Isla Guadalupe - Wildcoast Conservation Media

Richard Theiss will be on our next expedition to Isla Guadalupe with an interesting group this week:

I will be offline for a few days as I will be returning to Isla Guadalupe with Shark Diver aboard the Horizon to film great white sharks for WildCoast.net, Televisa SA, and Telemundo.

WildCoast.net is a California- and Mexico-based ocean conservation group that tackles a wide variety of ocean conservation issues but with a decidedly Spanish-speaking emphasis. That gets them involved in issues ranging from Baja, Mexico throughout Latin America and anywhere worldwide where a Spanish-speaking perspective can be effective. Televisa SA is one of Mexico's largest broadcasters and Telemundo services Hispanic U.S. and Mexican communities and all through Latin America.

WildCoast.net is working with these broadcasters to promote stories about shark conservation and shark ecotourism. While there is not a major market for shark fins in Latin America, there are commercial operations that engage in shark finning to meet Asian demand. Within their borders, there is primarily a limited demand for shark meat and then there is the greater lost tourism dollars from shark ecotourism when compared to the value of a dead shark. Along the coast of Baja, juvenile white sharks are caught for their meat and teeth; because of the white shark's slow rate of reproduction, this can have a profound impact on overall populations.

Whether or not a country is a major consumer of shark products, it's important that everyone understands the critical and necessary role that sharks play as ocean predators and scavengers.

The oceans can't do without them.

Hawaii - Shark Task Force - Political Embarrassment?

They say the best way to know someone is by the "the company they keep".

We have been covering the ongoing battle in Hawaii to save two shark diving operations from overzealous politicians who are using the fear of sharks to sell a homemade political agenda.

That agenda will turn 40,000 shark tourists away from Oahu at a time where tourism dollars are at an all time low, in the worst economy Hawaii has seen in the past 40 years.

Here's the good news. After face to face meetings with Rep.Gene Ward in Hawaii last week, the anti-shark diving mandate from his office has been clarified from a complete "ban on all shark tours" to a "ban on chumming" which will culminate in proposed legislation that local operators can get behind and work with politicians for win-win tourism solutions.

Rep.Gene Ward should be thanked for taking this stand. It shows he is a politician that understands all points of issues and someone who is pro tourism, even if the touristic endeavor is "out of the box".

40,000 shark diving tourists and the money they pump into Oahu's economy is a hard number to work against politically - some will try, but the old argument of "it's the economy stupid," trumps most agendas.

But back to the "company you keep" discussion.

Rep.Gene Wards office is also the home of the Shark Task Force and it's close affiliation with two virulent anti-shark diving websites Safe Waters Hawaii and Stop Shark Feeding Hawaii. These websites feature an overflowing bacchanalia of misinformation, shark attack hype, and toxic quotes from some of the worst sources on the Internet.

A quick look at Safe Waters Hawaii shows an affiliation with the Pelagic Shark Foundation out of Santa Cruz and here's where "the company you keep" begins to embarrass Rep. Gene Wards offices:

Santa Cruz Shark Research Group Draws Big Fine

June 21, 2003

Release from: By Clarissa Aljentera The Monterey Herald

Helping an entertainment company film great white sharks has landed a hefty fine for a Santa Cruz-based research group.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Friday that it has levied a $21,000 fine against the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation for violating its research permit while helping a film company obtain footage of a shark near Año Nuevo north of Santa Cruz.

The spot is within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Ray Torres of NOAA said the violation was discovered last August after the Discovery Channel aired the shark video, which was filmed in 2001.

"We would never do anything to hurt a shark," Sean Van Sommeran, executive director of the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation, said Friday. "In our permit it says a film crew can visit us. We followed standard operating procedure."

NOAA said Van Sommeran's group violated two terms of its research permit when it allowed Shark Entertainment to accompany foundation researchers into the sanctuary to film sharks for entertainment purposes. The company was producing "Air Jaws II," a film about great white shark behavior in South Africa, Australia and California.

The foundation was also fined for using a "Hollywood mock-up" of a seal to lure sharks. The permit forbids use of lures in connection with a media venture.

"It was a violation of sanctuary rules," said Torres, a special agent for NOAA.

Although the film was shot in October 2001, it wasn't publicly aired until 2002. Torres said phone calls from researchers and shark enthusiasts helped alert the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Torres is unsure whether the Pelagic Shark Research Foundation's permit will be revoked but there could be more restrictions placed on the foundation.

The Pelagic Shark Foundation received a permit in 1999, primarily to be used for tagging, behavioral observation and photo identification of white sharks in the area.

Rep.Gene Wards office should reconsider all affiliations with anti-shark diving websites and web pages that feature groups that may cause his office political embarrassment now and in the near future - including staff members from his offices who are working with these websites.

Guadalupe Island - "Mau" takes a a hit

One of Isla Guadalupes seasonal male sharks "Mau" is well know to the operators here.

As a younger male he's at risk of aggression by larger males on site and this week learned a valuable life lesson.

As shark diver Stephanie Seely shared with us in an email today, life for a Great White shark at the island can be harsh sometimes:

Ouch! Poor Mau!

I treated my husband and myself to a fun week of shark diving as a 40th birthday gift for him. We had an amazing time! The crew was fantastic…we could not have had better service!

The shark viewing was just as awesome. We saw about 10 different sharks and at one point, we had up to 5 sharks in the water at the same time! One of the sharks was badly injured and Martin (Horizon Dive Operations) thought it was Mau. From my perspective underwater, it looked like he had been bitten. From Martin’s perspective, above the water, it looked like a boat had gotten him…turns out it might be both. What a bad week for poor Mau!

Here are some photos of him and his injuries.

Although the wounds seemed extensive and relatively fresh, Mau appeared to be strong and I am sure he will survive his ordeal.

Thanks for an amazing trip!

Steph and Chris Seely

Moments like these...

We could all use a few more of, as free divers basked in this remarkable encounter with Humpbacks in the South Pacific:

This is the unbelievable moment a diver came face to face with a 50ft female humpback whale, as she swam in the South Pacific.

Cameraman Marco Queral, who has dedicated the last 17 years of his life to ocean photography, looked awe inspiringly small, as he dived along side one of great giants of our seas.

More images.

Isla Guadalupe - August 2009 - Shark City

The crew of Shark Diver have had a busy month. Most of our crew are at Guadalupe island with our divers, others are also at the island on "special projects" this year.

After a noticeably slow start to the 2009 shark season - the first in eight years out here - it would seem we're back in business with typical animal numbers and encounters each day.

When we get emails from divers like this one, we know 2009 is once again going to be a stellar year:

Good afternoon Guys,

I'd like to thank you for an incredible experience with Shark Diver. The Horizon staff were phenomenal and went above and beyond their duties to make me (all of of us I hope) feel safe and prepared for what was to come. Jeff "The Deckhand" and Mark "The Greenhorn" made the experience seem as if I grew up them and they were buddies of mine sharing another adventure with me.

Mark's choice of menu and skillful cooking kept my appetite more than satisfied and I can't even imagine what the trip would've been like without his help with my motion sickness. Martin's expertise in both water/scuba equipment and jokes let me know if anything unexpected happened, he was ready... and some. Spencer and Cary kept us company when they could and I'm grateful they were able to get us there and back safely.

I would like to be notified of other adventures Shark Diver provides in the future. Please keep me posted. Thanks again so much!!!

Sincerely,

Isidore Rodriguez
A Very Satisfied Customer

Goblin girl on... a mysterious fin!

Last week I got an e-mail from two sport fishermen who had been fishing on the west coast of Sweden, quite near the Norwegian border. They were fishing for Atlantic mackerel when a fin showed up. They managed to snap a few shots before the dark shadow disappeared. The question now is: what is it? Some say shark other whale... Most people doesn't even dare do hazard a guess! So... what's your opinion? Let me know!

Richard Theiss - Talking Shark Policy With Politicians

Richard Theiss, filmmaker, producer, and blue blogger, has been a tireless champion for the global shark diving industry. Using his latest pro-shark, pro-industry film, Island of the Great White Shark as an educational tool Richards work continues to benefit the industry:

CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY MEMBERS SPONSOR SCREENING

Sacramento, California, August 18, 2009 – California Assembly members Nathan Fletcher (R, 75th Assembly District) and Jared Huffman (D, 6th Assembly District) will be sponsoring a special screening/discussion of RTSea Productions’ Island of the Great White Shark for invited members of the State Assembly and Senate on Wednesday August 19, 2009 at the State Capitol.

The award-winning documentary film is a comprehensive look at the great white sharks of Isla Guadalupe, Baja, exploring the true nature of these critically important animals and the ongoing scientific research intended to secure their survival. Following the screening, RTSea filmmaker Richard Theiss, world-renown shark expert Dr. Peter Klimley from UC Davis, and eco-tourism operator Greg Grivetto from Horizon Charters, will discuss and field questions about the film, the important conservation and eco-tourism issues facing these ocean predators, and what the future of these animals means to California.

“These are absolutely magnificent creatures living on a razor’s edge of possible extinction. And there are some very dedicated people working tirelessly to prevent that. This is a story that needed to be told because their fate can have an impact on California, ranging from tourism and fishery economies to fragile marine ecosystems,” says Richard Theiss, RTSea Productions, executive producer and cinematographer.

Theiss has filmed the great white sharks that migrate in the fall to Isla Guadalupe for over five years. During that time, he not only completed the documentary, Island of the Great White Shark, but also became aware of the plight of these ocean predators and how their future is tied to environmental, conservation, and tourism issues between both California and Mexico. Relying on assistance from Dominique Cano-Stoco, Associate Director of Government Relations, UC San Diego, initial contact with several California legislators proved there was positive interest regarding the issues, which has led to Assemblymembers Fletcher and Huffman taking an active role in arranging this screening/discussion in addition to proposing other measures.

“Of all the animals in our planet, sharks are among the most recognizable, yet they remain remarkably misunderstood. Island of the Great White Sharks packages a message of science education and ocean conservation inside quality entertainment and cinematography. As an outdoorsman and as a surfer in particular, I appreciate that this film shows the truth—that sharks are critical players in maintaining balance in our marine ecosystems. The cause of conservation is important, and I am happy to use this event to encourage continued learning about these iconic creatures and smart steps to protect their place in our world,” said Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher.

"This film illustrates the importance of international cooperation in wildlife conservation, including the need for better understanding and appreciation of the vital role this unique species plays in the ocean ecosystem. Wildlife conservation and eco-tourism are also major contributors to California's economy, and for that and many other reasons deserve our support and encouragement, said Assemblymember Jared Huffman."

Following on the hype and hysteria of Discovery Channel’s annual Shark Week television programming, this event plans to present the facts regarding a critically important and highly misunderstood shark. The film highlights the value of shark eco-tourism and the importance of conservation, while the discussion will bring out the need for cooperation between California and Mexico’s regulatory agencies involved with eco-tourism, research, wildlife conservation and protection of threatened species.

The screening and follow up discussion will take place in Room 126 of the State Capitol from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Those wishing to attend or to arrange interviews with the participants should contact Heather Koszka in Assemblyman Fletcher’s office at 916-319-2075.

About RTSea Productions

RTSea Productions, based in Irvine, California, (www.rtsea.com) is dedicated to capturing nature and underwater images that will impress and move viewers to preserve and protect our precious natural resources – above and below the waves. RTSea has provided footage for National Geographic, Discovery, Animal Planet, Google Earth, Aquarium of the Pacific, and others.

# # #

Africa - White shark cage diving permits

The Department of Environmental Affairs in Africa will commence with the application process for boat-based whale watching and shark cage diving operating permits on Thursday 27 August 2009 as stipulated in the Government Gazette published on Friday 14 August 2009.

The policies on Boat-Based Whale and Dolphin Watching and White Shark Cage Diving gazetted last year in 2008 are aimed at providing and improving regulatory and compliance frameworks in both sectors, growing both sectors through the allocation of a greater number of permits and transforming the industries.

Permits will be allocated under section 13 of the Marine Living Resources Act (MLRA) for a maximum period of one year. Successful permit holders will be re-allocated their permits each year for five years from the date of the first allocations, provided that they fully complied with permit conditions.

Complete Story

Rep Gene Ward - Political Tourism Killer

When Rep Gene Ward started sending one sided, anti-tourism flyers (click image) to the general public in Oahu for "staged town hall meetings" he forgot to add these statistics.

Oahu, Hawaii is currently suffering through it's worst tourism declines since the Great Depression.

Rep Gene Ward wants to hurt the economy further by halting 40,000 annual tourists from seeing sharks from cages.

Is this the face of a politician who is in touch with the realities on the ground?

VISITOR ARRIVAL DECLINES

The number of visitors arriving in Hawaii by air in October with the percentage change from the same month last year:

	VISITORS	PCT.
Domestic	190,215	-15.9%
International	122,923	-8.9%
Total	493,506	-13.5%
Overall total	* 511,518	-13.5%
by island
Oahu	313,138	-13.3%
Kauai	75,119	-25.9%
Lanai	6,404	-29.7%
Maui	147,977	-20.5%
Molokai	4,672	-35.9%
Big Island	96,366	-19.7%

* Includes passengers arriving by ship

Source: Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism

District 9 - It's got da critters!

As you are aware this blogs love of cephalopods knows few boundaries. When were not talking about sharks these critters are high on the coverage list.

Naturally when a new film arrives featuring "crabby alien cephalopods", we had to take a gander. We were not disappointed at what we saw. For all the right reasons go see District 9:

Shark Conservation - As easy as "starting something"

A note to all those in the shark diving industry. Sharks are under assault, and we will lose them unless we push back on every front and in every region.

While many industry folks support global efforts to protect and save sharks, funneling money into front line NGO's - we should be looking to our own dive sites. To the animals we know intimately, to the places where we make our living from. There are no better places to begin outreach and education, in fact, this is where we begin.

Here's a great example.

This blog has harped on this message since it's inception. Regional shark conservation is our obligation, not our burden. We start saving sharks by "starting something" in our own backyards.

It can be a website, a research effort, a photo id program. There are many of you who have lead this effort, and to those few Kudos. There are also many more who publicly decry the taking of sharks and yet, do nothing coherent.

It all starts with "One".

Tomorrow, be that "One".

Isla Guadalupe Research and Fund

Fiji - Evolving Shark Tourism

Shark tourism is a $300 million dollar worldwide industry. Done right, shark tourism has long lasting positive effects on local economies, shark conservation, and regional fisheries.

Fiji has been at the forefront of the evolution of commercial shark diving thanks to the tireless efforts of a few industry visionaries who pushed for change.

Worldwide, shark tourism efforts run the complete spectrum from "business only models" where the sharks are the subject of for profit enterprise, to a newer breed of operation that includes shark research, conservation and outreach.

Change to any industry comes slowly and is lead by risk takers and industry movers.

As a template for sites like Tiger Beach, Bahamas the set aside Shark Reef Marine Reserve Fiji model is in need a few regional champions.

Welcome to industry change.

Welcome to Fiji (click image)

Rep Gene Ward - When Politicians Kill Tourism

This is the actual promotional flyer put out by Rep Gene Wards office in Hawaii this week.

It is one sided, anti-tourism, anti-shark diving and designed for one purpose only - to inflame an already angry populace (click image).

"Should Shark Tours be banned? If so How so?"

This is not the face of balanced tourism discussions. This is political theater, stoking an already angry mob to further anger and distrust of two operations in Hawaii that have been on the forefront of shark tourism in the region for the past 10 years.

Rep Ward is a savvy politician, like recent health care town hall debates across the country he knows what buttons to push and how to work the crowd. The people he has brought to these town hall meetings he is calling "his constituents," hoping to use their anger as justification and a shield for killing shark tourism in Hawaii.

Unfortunately the anti-shark diving sentiment being raised by Rep Wards efforts and staff has gone past coherent discussion and is now a full fledged witch hunt of epic proportions. In the long multi-million dollar history of tourism in Hawaii no single politician has gone after small business owners with this kind of directed public anger and mistrust. Using the fear of sharks three nautical miles off the mainland as his "wedge issue".

All is not lost.

The industry has seen this kind of effort before. A quick look into Rep Gene Wards political career shows a politician who sees tourism vision for Hawaii, as in his support for Spaceports on the islands.

We're pretty sure Rep Ward is not completely anti-tourism, as he is presiding over the worst tourism economy in the past 40 years with Hawaii suffering a 25% loss in revenues since 2008.

What is needed in Hawaii right now is rational discussion not political theatre. Meetings with officials and operators to define shark tourism in Hawaii and abide by hard and fast rules and regulations that keep 10,000 shark diving tourists coming back to Hawaiian waters year after year.

Miss Universe® Contestants Visit Bimini Sands Resort & Marina

Shark Free Marinas supporter and member Bimini Sands hosts Miss Universe® contestants this week:

Bimini, Bahamas (PRWEB) August 13, 2009 -- This past weekend several fortunate contestants of the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant paid a visit to the island of Bimini as part of the events leading up to the competition on August 23rd.

A total of twenty contestants from around the globe were welcomed to Bimini including Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Ghana, Great Britain, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Solvenia, South Africa, Spain and Sweden.

The Miss Universe competitors attended a number of cultural activities on the island and ended the day with an excursion to Bimini Sands Resort & Marina, www.biminisands.com.

There they were picked up by the Bimini Sands Magic Bus, a tourist favorite with its colorful neon paint scheme. After a scenic tour aboard the Magic Bus the contestants arrived at the picturesque Bimini Beach Club. At the Beach Club they danced to live music by the local band Prime Time. The Bimini Sands resort staff even got in on the action and led the contestants in a number of Bahamian dances. The Miss Universe party was also treated to delectable cuisine from the Beach Club Restaurant, with the fresh Sushi Bar being a big hit. Rounding out the event was a visit to the popular Mackey's Sand Bar for a little R&R before leaving the island.

Bimini Sands wishes them the best of luck in the upcoming pageant and hopes to see them in the future. These lovely ladies will always be welcome on Bimini.

About Bimini Sands Resort & Marina

Bimini Sands Resort & Marina is located on the island of Bimini in the Bahamas, just 50 miles from the US. The full service resort features luxury one and two bedroom suites and protected deepwater marina. Nestled on a picturesque Bahamian beach, all suites have direct ocean or marina views. Amenities include the Petite Conch Cafe, Mackey's Sand Bar, the Beach Club Restaurant & Sushi Bar, poolside Tiki Bar, the Bimini Nature Trail, two pools, tennis courts and a lovely white sand beach. The resort maintains a full service Recreation & Activities Center that specializes in guided eco-tours such as snorkeling, sea kayaking, shark encounters, nature walks, boat tours and more. The Recreation & Activities Center was recently nominated for a prestigious Cacique Award for sustainable tourism by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

Bimini Sands Marina is a proud member of the Shark Free Marinas Initiative.

Contact
Frank Cooney Jr.
Bimini Sands Resort & Marina
www.biminisands.com
Bimini, Bahamas
1-242-347-3500

Local sport fishing company's employee figures in shark "beat down" video

The power of new media and You Tube to effect conservation change has been well known. Savvy NGO's and conservationists have been using this format to "spread the message" cheaply, organically, and effectively.

Another, often overlooked aspect of this new media is enforcement. Video's posted to You Tube and picked up by social networking groups that highlight misdeeds with shark at the hands of fishermen, commercial operations, and the general public lead to effective change as well.

No one, it seems, wants to be caught with a viral video highlighting bad things with sharks.

We live in a new and exciting media times.

This week another example of negative/positive shark conservation media from Canada. Fortunately for the company involved they pulled the offending video in time to defuse a much larger outcry, but not quickly enough to make the daily news:

Sarah Douziech, Westerly News

A local sport fishing company has disciplined an employee after an online video depicting him smacking a dogfish on a ship's deck and throwing it overboard surfaced on CTV news this week.

The video, called "Ucluelet July 25. 2009 Mud Shark Beat Down," was posted to the popular video website YouTube. Brian Clarkson, manager of the Canadian Princess Resort in Ucluelet, said he saw the news report and followed up with an investigation at work because the man in the video is on one of the resort's boats and is wearing a sweatshirt with the resort's logo.

Complete Story

Shark Conservation Messaging, Fiji, Imagine

We have been continually impressed with the ongoing commercial shark diving and conservation efforts of Beqa Adventure Divers in Fiji. They have been innovative leaders in the community.

From set aside regional shark reef reserves, to refusing Shark Porn in film and television, they often do what is right, rather than what is easy.

In our industry you lead by example.

This week we want to highlight BAD on a recent shark conservation PSA. Once again setting the bar for conservation messaging by a commercial shark diving operator - this video is short, visually stunning, and meaningful to a broad range of viewers.

Watching this clip you cannot help but imagine the force multiplier effect of 500 similar PSA's featuring worldwide sites and guest speakers from the global shark diving community.

Like we said many months ago in a post “Noblesse Oblige" this video represents the finest example of that ethic. Operators on the front lines of an issue taking a stand for what is right, for the betterment of the entire shark diving community and for the sharks themselves:

L.A Times - Tiger Shark

"Can you keep a secret?"

That was the question Steve Blair asked me several months ago. Steve is a good friend and Assistant Curator at the Long Beach Aquarium.

When not fly fishing some of California's finest blue ribbon streams Steve is putting together the unique shark programs at the aquarium.

The "big secret" was a new Tiger shark that was in seclusion for a summer debut, the only Tiger in the continental USA on display.

As you can tell I kept the secret - hard to do with a blog that enjoys 25k reader a month. This month the little female Tiger was introduced to the public and she's a great little shark.

L.A Times

Tiger shark. A voracious predator known for traveling the world's oceans and consuming everything in its way: smaller sharks, boat cushions, license plates, copper wire, shipwrecked sailors.

But on a recent Tuesday, the new 5-foot-long tiger shark at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach refused to even acknowledge a chunk of restaurant-grade ahi tuna dangled in front of its broad snout.

Complete Story

A Reminder - Sharks Are Predators

By default public Aquariums educate and entertain. Charismatic megafauna, like Tiger sharks and Hammerheads are becoming frequent visitors to aquarium collections.

This week, the children visiting the Georgia Aquarium discovered the complete range of shark behaviors, much to the obvious shock of the parents and one very unlucky stingray. Warning Graphic:

Great White - Oregon - Sad News

DEPOE BAY, Ore. -- KATU News has "quite a fish tale" from the Oregon Coast.

KATU viewer Zak Retherford sent us photos after his unusual day on the water at Depoe Bay. Clearly pictured is a great white shark.

A YouTube video shows the shark being dragged ashore and displayed for onlookers (CAUTION, video is bloody in some sections).

Retherford said he had just finished salmon fishing when another boat came in, dragging this 12-foot-long shark. It had been tangled in a crab pot line and was presumed dead.

However, the shark sprung to life in the parking lot pictured, thrashing around and almost biting someone. It eventually died.

Cornwall Cage Diving Operators Association

A new association is being set up to monitor operators who run shark cage diving in Cornwall. Since 2005 locals and visitors have been able to go cage diving with blue sharks. It's hoped it'll ensure high standards in this new type eco-tourism.

Blue shark cage diving first started in Cornwall in 2005. It was set up by Richard Peirce, who is an acknowledged expert on sharks.

In 2006 he set up Shark Cornwall to promote shark eco-tourism in Cornwall and the rest of the UK and to increase public awareness of sharks in British waters.

Richard says: "We're very keen that people who are going to do this should learn how to do it from somewhere. There is only two ways to get involved in something new. One is trial and error and the other is by having someone tell you how to do it. Trial and error is a very dangerous thing to do in a game like this."

Complete Story

VIMS Shark Research Program - 1.5 Million

How to get funding for shark research - ask for an earmark. Source Washington Watch please vote for this earmark.

Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-1) requests $1,500,000 for:

National Shark Research Consortium/Virginia Institute of Marine Science Route 1208 Greate Road
Gloucester Point, VA 23062

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Shark Research Program is the longest continuously running shark assessment program in the US. The VIMS program is part of the National Shark Research Consortium (NSRC) of four research institutions, which conducts research on sharks and related fishes in order to provide information to the National Marine Fisheries Service to better manage and conserve these important species. The NSRC has been funded by Congress as part of the NMFS budget under Highly Migratory Species.

Previous research has chronicled the serious decline worldwide of sharks and their relatives due to overfishing and habitat destruction. Some species have been listed as endangered species under the US Endangered Species Act or by the IUCN. Studies have shown that apex predators are essential to maintaining the diversity and productivity of marine ecosystems. The NSRC Highly Migratory Shark Fishery Research Program provides NOAA/NMFS with multi-regional biological research and the information necessary for effective management and conservation of shark fishery resources.

Consortium projects involve NMFS-related research activities required for assessing the status of shark stocks, managing U.S. shark fisheries, and helping our nation take the leading role in worldwide conservation and management of shark populations.

Shark Diver

Stephen Colbert - Sharks Love You

Think of him as the "Dixie Chicks for Sharks". When Stephen Colbert starts talking about Shark Week you know something has gone horribly wrong in the programming department.

As we pointed out last week "Discovery Networks cannot sell fear and loathing of sharks...and then push for conservation."

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Human Week
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Tasers

Kudos to Chum Slick for the find.

Chlamydoselachus africana

David Ebert and Leonard Compagno.

"Chlamydoselachus africana, a new species of frilled shark from southern Africa
(Chondrichthyes, Hexanchiformes, Chlamydoselachidae)"

Abstract

Frilled sharks (Chondrichthyes, Hexanchiformes, Chlamydoselachidae), long
believed to be a monotypic family and genus, consisting of a single wide
ranging species, Chlamydoselachus anguineus (Garman, 1884), is now known to
contain at least two species. A new species of frilled shark,
Chlamydoselachus africana, sp. nov., is described from five specimens
collected from southern Africa. The new species, although difficult to
distinguish externally from the well known C. anguineus, differ internally
by the structural differences in the chondrocranium, lower total vertebral
and spiral valve counts, and pectoral-fin radial counts. The new species,
Chlamydoselachus africana, is known from off southern Angola, Namibia, and
South Africa.

Zootaxa 2173: 1–18 (2009).

Amusing.

2010 International White Shark Symposium

RESETTING RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES

7-10 FEBRUARY 2010, HONOLULU, HAWAII

The Organizing Committee invites participation in the 2010 International White Shark Symposium: Resetting Research and Conservation Objectives.

The symposium will be held 7-10 February at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, on Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. Our understanding of this magnificent apex predator has been hindered by its large size and uncommon occurrence.

Through technological advances and sheer perseverance, white sharks are suddenly revealing some aspects of their secret lives. What was once an exceptionally difficult animal to study in the field has now been thoroughly tracked moving between coastal and pelagic habitats. What was once an impossible animal to maintain in captivity has now successfully been displayed in public. These major advances define the purpose of this meeting: a gathering of leading white shark researchers from around the world, to share the latest findings and discuss how they should influence modern research and conservation goals.

Time will be dedicated to round table discussions of important issues, including hotspots, cage diving, modern threats, research ethics and conservation policies. All participants are encouraged to submit manuscripts for what will be an important dedicated book of the proceedings.

Guadalupe Island - Shark Conservation Video

Stunning images of great white sharks at Isla Guadalupe, Baja from RTSea Productions.

This video was compiled for Google Earth's new ocean layer. "Glimpses of Beauty" presents the most majestic and misunderstood ocean predator as it truly is: graceful and powerful - and critical to maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem.

To learn more, visit Google Earth's new ocean layer and visit www.rtsea.com.

Reinventing Sea Monsters

Douglas Kiesling - Whale Shark Video

In a controversial video bound to raise a few eyebrows underwater photographer Douglas Kiesling takes us into the world of unregulated shark encounters:

Here is the video from this past weekend while I was out on location in the Gulf of Mexico with our Southwest Florida Weather Paparazzi, Brian. We were working on a Coral Reef video project when we encountered a pair of the largest sharks in the world, Whale Sharks. The first Whale Shark was about 25 feet in length and the second Whale Shark was at least 30 feet in length.

The most amazing thing that happened was that when the group of divers we were with in the water got near the larger Whale Shark, it stopped and let everyone rub its back and head. It acted as if the divers were there to clean it and must have thought we were a cleaning station. This gave everyone that was in the water with the larger Whale Shark a once in a lifetime experience since this was out in the wild and is an extremely rare event.

In the video below, I shot the footage in the water while Brian was on the boat and shot the topside footage. That is until put his camera away and jumped into the water with the rest of us to swim with the gentle giants.

Guadalupe Island Mystery - Leachia dislocata

The great Guadalupe Island Squid Mystery seems to be solved with an email we received this morning and it looks like we might be contributing to science.

Aloha Annie et al.,

The squid is Leachia dislocata . It is the third arms that are elongated, not the fourth but this is difficult to tell from the photograph. The squid looks (pigmentation) like it is close to maturity. I hope that it was preserved. It is a valuable specimen and should be sent to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (c/o Dr. Eric Hochberg).

Best wishes,
Dick

Editors Note: The specimen was saved, and then thrown out last night as it was sitting in the chefs freezer on board the MV Horizon. The good news is the crew went "dumpster diving" as soon as we called and our little Leachia dislocata has been brought back for science...in the nick of time.

Science ain't pretty sometimes but the crew of the MV Horizon and Shark Diver will go to almost any lengths to help it along.

The Paxton Brothers - Shark Fishing and Conservation

Shark conservation efforts typically run the extremes, like many complex user and socially emotional animal issues. Within the conservation community stances like The Humane Society "no take" to other "catch and release" groups seem at times at odds with the overall issue of saving sharks.

One duo, the Paxton Brothers, take a middle road. Acknowledging the rights of fishermen to catch sharks, at the same time pushing for strong catch and release methods and tagging protocols.

Change begins when you recognise the validity of your conservation subject to do what they do.

We support the Paxton Brothers for the middle road in shark conservation. Changing habits is a long term investment in time, outreach, and understanding.

Shark Diver

Hawaii Shark Diving - Countering the Mob

Got the following conservation website announcement when we arrived back in port this week from the folks at Hawaii Shark Encounters.

Coming back from months of negative pitch forks and flaming brands anti-shark diving sentiment in Hawaii will be hard...but they are officially on the right track:

Why Sharks Matter

Isla Guadalupe - Name That Cephalopod

We're back from the Island of the Great White Sharks - Isla Guadalupe. As the only shark diving vessel on site for the entire week it was a unique experience having this remote and pristine island all to ourselves.

We'll be writing up a full trip report this week once the crew has had a chance to get settled.

Right now it's this critter we're most interested in.

On day three of our five day expedition this little squid drifted past our cages and was scooped up by an alert diver.

Absolutely translucent with internal organs on display (click image for larger view) this squid came with bioluminescent gel packs on the undersides of it's eyes - one very interesting cephalopod.

We're giving away a DVD copy of the Island of the Great White Shark to the first person to positively ident this critter.

The tail fin arrangement was also very cool.

O.K, we'll also throw in a Shark Diver hat and t-shirt as well. We have a boatload of shark divers who want to know.

Goblin girl on... Malibu shark attack!

The movie "Malibu shark attack" has finally been shown on the Sy fy-channel. The project started out as "Goblin shark attack" but later changed name. The "monster" in this

B-movie is a goblin shark and I'm VERY curious to see it! Has anyone seen it yet?

Read more about it on Fangoria.

Gone Shark Diving - Isla Guadalupe 2009

We'll be offline for the next 5 days as the crew from Shark Diver, a few old friends, and some new ones sail off into the wide blue Pacific to meet with Great Whites of Isla Guadalupe.

THIS is what the entire year of 2009 means to us. Three glorious months of the worlds most stunnning human and animal interactions. Here's a trip report from 2008 to tide you over until we get back with a full update:

Trip Report:

Thought you might be interested in a few words about my recent return to Guadalupe. I tend to be rather wordy, but with everything that happened I'm not sure how to condense it.

We were haze gray and underway, bound for Isla Guadalupe on Saturday, SEP 27. Despite the cloud cover, our crossing was unusually calm. It set the stage for what was to be an interesting excursion. The cover didn't let up, and so we missed the usually spectacular Guadalupe sunrise that I remember from last year. It did make for a very atmospheric arrival at the island, with clouds clinging to the cliff sides. We geared up and hit the cages. Diving in the second group, my first sight of the sharks this year was from the surface about 15 minutes into the first rotation. I couldn't wait for my time in the cage!

The sharking was fairly quiet that first day. They made a few passes near the cage, but remained below the divers for the most part. But then, all the fishes were acting rather odd (okay, I didn't know that at the time, but the crew of the MV Islander enlightened me at the end of the day). As Luke stated, when the experienced crew of a fishing boat tells you that the fish are behaving strangely, you know that something must be up. Maybe it was the new moon, or maybe it was the cloud cover. Or maybe we just weren't that interesting that day. During one of the afternoon dives, I happened to look up to see a carcass floating just next to the cage. It turns out that someone had noticed the elephant seal carcass floating nearby, and arranged to have it towed to our boat. Needless to say, we were all interested in what this might bring. As it turns out, for that first day, not too much. One shark nosed around the carcass briefly, but seemed to lose interest and swam off. After the day's diving was concluded, we decided that the carcass was worth hanging on to for the night, despite the rather interesting aroma it brought to the deck. We all went to sleep wondering if it would be there in the morning.

Day 2 started early for me. I was out on the deck at about 0600 talking with the other early birds and waiting for breakfast (excellent as was every meal, thanks, Skippy!). I happened to be gazing toward the carcass (which had indeed survived the night), when suddenly a white pointer hit the 'head' of the dead seal. I can't possibly describe the power as the shark breached, and then arced over the seal. With a shout of 'Shark on the carcass!' I ran to grab my camera and wake up anyone still asleep. The shark circled the seal for about 10 or 15 minutes, and devoured everything except the entrails. Definitely one of the most incredible things I've ever seen. This set the stage for another interesting day of diving.

Once again the sharks were quiet, staying relatively deep. When the sharks were out of sight, we were treated to another amazing sight. Several yellow fin tuna took an interest in us, and in the hang baits. They put on a spectacular show, moving around at incredible speeds. I saw as many as four tuna around the cages when the sharks were away. Though I missed it, one diver saw a shortfin mako make a quick circuit beneath the cages before heading away. Divers also witnessed what might have been mating behavior, with a male great white nipping at the fins of a female. Definitely an interesting sight seeing the same, larger female submit to these attentions by rolling on her back under the Islander. The highlight for me, though, had to be the afternoon arrival of one of the largest sharks I've ever seen. She was 15 or 16 feet, and as big around as my Wrangler! It's strange how easily I forget about the girth of these animals. She moved gracefully around the cages, showing a modest interest in the hang baits. Comparing notes at the end of the day, we divers were fairly certain that this was Sarah, one of the known returnees to Guadalupe. Even Luke and Oscar thought this might have been she.

A quick digression. The opportunity for education on these expeditions is incredible! Last year we were treated to a presentation by Mauricio Hoyas, a doctoral student studying the feeding habits of great whites at Guadalupe. This year we were incredibly lucky to be joined by renowned shark researcher Dr.Oscar Sosa. I thought that I would wear out my welcome with Oscar, cornering him at every opportunity to discuss great whites and sharks in general. Mr. Sosa never seemed to grow weary of talking with me, or any my fellow divers, and graciously shared his great knowledge with all who were interested. Definitely another reason to do everything I can to continue diving with your operation.

A rapid change in weather, and the advent of a strong and very hot wind blowing over the island, forced us to change our anchorage during the evening. Day three got off to another quiet start, but Sarah's return and evident interest in the divers quickly cheered everyone. Exiting the cage after the expedition's last dive, I begged 'Daddy' Luke to stay out for just 10 more minutes. Sadly, we prepared for a return to Ensenada. After a brief sea tour of the island, we departed on seas that were, once again, unusually calm. Our journey home included flying fish, a lone blue shark on the surface, and a blue whale off in the distance. It almost made up for having to leave the island.

Though it's the norm for them, I still feel the need to comment on Luke and the crew of the MV Islander. Being lucky enough to return for the second year, I felt a kinship with the crew. And they were kind enough reciprocate. All behaved professionally at all times, and went out of their way to attend to the comfort of the divers. Friendly, knowledgeabe, hardworking... go ahead and throw out any other cliche because it will be true of this crew. From the wonderful meals to spending an evening on the bridge with Captian John (who indulged my need for a Monday Night Football fix by listening to the game with me), every aspect of my time on the ship was, once again, one of the most enjoyable times of my life. I'll continue to dive with sharkdiver.com as long as I can, and will plead with everyone to experience this at least once. See you at Tiger Beach!

Steve

Industry Response

Messaging the shark diving experience

Slowly but surely, expedition videos and images are changing on You Tube and other media sites. Shark diving messaging is something the industry should encourage as a conservation force multiplier.

Here's one example:

"Human and shark, who is the real predator of the sea? Almost 100 million sharks are killed by human every year because of shark fining."

Ensenada Fish Market, Mexico Y.O.Y

This is a re post from an ongoing impromptu shark conservation effort we're doing in Ensenada, Mexico.

As the 2009 commercial white shark season begins (T-minus 3 days) we'll be spending time in Ensenada and the fish market to see if measures we put in place last season had any effect on the take of juvenile white sharks here.

Post 2008

We have been keeping track of the Ensenada Fish Market for the past three years.

The issue here is the sale of white shark pups as "swordfish". We have been documenting each and every trip we take down to this market with images of the animals we find on site.

Typically we are seeing a minimum of up to 5 animals for sale at any given time. We also enjoy the local Baja Fish Tacos (non white shark) while we're here...if you have not yet had a Baja Fish Taco in Ensenada, go here first.

Over the years we have uncovered one family who are the prime shark fishery here. These are hard working folks who know where to find sharks and how to fish them. For them it's a tough livelihood-they barely make a living.

Where some people see a travesty, we see an opportunity. Very little is known about young of the year in Mexican waters. Monterey Bay Aquarium is leading the charge along with TOPP's and a small group from Mexico working the Sea of Cortez.

One of the primary goals for this fish market should be DNA sampling of these sharks. As a ready made sampling site-this fish market is more than the final destination for white sharks, it could also be useful to research.

Is this a Great White? - Part two

There's a hushed rumor floating around the sport shark fishing community in New Jersey about a recent sport take of the Great White during last months 29th annual South Jersey Shark Tournament.

This image has been attributed to the tournament.

Is it a juvenile white shark?

NOAA Proposes Measures To Rebuild Blacknose Populations

Underwater Times News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- NOAA’s Fisheries Service is proposing several measures to end overfishing and rebuild blacknose sharks and other shark populations. Nine public hearings will be held on the proposal, from New England to the Gulf of Mexico, in August and September. “Our latest stock assessment found that the blacknose shark is depleted and the rate of fishing, both directed and incidental, is unsustainable,” said Jim Balsiger, acting NOAA assistant administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service. “Blacknose sharks are vulnerable because they bear few young.

The proposed measures will help rebuild the species, an important part of the ecosystem in the south Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

Complete Story

Declassified - Russian Navy UFO Records

We KNEW something was going on in our oceans but it took a recently declassified report from Russia to confirm it.

Attention people of earth, your oceans are filled with UFO's:

The records dating back to soviet times were compiled by a special navy group collecting reports of unexplained incidents delivered by submarines and military ships. The group was headed by deputy Navy commander Admiral Nikolay Smirnov, and the documents reveal numerous cases of possible UFO encounters, the website says.

Vladimir Azhazha, former navy officer and a famous Russian UFO researcher, says the materials are of great value.

Read more

“Fifty percent of UFO encounters are connected with oceans. Fifteen more – with lakes. So UFOs tend to stick to the water,” he said.

On one occasion a nuclear submarine, which was on a combat mission in the Pacific Ocean, detected six unknown objects. After the crew failed to leave behind their pursuers by maneuvering, the captain ordered to surface. The objects followed suit, took to the air, and flew away.

Complete Story

Hawaii shark diving - Strange twist

Strange news coming from Hawaii and the battle over commercial shark diving. The announcement of a new shark show featuring Hawaii Shark Diving.

Is this new shark series the right time to feature out-of-cage encounters with sharks given the shear amount of negative press being levied against operators here?

"Hell's Kitchen" producer A. Smith and Co. is swimming with sharks for its next series.

The company is developing the project "Shark Boat," which revolves around the only company in America that allows people to free dive with sharks.

Docu-series is set inside Hawaii Shark Encounters, run by world-class free diver Stefanie Brendl. Show will focus on the struggles that Brendl and her staff face as they attempt to stay in business following the death of her boyfriend and business partner.

Brendl and Jimmy Hall launched Hawaii Shark Encounters in 2002; Hall, a Discovery Channel personality, died in May 2007 after a base jumping accident.

Show would follow Brendl as she takes divers outside of the cage to swim with sharks, as well as the interaction among her staff.

Hawaii Shark Encounters (which operates at least three miles off Hawaii shores) and another company have received scrutiny from some Hawaii lawmakers, who have expressed concern that the companies feed the sharks in order to attract them -- something the companies have denied.

According to the Honolulu Advertiser, a recent study by Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology researchers also said the shark-cage dive tours pose little risk to public safety.

A. Smith founder Arthur Smith will exec produce with Kent Weed; Frank Sinton is also an EP. A. Smith's other credits include "Kitchen Nightmares" and "I Survived a Japanese Game Show," as well as next month's "Crash Course."

Complete Post

Is this a Great White?

From FOX News what appears to be a Great White off the coast of Malibu, California this week.

Some are not so sure - some have never seen a white either.

We ask you - is this a Great White or not?