated research institute and partake in ground breaking research. It is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to exciting marine research, as well as experience the frustrations, the highs and the lows, and the achievements associated with ambitious and challenging marine research in Africa.

Oceans Research has established a strategic network of two research stations situated within the unique marine biomes of southern Africa, namely, Skeleton Coast Marine Lab and Mossel Bay Marine Lab. At each laboratory, researchers are conducting ambitious ecological, physiological and biological studies on resident marine top predators and their associated ecosystems.
Mossel Bay Marine Lab is the flagship and most established research laboratory within the Oceans Research network. It is also home to the institute's central office and management. The research laboratory is situated along the southern coast of Africa in a warm temperate marine biome that attracts numerous temperate water fish species. At the top of the food chain is the Cape fur seal that resides on Seal Island, the Great white shark that frequents the bay to hunt fur seals, numerous fish species and a semi resident population of bottlenose dolphins. Interested interns can also get involved with our educational program, where we educate mostly underprivileged schools regarding the importance of ocean conservation and the vital role sharks play in both the marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Skeleton Coast Marine Lab is situated along the desert coast of Namibia at Walvis Bay, a worldwide mecca of dolphin watching and desert tourism. The Benguela current is the driving force behind one of the world's most abundant marine environments and attracts dense populations of marine mammals such as the Heaviside's dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, Cape fur seal and humpback whale. The Namibian coast line is considered one of the most undeveloped, beautiful places in the world. The Namib is the oldest desert in the world and is characterised by the conjunction of large fields of sand dunes meeting one of the world's richest marine environments, the cold currents of the Benguela ecosystem.

• Job Function(s): Agriculture/Natural Resources/Environment

The internship program is aimed at assisting in the development of students training in the area of biological science. However, we willingly invite applications from all students and enthusiasts who have a passion for the oceans and want to extend their

• Desired Class Level(s): First Year, Sophomore, Former Student, Other, Junior, Senior, Graduate Student, Alumni
• Desired Field of Study: Biology, School of Law
• Minimum GPA: 2.50

• Application Deadline: 07/31/2011
• Employer: Oceans Research
• Contact Name: Lezanne Vermaak -
• Apply by Email: internship@oceans-research.com

Requested Materials and Documents

The employer has requested the following documents or materials be submitted with applications.

• Required: Resume

Material/Document Notes:
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