Shark Science - Run Over by Media

Last week we posted the Suns media hit on shark feeding behavior. The article likened all sharks on a general level to London's infamous "Jack the Ripper".

Typical shark media for the mainstream folks who often go to great lengths to instill a fear of sharks with the public.

What was not mentioned in our blog post was the origin of this media hit, a research paper by University of Miami's Neil Hammerschlag.

Here was the email we got today from Neil explaining how his research paper became the "shark topic de jour" this week:

Hi All,

This study is getting a lot of attention; however it is as misunderstood as sharks. Some media are sensationalizing/twisting the results of the study to sell papers. I hope readers will be more critical and seek out the real scientific paper.

In this study, a technique called geographic profiling (originally developed as a criminal investigation tool) was applied to analyze patterns of white shark predation on seals at Seal Island, in False Bay, South Africa.

Sharks hunt to eat. They are predators and seals are their prey. Serial killers have mental disorders and such disorders cannot be applied to animals. The study does not characterize sharks as serial killers in anyway, just that white sharks are more complex than we originally thought.

Sharks are constantly swimming, and unlike other animals they do not have the equivalent of a den, nest, or burrow. Therefore, establishing the existence (including location, size, and shape) of a search base or “centre of gravity” for a search pattern could provide important insight into their hunting behavior.

By applying geographic profiling, the study found that sharks are not mindless killers, but are in fact using sophisticated hunting strategies. The study found that sharks appeared to be hunting in an optimal manner geospatially. Sharks processed a well-defined anchor point or search base, but not where the chances of prey interception were greatest. This location may therefore represent a balance of prey detection, capture rates, and inter-shark competition.

The study also found that smaller sharks had more dispersed prey search patterns and lower kill success rates than larger sharks. This could mean that white sharks refine their search patterns with experience and learn to concentrate hunting efforts in locations with the highest probability of successful prey capture. It might also be that larger sharks competitively exclude smaller sharks from the best hunting areas.

The most important thing is conservation of these magnificent animals.

If you read the study published online today in the Journal of Zoology, I am sure you will find it very interesting.

For a better news story please visit:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8110000/8110246.stm

--

Neil Hammerschlag
University of Miami
Ph.D. Candidate, Marine Biology & Fisheries
Co-Director, South Florida Student Shark Program (SFSSP)
Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS)
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, Florida, 33149

E-mail: nhammerschlag@rsmas.miami.edu
O: 305.421.4356 F: 305.421.4600 C: 954.815.0920

Bucky Dennis - Shark Killer Media

This is all that is left of a record shattering, 1,060lb pregnant hammerhead - deliberately stalked and killed by Floridian fishing guide, Bucky Dennis.

Last week we suggested that this targeted kill went by without much noise. As it turns out we were wrong.

Regionally, fishermen, guides, and shark advocates came forth to say "no more". This is a good thing as the "times-are-a-changing" and dead record sharks are less than well received these days. Kudos to all who raised a voice and to Mote Marine labs for refusing to take the carcass.

In the end where ever you have records you'll have those who want to break those records. Be it fishing for pregnant hammerheads (these animals have a predictable pupping season and weigh more) or pogo'ing around the planet...backwards.

Articles like this weeks St.Petes Times set the tone for further discussion and greater awareness to "targeted kills" such as this. Record agencies like the IGFA who, in essence cause and sanction these kills year after year, should consider taking pregnant animals off the list. In fact an interesting clause to take away previous records if animals are found to be pregnant would stop this practice all together.

Bucky Dennis is only a symptom of a larger problem and one that ultimately has a solution within the IGFA.

Food for thought. Here's Bucky in action:

Murray the "Little Monster" - Op Ed

Well lookee here. Just when you think Floridians are incapable of any "nuanced thought" concerning sharks and conservation, along comes writer Ed Killer (seriously that's his name) and an Op Ed worthy of any shark conservation NGO:

The great shark debate: To kill or not to kill

Nothing generates a media sensation like a shark. A shark bite, a dead shark, a shark migration, aerial spinner sharks, Shark Week — ratings grabbers all.

This week, it was a shark caught by Aidan Murray Medley, 13. The young teen made NewsChannel 5 when word reached producers of his Tuesday catch of a 340-pound bull shark off Palm Beach. Last year, Medley also made the news when he reeled in a 551-pound bull shark.Both sharks were killed — brought in and hung at Sailfish Marina as trophy catches. Medley said he mounted last year's shark and will mount this one, too.

The news generated as much interest for its controversy as for its subject. Not only are we fascinated by terror-inducing man-eaters, but we love debating the ethics of when it's considered OK to kill one.

Complete Story


Editors Note: Parents, beware not letting your young sons meet girls. The results can sometimes be troubling, as is the case with young master Murray here.

After School Programs for "Little Monsters"

The State of Florida's - "State of Sharks" is at an all time low and we have been covering the decline.

As you know Florida banned all commercial shark diving in 2001, opening the door to 70's self styled shark killers, media seekers, and commercial tournaments.

This month thirteen year old Aidan Murray Medley reeled in another breeding aged shark for the media frenzy and a few moments of glory.

Young Aidan also wants to be a marine biologist when he grows up. For now though he's going after even bigger kills, claiming that the Great Hammerhead is next on his after school program "wish list".

Note to parents - have you considered team sports as a reasonable alternative for your sons continuing education?