Your Chance To Get Up Close To A Massive Mako

Count us in-we're scrambling for frequent flyer miles. Spring in New Zealand with a 12 foot Mako?

Priceless:

11 December 2008 - A mako shark collected as it died in the Mapua estuary, near Nelson, recently will be dissected at an open viewing this Saturday.

The dissection will be lead by Department of Conservation shark expert, Clinton Duffy, one of the country's leading shark researchers.The huge female shark presents an exciting and sought after research opportunity - only one pregnant female mako has even been recorded in New Zealand waters before.

Clinton will examine the shark's reproductive tract to uncover crucial evidence that will help researchers answer questions about the lifecycle of mako sharks. If the shark is pregnant, DNA samples will be collected from the embryos to investigate the possibility of multiple paternity occurring in this species.

The massive size of the shark - over 3.3m long and weighing in at 460kg - means the shark could be close to being as old as makos get. Vertebrae samples could provide much needed clues to help determine the age of the shark. This can then be used to estimate natural mortality, how many pups a female mako can produce in her life time and allows researchers to better estimate growth rates of large sharks.

Members of the public are welcome to view the dissection. The dissection will take place on the car park area near Mapua Wharf (near Nelson), on Saturday 13 December, rain or shine. The dissection will begin around 12.30pm and is expected to take 2 - 3 hours. There is no charge.

Update from Nantucket Shark Diving

A while back we introduced you to Nantucket Shark Diving and owner Bryce Rohrer for those of you on the East coast with the shark diving itch.

Here's the latest site update from him. Summer's still here and the waters fine:

Hi Patric,

Been about a month and wanted to give you a report from the North
East. We've been capturing some great footage of mako sharks this
season. We have been averaging 2-5 makos a day and 1-3 blues.
Usually its the reverse, more blues than makos. With the water temps
falling a bit and fall right here the blues are coming back. We had a
large 300lb fish stick around the boat for about 3 hours last saturday
acting just like a big shark. Slow methodical passes once every 10-15
mintues, knowing exactly where to go.

Most of our makos have been in the 80 - 200 lb. range and have had a few buzz me pretty good while shooting, the fish out here are used to eating swords and tuna bigger than them so they can get pretty sporty. I am still on the hunt for Great Whites and will start making trips east of the island in the coming month to try and chum one up...Hope all is good on your end...Will keep you updated on a hopefull Sept. and Oct. with some big fall sharks.

RGRDS,
Bryce

Snopes.com-Busting Shark Stories Wide Open

Another day another 15 emails from our shark blog fans with the following story. For the record this shark ain't what you think:

Hey Shark Divers,

Have you seen this?! Holy Crap!

OCEANSHORES, WASHINGTON
While the ocean vessel 'Dawn Raider' was commercial fishing for dogfish, this Great White Shark was hooked in the mouth.

It only resisted slightly for 15 mins before it came up alongside the boat to have a look; just long enough for one of the crew members to slip a rope around its tail! And that's when the fun began. The Shark took off towing the 42-foot fishing boat backwards through the water at an estimated 7 knots. Just like in JAWS, the boat was taking on water over the stern and the crew watched in horror as the shark would actually jump completely out of the water at times. This went on for an hour before the shark finally drowned.

She weighed in at 1,035 pounds. It is suspected she followed a weak El Nino current into local Washington waters in search of food. Although mid- 60 degree water is considered ideal for these sharks, the larger ones can tolerate water in the low 50s.

Editors Note: Snopes.com busted this story wide open back in 2004...and that's not a Great White it's a "Honkin' Big Mako".

New Shark Dive Site-Nantucket Island

We got the following email from a new shark diving outfit in Nantucket. For our blog fans on the east coast, your shark diving choices have just grown:

Hey Patric,

I'll be conducting shark dives here in Nantucket every week until the season ends in October. Here are pic from our dive on Sat.

I'm operating on a 23' Grady White privately owned boat. We average 10+ blues a day,1-3 makos, and occasional sightings of dusky, tiger, hammers, and threshers. With this years water temps it is possible to dive in 65 -78 degree water in one day so their is opportunity for multiple species. The big players are Blues & Makos. Been doing this for along time and have the operation down to a science. Like I said we run anywhere from 15 - 30 miles offshore depending on the viz...sharks are guaranteed with us!

The pictures attached are from our dive last Saturday, I will keep you guys updated with new material after each trip.

Much Thanks Shark Diver,
Bryce Rohrer
Contacts
Phone: (203)-273-1748
E-Mail: bryce.rohrer@gmail.com
BLOG: www.brohrer.blogspot.com

Shark Diving East Coast-Sea Turtle Charters

Sea Turtle Charters can get you where the shark action is this summer on the East coast. Home to graceful Blues and Mako's these guys have become quite popular:

"You missed some makos and blues yesterday, they were all over the cage," mumbled a still seasick Noelle Hancock. Noelle is a writer friend of mine whom I invited along due to her interest in conquering a fear (sharks) and because of how she looks in a bikini (good).

Full story

Never Piss Off A Mako Shark

There are several reasons you might consider not pissing off a Mako Shark.

Number One: These critters are less than forgiving when it comes to those who add baits to hooks for the express purpose of killing them.

Enter a young fisherman from Australia this week (where else). Seems that he, along with his jolly crew of fellow beer fueled miscreants, failed the "How to Handle a Pissed-Off Mako 101 Class".

Shark Attacks Australian Fisherman on Boat Deck

BRISBANE, Australia – A 200 pound 10 foot- mako shark attacked a fisherman on his boat deck, biting him on the leg after the man reeled it in while fishing off Australia's east coast Sunday, an official said.

Witnesses say the shark immediately "whipped around" and bit into his right calf after he stepped on its tail. "They could not release the shark from the leg at all until they had cut the shark's head off".

As huge shark fans ourselves we cannot help but point out the obvious here. For those of you who need it spelled out here's the 1-2-3:

1. Don't fish for sharks
2. Don't drink beer and fish for sharks
3. Never step on a 10 foot Mako