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

Six Gill Shark: Rare Find

It's not every day you happen to be walking along the beach and discover a Six Gill Shark. Normally you find these critters at depths up to 1500' and greater.

The Six Gills we have encountered were typically shy, rare, and amazing animals to see in person. These ancient sharks have spiked and serrated teeth that rip and tear the meat off of whatever dead animal drifts down to the cold dark depths.

You can only imagine this guys surprise when a 9 foot beast washed up on his local beach this week:

"Poulsbo resident Andy Woodford was combing the beach for shells when he made the unusual find. The shark is an immature sixgill female, found with no signs of trauma or obvious cause of death."

Here's the whole story

Waiter,There's A Worm In My Salmon

A somewhat dis-gusting warning today about a parasitic worm that causes big problems in humans. You get these nasty critters from eating Salmon.

According to this diagram put out by the CDC-dolphins are in on it too. You should never trust a dolphin, dammit.

Anisakis simplex-In North America, anisakiasis is most frequently diagnosed when the affected individual feels a tingling or tickling sensation in the throat and coughs up or manually extracts a nematode (that's a live worm people).

In more severe cases there is acute abdominal pain, much like acute appendicitis accompanied by a nauseous feeling. Symptoms occur from as little as an hour to about 2 weeks after consumption of raw or undercooked seafood.

Here's the gross part:

"With their anterior ends, these larval nematodes from fish or shellfish usually burrow into the wall of the digestive tract occasionally they penetrate the intestinal wall completely".

What can you do to protect yourself?

1. Always cook your fish
2. Never buy fish on sale
3. Eat Kobe Beef

TED: If You Don't Know You Should

We know deepwater adventures like few others out there. When it comes to deepwater exploration legends like David Gallo and his talk about Celaphopods-who doesn't have 3 minutes to watch this:

Shark Handler

Japan: Whale Update "It Ain't Over"

As the old saying goes, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings"...the same is true apparently for this seasons Southern Ocean whale hunt.

As reported this week by Shu-Ching Jean Chen the Hong Kong-based staff writer at Forbes.com it looked like all was over with the factory ship Nisshin Maru leaving the operations area. In fact Japan officially announced to the entire world last week that they had stopped whaling.

Turns out that's just a ploy, you know, for the major media folks, bloggers, and others. Sneaky whalers indeed!

So, what's the real deal in the Southern Ocean these days?

If you can push past the non profit war mongering between Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace- here's their blogs from the front lines. When you cannot rely on the major media to give you the scoop go to the source, just be prepared to donate to the cause.

Greenpeace and here's Sea Shepherd's take.

Japan: Whale Hunt Causes Fashion Crisis

Tokyo (CMN)- Fashion editors from "The Tokyo Look Book" have declared a nationwide fashion emergency on the heels of Japans announcement and early recall of the entire southern whale hunting fleet.

"In an effort to increase sales of canned whale meat the government issued 4.2 million See No Evil-Double Happiness whale eating masks this winter" said Editor in Chief-Tomohiko Taniguchi, during a rushed press conference held at the Four Seasons Chinzanso Hotel.

"With the unexpected end to this seasons whale hunt, these whale eating masks will now sit idle in peoples kitchens. Already we are seeing inappropriate use of these masks with small children in playgrounds and in gyms nationwide".

Japans Prime Minister Fukuda issued the following statement, "The government is asking people to stay calm at this time. While our whaling fleet was unable to harvest enough whale meat this season-remain assured that our whaling fleet will continue it's hunt next year and you'll all get to use your whale eating masks".

The following underwater Onion was brought to you by Shark Diver. Whale Meat-the other, other, other red meat.

Japan: Whale Game Played Out

Japan conceded a rare defeat today and pulled it's processing ship Nisshin Maru out of the Southern Ocean whale hunt operations area.

Without a high tech factory ship to process whales from majestic sea born animals into fancy little cans- the ships that hunt them are next to useless.

"The Japanese government said Monday that its state-sponsored whaling fleet had stopped hunting after 10 days of harassment by the environmental activist groups Greenpeace and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary near Australia."

That's the good news.

The bad news is the Japan does not look like it will be giving up it's "Love of the Whale" anytime soon. So, we'll all be forced to watch the southern spring drama unfold again next year as whalers and the anti-whaling activists clash again over government-sponsored "scientific" whaling expeditions.

The final score for this year is:

Japan-300 whales
Sea Shepherd- 1 whale boat
Greenpeace- 2 whale boats

Shark Diver Featured at Aquarium of the Pacific

IRVINE, CA- A precarious population of great white sharks and the ongoing scientific research intended to secure their survival is the subject of Island of the Great White Shark, a just completed documentary film by RTSea Productions. The high definition video production will receive an exclusive V.I.P. premiere on January 22nd at the Aquarium of the Pacific, located in Long Beach, California.

The event highlights a three-year effort by filmmaker Richard Theiss to provide the first comprehensive look at the great white sharks found at the remote Mexican island of Isla Guadalupe, Baja. The film explores many of the issues surrounding these highly misunderstood animals, the efforts of dedicated shark researchers to study and protect them, and the unique cooperative relationship that exists between the researchers and eco-tourism operations.

"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," says Richard Theiss, RTSea Productions, executive producer and cinematographer.

Theiss came to see Isla Guadalupe's great white sharks three years ago as a passenger aboard a shark diving expedition led by Shark Diver.com, a leading eco-tourism operator that charters boats from San Diego, California to make the 210-mile journey south to Isla Guadalupe. What started out as an exciting adventure turned into a passion to document the work of Mauricio Hoyos Padilla, a young Mexican shark researcher, working under the supervision of leading shark experts in the United States and Mexico and aided by the support of eco-tourism operators, like Shark Diver.com, that frequent the island in the fall months when migrating great white sharks arrive to feed on seals and tuna that inhabit the island's waters.

Island of the Great White Shark, featuring dramatic underwater close-ups of great white sharks and exclusive footage of various research techniques, paints a portrait of the great white shark as a vital but cautious ocean predator - in contrast to its more public image as a malevolent man-eater. The film also illustrates the destructive and inhumane practices imposed upon sharks by the commercial shark fishing industry. Estimates run from 40 million to as high as 100 million sharks being killed each year either for their fins or as accidental by-catch. "Sharks populations are being decimated - all for a bowl of soup or a supposed homeopathic cure. For great whites, like those at Isla Guadalupe, you have to add the threat of poachers seeking souvenir jaws and teeth from one of nature's top predators. It's insanity and emblematic of what's wrong with our environmental priorities," says Theiss.

About RTSea Productions
RTSea Productions, based in Irvine, California, 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 video and still production services for National Geographic, PBS, InMER, Aquarium of the Pacific, and others.

Life of Brian:Not the "Peoples Judean Front"

The Advertiser--Seal Recovers From Shark Attack.

An emaciated seal pup named "Brian" by his care givers washed up on the shores of Gleelong, Australia (where else?) this week. The pup was attacked by a shark and starved for three days on the beach while his wounds became infected.

Luckily, plucky "Brian" was discovered on Indented Head beach and concerned beach-goers contacted Leopold Wildlife Shelter and Wildlife Rescue Service. Think Steve Irwin in even tighter shorts.

Wildlife angels David and Helen Burrell swooped in and picked up the emaciated seal a week ago and have given him around-the-clock care since. Mr Burrell said the seal, which they christened "Brian", was "very lucky''.

Here's the whole story and a bonus video from Monty Pythons "Life of Brian":

Japan: Sumo Champion Challenges Paul Watson

Japan (CMN) Yokozuna Asashoryu, Tokyo's top Sumo wrestler, issued a wrestling challenge to Captain Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd today.

Known in Japan as the "Can Crusher" Mr. Asashoryu is currently defending himself on two charges of child endangerment after issuing a similar challenge to Tokyo's Boy Scouts Troop No.14 for the right to sell cookies door to door. He went undefeated in 16 matches against the troop leaving some with broken bones.

Paul Watson is currently chasing elements of Japans whaling fleet in the waters of Antarctica, where two of his crew members are being held as "hostages" on board Japanese vessel Yushin Maru No. 2.

"We will decide the fate of these two crew members and the future of Japans whale hunt in the ring of honor" Yokozuna shouted to a sold out crowd of fans at Tokyo's Staples Arena.

Japans Foreign Minister, Masahiko Kōmura, has agreed with the challenge saying "Mr.Watson should join us here in Tokyo rather than attempt to interrupt our Glorious Imperial...ahem...peaceful whaling fleet in Antarctica".

Sea Shepherd has been unavailable for comment.

This current underwater Onion was brought to you by Shark Diver. The news just keeps getting stranger.

Whale War Update:Australia Sends in Vikings

Who even knew Australia had a navy?

Turns out they do and today they sent the good ship Oceanic Viking to the rescue of two protesters from Sea Shepherd who are being "held hostage" on board a Japanese whale ship.

CNN--Australia has sent a customs ship to retrieve two activists who were seized by a Japanese whaling vessel, the country's foreign minister said. The transfer, if successful, would end a tense two-day standoff in Antarctic waters.The Australian ship, the Oceanic Viking, was within sighting distance of the Japanese whaler Thursday.

So that just leaves us with one question: What Now?

Japans whaling fleet is on target to harvest 1000 whales this year, thus far they have only taken an estimated 300. Regardless of this "hostage drama" side event which has all the earmarks of a classic "don't taze me bro" moment, the question remains, how to stop another 700 whales from being slaughtered this year?

As always we'll keep you updated.

Great White Sharks:Do The Dew "Classic"

What's not to like about this video?

Every once in a long while along comes a commercial that rips through conventional shark wisdom like a hot knife through buttah. This video was no exception to that fine rule.

Featuring the on screen talents of Chris Fallows from South Africa (Air Jaws) and the now deceased Aidan Martin (ReefQuest).

You can count on us to dig up the good stuff:

The Front Lines of Stupidity?

High Seas Drama or High Seas Drama Queens?

As we feared the high seas drama that is Japans 2008 Southern Seas Whaling Expedition has taken a turn for the bizarre today.

Crews from the Steve Irwin-the all black Vader-esque anti-whaling chase boat owned by Paul Watson from Sea Shepherd has made contact with Japans whaling fleet and the Yushin Maru.

What has transpired is something right out of Moby Dick. Turns out members of the Steve Irwins crew have been lashed to the main mast of the Yushin Maru in "freezing conditions" and not even allowed the basic rights to a hot chocolate with marshmallows on top- a time honored right granted to them under the Third Geneva Convention of 1949.

Naturally, this event has caused a minor international incident and the news media is running like a panicked herd of Wildebeast with this "high seas drama" story.

In our book anything that causes even the casual media reader to stop and say "wait a minute" is good media. As far as the anti-whalers are concerned their position can be summed up with the following quote from good old Captain Ahab and Khan from Star Trek:

"No. No, you can't get away. 'From Hell's heart... I stab at thee. For hate's sake I spit my last breath... at thee'."

The fine whaling folks in Japan should reconsider whaling as a vocation and also reconsider the taking of hostages-that's so 1980's.

Great White Predation Video-Close Encounters

Shot in part by Mexican white shark researcher Mauricio Hoyos at famed white shark dive site Isla Guadalupe in 2007.

This amazing shark video remains one of the highest quality to date, documenting a successful predation on a Northern Elephant Seal.

The entire attack and 700lb seal ingestion took approximately 9 minutes:

Aussies Flee "Terror Shark"-Cirque Cast Member Saves Beachgoers

Here we go again.

It must be a slow summer in Australia this year as shark stories have all but infested the front pages of the media down in the land of sun and surf.

At hand this week a small Hammerhead Shark washed up on a local beach and was quickly nabbed by a vacationing performer from Cirque du Soleil.

Actually that's not a member of Cirque. But that really is the official dress code for the Surf Lifesavers in Australia. The huge crowd of onlookers and laughing children were not there because of the shark.

Which brings us to the main point here. Sharks-especially small ones like these-are not dangerous to swimmers. Media hysteria and world opinion continues to demonize these magnificent predators and allow the slaughter of millions each year for just their fins.

Something to think about the next time you hear someone yell "shark!" at the beach.

If it was us we would be in the water faster than an Australian Surf Lifesaver could strap on his cool looking Beenie-Cap.

5 Questions With An Eco-Disaster Educator

We had a chance to chat with Duncan Carson owner and brains behind the on-line website Stop Shark Finning. Estimates vary between 70 and 100 million sharks a year are being hacked apart for just their fins. Often the animals are processed while still alive and then kicked back into the ocean. His website stands on the front line of this critical environmental issue from both an educational standpoint and as a warning to the over harvest of today's oceans.

1.What was it that caused you to get up one day and say "I am getting active"?

It was after I had read an article on The Guardian website by George Monbiot titled "Sharks deserve the conservation status we give to the Giant Panda". The article really stuck in my mind. The idea that sharks were being slaughtered in such a cruel and wasteful way just to make shark fin soup repulsed me so much that I decided I had to do something. I think the day after I read the article I started a MySpace page and a few days after that I got up a basic version of the website.


2.Why sharks? It seems almost any marine animal you encounter needs some kind of help these days.

I was motivated by Monbiot's article to try and make people realise what is happening with sharks. I realise that there are many animals in danger, but
I think that even if you focus on one animal, any positive effects that your work has will have benefits for other animals that live in the same ecosystem. Protecting sharks, a top predator, will have a knock-on effect on other life forms. The other important thing to mention is that sharks get a bad press. They are the underdogs of the oceans, but they are a vital part of a healthy marine ecosystem, and people need to realise that the extinction of sharks in the wild will have a devastating impact on the oceans.

3.Who are the main culprits in this ongoing eco slaughter?

It's a long chain problem that weaves its way throughout society. The fishermen who kill the sharks so inhumanely and wastefully, the people who eat shark fin soup without stopping to think what the effects of their behaviour are, the restaurants who sell it, the mafia who make a fortune from it, the politicians who turn their heads the other way, the media who have done next to nothing to highlight the problem and who just perpetuate the myth about the shark being a man-killer, companies like Alibaba.com who are brokers for the shark fin mafia, Yahoo who have a massive investment in Alibaba.I must say though that almost everyone who I have told about shark finning is revolted by it and several people have stopped going to restaurants that sell shark fin soup. One of the main problems is just ignorance. Not enough people know about shark finning, but once they find out about it they are very keen to put a stop to it. The reaction from the public in general has been very good.

4.What is a solid solution to this issue, beyond telling a culture they are bad for eating soup?

The only solution is to completely ban the finning of sharks on board shipping vessels, and to effectively and strictly enforce the ban with massive fines and even jail sentences for offenders. There has to be an international agreement to enforce this ban in international waters.Specific countries have legislated but unfortunately it is not enough. Many sharks are migratory, so we need an
international solution. However, education is also extremely important.

5.Do you make a difference, and how could others get involved?

I know I have made a difference in a small way - there are more people aware of the issue now than if I hadn't done anything. But I have been disappointed by the lack of response from multi-nationals such as Alibaba and Yahoo! - I know they have made an occasional response to one or 2 other campaigners but I have become more cynical about such corporations since starting this site. They care nothing about the future and only care to make a fast buck: the only "future" they care about is the next financial year. Their comments to the media are full of distractions, half-truths and lies. Their actions benefit a very small minority and worsen the quality of life
for the vast majority.

Tell other people about shark finning - the media are paying no attention so it has to be a grassroots thing - so just tell people about it, your friends, your family. Email people with a link to www.stopsharkfinning.net, write to Alibaba and Yahoo! and your political representatives, complain to restaurants that sell shark fin soup (and don't eat there), add us on myspace, start your own shark page or site, get a t-shirt (all proceeds go to Sea Shepherd), and support organisations that contribute to shark well-being, such as shark diving companies, because the more money that countries can make out of conserving sharks, the less they will tolerate their slaughter.

I would like to add that I don't know how much of a difference I will make, but I do know that if someday my daughter asks me why people didn't try to stop sharks becoming extinct that I will be able to look her in the eye and say "I tried". For that alone it is worth it. If everyone tries to do something about an issue they care about, surely we can make the world a better place?

Competitive Eating Champion Sets New Record-36 Pounds

Bahamas News Daily--Denny "Mad-Man" Pelkin, a competitive eater whose feats of gluttony earned him a spot in the Competitors Speed Eating Hall of World Records has set a new all time eating record on a recent fishing trip to the Bahamas.

Stunned onlookers out for a day trip to Muriels Reef watched in horror as Denny first caught a world record spotted grouper of 77 pounds-and then proceeded to eat half of the fish, live, in exactly 3 minutes.

"It's the most amazing thing I ever seen", said 73 year old captain Ron Freeman of Sunrise Charters out of Freeport, "and I seen some things in the Navy".

According to other fishermen who were there at the time Mr. Pelkin then proceeded to wash the fish down with a six pack of Grand Bahamas Kalik Beer before passing out on the back deck for the rest of the afternoon.

The International Speed Eating Commision or ISEC issued the following statement last week, "We have reviewed the video tape submitted and have verified the actual weight and the time in which this fish was consumed, it's another speed eating record for Mr."Mad-Man" Pelkin.

The following underwater Onion was brought to you by Shark Diver Always wait an hour to go in the water after you eat.

The Great Whale War-Greenpeace vs Sea Shepherd

Can't we all just get along?

It would seem that's not the case-at least in the aptly named "Cooperation Sea" located some 4500 hundred kilometres southwest of Fremantle. Currently two ships are vying for the right to harass Japans illegal whaling fleet...and both sides are hurling verbal harpoons at each other harder than Queequeg on the bow of the good ship Pequod.

In one corner Sea Shepherd know for their "take no prisoners" brand of eco-enforcement, and by that we mean they actually sink ships. In the other corner Greenpeace the long time anti-whalers from the 1970's. Both groups have a long shared history and both groups for all intents have come to hate each other with a passion you would think they reserve only for the whalers they are chasing.

One look at their competing whale blogs and it would seem that Japans whaling fleet has nothing to worry about. If these two ships, the Esperanza and Steve Irwin, come in close range with each other it's going to be an eco smackdown on the high seas.

For our money, we're going with the Steve Irwin-Sea Shepherds boat. They have this nifty little item called a "Can Opener" which is designed to open up the side of a whaling vessel faster than zippers on prom night. We'll keep you updated.

Sir Edmund Hillary-Cheers, Mate!

While this has little to do with sharks, and shark diving we had to comment:

Sad news yesterday that the first man to summit Everest has passed on to that great "Bee-Keepers" hive in the sky.

Prior to his and Tenzing Norgay's attempt to the 29,035-foot summit several other teams had all but failed including the now famous attempt by George Leigh Mallory, who's body disappeared only to be recovered 2000' short of the summit 75 years later.

In an ever shrinking world filled with GPS and "instant travel", we should all take a moment and savor the life of this remarkable man and his times. These were the days of real adventure travel.

Armed only with climbing gear that by today's standards would not even get you to the first Everest base camp this reserved "anti-explorer" conquered a mountain many climbers and peers considered all but unconquerable. To his final days Sir Edmund refused the limelight referring to himself as "just a New Zealand bee keeper" never forgetting to remind people of Tenzing Norgay's efforts to the summit as well.

In his own words: “I am a lucky man. I have had a dream and it has come true, and that is not a thing that happens often to men.”

Great White Shark Video

From the files of Shark Diver. The following white shark video was shot at Isla Guadalupe in 2004 with a large Great White.

Picture yourself 210 miles in the middle of the Pacific. It's 10.00am. A 12 Foot Great White Shark has decided to take a "keen interest" in the side of the shark cage you happen to be shooting out of.

If you happen to be fearless shark diver Sterns Bullen-you tighten your grip on your camera and hang on.

Go ahead, grab a beverage of choice and enjoy an up close look at a great white shark with 48,000 other You Tube shark fans:

Sperm Whale Hunt Closed-Japans Fleet Turns Back

TOKYO, Japan (CNM) -- Researchers aboard Japanese whaling vessels have "completely halted" their much-criticized hunt for Sperm Whales in the seas near Antarctica, after finding "something unusual" in a freshly harvested whales stomach.

"On Monday we received frantic reports of a human like form inside a whale", said the chief Japanese government spokesman Hachimura Mobutatka.

Sperm Whales are known to feed on Giant Squid in Antarctic waters and remains of these massive cephalopods as long as 120 feet have been recovered.

Meanwhile, the International Whaling Commission, having received the same "stunning reports", have halted all whaling activities in Antarctica by it's members.

The IWC chairman has asked Japan not to hunt Sperm whales in the foreseeable future until lab tests are completed on the "human like form" found inside the dead whale.

"We're happy about the whaling fleet pull out, amazed by the news...and just a little bummed", said David Greenwright spokesman for the Environmental Whaling Coalition. The groups members had planned to put themselves between harpoon and whales, using water jets to block harpoon shots. "Now we're back in New Zealand with nothing to do".

This latest underwater Onion was brought to you by Shark Diver If it's safe to go in the water, we'll tell you!

DNA Disaster-Scientists Add Seal DNA to Asian Caterpillar

Science Weekly (CMN)—In a stunning admission today researchers at Bukwang-jo Pharmaceuticals in Seoul South Korea have offered an apology for an experiment with Stem cells that "just went too far".

Lead scientist Dr. Hyo Suk Leuen, M.D., Ph.D. from Seoul West University Hospital and his team were investigating the endemic South Korean Fur Seals unique ability to grow fur in extreme wet conditions-for possible military applications.

Their experiments with DNA swapping and stems cells also centered around the Asian Caterpillar.

"Ten weeks ago we went to Phase Three", a tearful Dr.Leuen said at a national press conference attended by some of the worlds top DNA specialists. "What came out of that test tube was fully mobile, and began to grow at an alarming rate".

His research team suddenly realized they had created one of the worlds first seal/caterpillar hybrids. Dubbed the "Leuen Seal-Cat", the unlikely hybrid remains at the labs and continues to shed all over the place.

Dr.Leuen and his team have no immediate plans to create another creature.

The following underwater Onion was brought to you by Shark Diver. Dive safe, and never play with DNA unless you mean it!

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DivePhotoGuide.Com-Film Competition

Calling all shark shooters and those of you who like to add "Mermaids" to your shark shoot.

This is your chance to become an underwater film legend and to walk away with part of $50,000 in prizes...and who doesn't like $50,000 in prizes?

Announcing the 3^rd Annual Wetpixel & DivePhotoGuide International Underwater Photo & Video Competition or as those like us in the industry have come to know it, the "AWDPGIUPVC".

Photographers & videographers of all abilities can compete in seven still-image categories and two video categories, to win more than $50,000 in prizes including premium dive travel, underwater photo/video and diving equipment and more. Dive packages include trips to some of the top photo destinations in the world, including Socoros Islands, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Red Sea, Grand Cayman, the Solomon Islands and Vietnam.

Other prizes include camera housings, strobes, lighting systems, and other valuable items. The competition includes a category for images that focus on conservation and the marine environment (we like this one), and one specifically for entries taken by compact digital cameras.

For complete info click here and good hunting!

When Angel Sharks Attack!

O.K people, how many times do we have to tell you?

They may look all "cuddly" and live most of their lives on the ocean floor, but pound for pound Angel Sharks are just plain vicious, vicious we tells ya!

This was what a team of crack divers discovered when one of the team got a little too close to natures Wild Child of the deep.

Underwater Thrills Lesson #2 here, if you're going to mess with an Angel Shark, ensure that you're not the guy off camera who gets nailed:

RTSEA LAUNCHES "ISLAND OF THE GREAT WHITE SHARK"

First comprehensive documentary to explore great white sharks and critical shark research at remote Isla Guadalupe, Baja

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, JANUARY 07, 2008 -
A precarious population of great
white sharks and the ongoing scientific research intended to secure their survival is the subject of "Island of the Great White Shark", a just completed documentary film by RTSea Productions. The high definition video production will receive an exclusive V.I.P. premiere on January 22nd at the Aquarium of the Pacific, located in Long Beach, California.

The event highlights a three-year effort by filmmaker Richard Theiss to provide the first comprehensive look at the great white sharks found at the remote Mexican island of Isla Guadalupe, Baja. The film explores many of the issues surrounding these highly misunderstood animals, the efforts of dedicated shark researchers to study and protect them, and the unique cooperative relationship that exists between the researchers and eco-tourism operations.

“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,” says Richard Theiss, RTSea Productions, executive producer and cinematographer.

Theiss came to see Isla Guadalupe's great white sharks three years ago as a passenger aboard a shark diving expedition lead by SharkDiver.com, a leading eco-tourism operator that charters boats from San Diego, California to make the 210 mile journey south to Isla Guadalupe. What started out as an exciting adventure turned into a passion to document the work of Mauricio Hoyos Padilla, a young Mexican shark researcher, working under the supervision of leading shark experts in the United States and Mexico and aided by the support of eco-tourism operators, like SharkDiver.com, that frequent the island in the fall months when migrating great white sharks arrive to feed on seals and tuna that inhabit the island’s waters.

The film also illustrates the destructive and inhumane practices imposed upon sharks by the commercial shark fishing industry. Estimates run from 40 million to as high as 100 million sharks being killed each year either for their fins or as accidental by-catch.

“Sharks populations are being decimated-all for a bowl of soup or a
supposed homeopathic cure. For great whites, like those at Isla Guadalupe, you have to add the threat of poachers seeking souvenir jaws and teeth from one of nature’s top predators. It’s insanity and emblematic of what’s wrong with our environmental priorities,” says Theiss.

The invitation-only premiere, hosted by the Aquarium of the Pacific, will feature a screening of the film, followed by a question and answer session with Richard Theiss and some of the on-screen participants in the film.

CONTACT:
Richard Theiss, Executive Producer
RTSea Productions
949-733-8572
rtsea@rtsea.com
Digital Images/B-Roll Available On Request

Shark Shooting 101-Kiwi Style

Question: If you're on a small boat with an underwater camera and a 13 foot Great White shark shows up, what is the best was to capture the moment?

A. Jump on the back of the shark
B. Dip the camera in the water and snap away
C. Hang your buddy over the side upside down and by the ankles until he gets the shot

Well, naturally the answer is C. How else could you get an amazing shot like this one by just carefully dipping a camera anywhere?

Here's the story:

"When Gary Porter, a builder from New Zealand, spotted the 13 foot (4m) shark just metres from the small diving vessel he was in, he wasted no time in getting his friends to hold him by the ankles as he dangled upside-down in the sea to take close-up pictures of the predator. Suspended overboard, Mr Porter dunked his upper body in the water to snap underwater pictures with his digital camera."

Something about this entire story does not seem right. Perhaps it is the fact that we the readers are completely sober at the moment. Time and a few beers will tell if this actually happened.

Story link is here, check your stupidity at the door please.

Tiger Sharks-Crunch Time Photoshoot

What do you do when an 11 foot Tiger Shark takes a keen interest in your dive gear?

You:

A. Fight the Tiger for your gear
B. Let the Tiger have your gear

The answer to this question by the looks of things was B. Karin Brussaard went Tiger Diver at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas recently to write a tech review of the Nikon D80. She got more than she bargained for when this Tiger decided to make off with her gear. In her own words:

"At a given moment one of the sharks gets in too close to one of the divers and Jim intervenes. He gives the shark a push with the camera. The tiger shark is not impressed. He grabs hold of the camera and swims aggressively away with it. I am feeling uncomfortable and go through my oxygen quickly. Luckily the shark eventually lets go of the camera and swims away."

We now know that Nikons are "Tiger Proof". Score one for engineering!

The full story is here

Shark Tech-UW Text Messaging

Let's file this one under bad idea. The world of SCUBA has too many gadgets, gizmo's and well meaning bell-wiz-modo's for our tastes here at Underwater Thrills.

What ever happened to the old school days of a raggedy BCD, a good dive knife, and enough air to last maybe 30 minutes? THOSE were the days of diving my friend.

Now along comes this little number that will allow you to "text message" your dive buddy with the following message "there's a shark behind you!"

If the company that made this device has not realized it yet-text messaging is a pox on humanity. It eats up time, most text messages are pretty boring, and frankly if you're a diver we cannot see anyone spending the ten minutes to type out a message to a basic point underwater.

Anyway, here's the link to the blog Slash Gear in case you need another piece of plastic electric garbage attached to your gear this year.

Oh, and this WILL set you back $1300

Radisson Hotel-Where's Da Sharks?

So they built another hotel in Berlin. It's got 427 rooms, swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and fitness room.

They also went all out with their high tech conference area on the ground floor-offering a conference foyer and 10 air-conditioned meeting rooms. All pretty standard stuff as far as mega hotels go.

Oh, and it's also got the world's largest cylindrical aquarium, the AquaDom. Filled with one million litres of saltwater and the new home to about 2,500 tropical fish. Making the AquaDom the largest free standing aquarium on the entire planet.

The only problem is that they totally forgot to add the sharks. How can any self respecting hotel with a giant aquarium in the lobby hope for any business without a few sharks swimming around!?

Great White Sharks at 100 Feet Rottnest Island

Score one for the science guys in Australia. A small team of dedicated researchers have been placing unmanned video cams down at 100 feet with some bait to see what's there. Beats paying some grad students to do the same job.

Since this is Australia to no ones great surprise a 10 foot Great White showed up and did a fly by completely caught on tape. Naturally the local news media has gone all "caddy-wompus" on this story.

Rottnest Island is just a few miles off of Perth.

Last we heard White Sharks were coming out of the tap water in Perth, but they are screaming about this video all the same.

Anytime you can get a Great White on tape we call that a good day. Of course it would be nice if they could have framed up this video a bit better and maybe tracked the shark a bit. Looks like the guys from Shark Diver will have to pack a few cages and go investigate.

Click here for the complete story and video.

Now, about the name of this island?

Great White Shark-Geek Tech

The good folks at Shark Tech have created the ultimate geek divers dream. The "Shark Shooter".

O.K, it's not called the "Shark Shooter"-but it might as well be called that. What you are looking at is the latest advance in diver tech. Now a lot of you old school underwater shooters will say "this is a scuba abomination, be gone from our web browsers!".

Ye, of little faith. Remember the great underwater war between film and digital shooters, now who's laughing?

For those of you out there who like to shoot sharks, this mask-6 gig camera combo allows you to be hands free, so you can hold a big fish carcass and bring the sharks in even closer.

As Britney Spears would say-Cool Ya'll!

Unfortunately these masks only come in classic yum-yum yellow, but heck, with that fish carcass in your hands perhaps the 16 foot Tiger shark you just chummed in will not notice.

Geek on Diverman!

5 Questions With a "Shark Whisperer"

We had a chance to speak with Richard Theiss CEO of RTSea Productions and the filmmaker of the recent shark documentary "Island of the Great White Shark".

Richard spent the last 3 years of his life documenting the Great Whites of Isla
Guadalupe, Mexico and the efforts of a small band of shark researchers from Mexico's CICIMAR and California's U.C Davis to study and track these sometimes elusive and magnificent critters.

He was granted access to researchers and sharks that no one has ever had. Typically film crews are limited to just one week of shooting,as such they fail to get a complete look at the animals they are documenting.

The film was shot in all weather conditions from 2004-2007. It is the most complete look to date of the sharks of Isla Guadalupe, Mexico.

Richard will be at the Long Beach Aquarium this month for the world premiere and private screening of his new documentary: "Island of the Great White Shark".

5 Questions:

1. Why film sharks?

They are unique, they are mysterious, they are exotic, and they are endangered – all rolled into one. As a nature filmmaker, I have had the opportunity to film a variety of flora and fauna - from bugs to fish, from jungles to arctic tundra - and nothing so far has captivated my attention like the multi-faceted shark. And they are emblematic of all that is right and wrong with man’s ongoing relationship with Nature. My greatest pleasure in filming animals like sharks is knowing that it may enlighten others; my greatest fear is that I may be filming them for posterity.

2. Most exciting moment over the past three years with Great Whites?

For me the most exciting moments have been when I have looked through the viewfinder and realized, at that instant, that all the elements were coming together to capture the true magnificence of these animals. Sure, over several years, the odds increase to see dramatic bites or close brushes with the cage, but as a filmmaker what really gets my blood pumping is when I know I’m getting imagery that is truly doing justice to these creatures. It’s magic. But if I had to choose one moment, I would say it was when a large Isla Guadalupe female, known to the researchers as “Mystery”, spent nearly two hours cooperating by giving me some of the best close-up footage I have had to date. It gave me goose bumps. She and I will be picking out china patterns in the Spring.

3. Shark Porn and the shark documentary industry, your take on it?

Well, much of it is a little out of whack and certainly not doing the sharks any favors. As a filmmaker, I understand the commercial factors that drive the decision-making process when it comes to shark documentaries. It’s that need to “sell popcorn”, as I call it, and keep the advertisers happy. Let’s face it; to the general public, sharks, like the Great White, will never win popularity contests and there will always be a macabre fascination with these predators. But there needs to be a balance between appealing to that sensationalism and documenting the truth. And if these animals are to have any kind of future, it is incumbent on those who film sharks to strive towards turning myths and fear into truth and respect.

4. The future of sharks worldwide, shark fining, eco tourism?

The future. . . well, when you read the statistics it can be pretty depressing. The demand in Asian cultures for shark fins is taking a staggering toll on many shark populations. I’m sorry, but the whole issue of shark finning – for soup or homeopathic medicine – just drives me a little crazy. For me it seems so senseless. But changing cultural and commercial mindsets is very challenging. There have been small victories here and there but it’s a tough row to hoe. After all, how many of us have changed to fluorescent light bulbs or ditched our SUVs? This is where eco-tourism can play a very important role. SharkDiver.com has done a great job in providing divers and non-divers with both an exciting experience and a chance to learn about the extremely critical role sharks play in a balanced marine eco-system, while also providing critical support to ongoing shark research studies. I just hope that we continue to unlock the mysteries surrounding sharks like the Great White and enlighten people everywhere as to their importance before it’s too late.

5. Your question here

I would be interested in hearing others stories of how someone’s attitude about sharks was changed for the better. Perhaps that will provide a solution or an idea for someone else. Filmmakers sometimes shine their light to illuminate a problem or issue, leaving the viewer to ponder over solutions for themselves. I’d like to hear what others have done or are doing.

Great White Shark Mystery-U.K?

All of England is in an uproar today as photographic evidence, perhaps the first of it's kind, has surfaced of a possible Great White shark (a huge animal) taking a bite out of a seal.

The Sun-A JAWS hunt was on last night after experts confirmed a mutilated seal was killed by a bite from a giant shark.

Scientists say razor-sharp tooth marks show the adult grey seal — a favourite food of great whites — had been mauled in a frenzied feeding session. Experts confirmed the seal was killed by a giant shark after studying close-up photos of the wound.

“It is a very clean cut, and from the size of the chunk, and the serrated tooth marks, it must be something with a very large bite radius like a great white. “The position of the bite mark is also crucial. The seal was bitten from underneath, which is exactly what you would expect because of how a shark takes its prey.”

This is a video from Isla Guadalupe shot in 2007 of a Great White feeding on a 700lb Elephant Seal. From this video it is possible that the seal attacked in the U.K was in fact a Great White, then again, it might be an Orca, or just a fake. Only time will tell:

Amy Winehouse-Rocks "Drug Queen" Saved By Scuba!?

There goes 2008.

"If it swims-it wins" is our motto here at Underwater Thrills. That was until today.

Coursing through the Internet right now is this little story about Rocks Bad Gal-Amy Winehouse, who according to the tabloids is now claiming to have been "Saved by Scuba". Well glory be!

Three things that are wrong with this off the bat:

1. Who cares?
2. Who's gets to DM this admitted coke addict?
3. Who cares!?

Amy is quoted as saying (add slurry British voice here) "I’ve learn't to appreciate the simple things, like the beauty of nature. And it’s taught me to face my fears. It’s a different world down there. I can look at things in a new way. “I’ve come to the realization that life is too short; I want to make sure I live every minute of it."

All this after spending the holidays with fellow rocker Byan Adams underwater in Caribbean.

Perhaps she discovered the joys of being NARC'd as a little trip over to the SCUBA-WIKI describes NARC'd as:

"Due to its perception-altering effects, the onset of nitrogen narcosis is famously described as the "rapture of the deep" the result of illogical behaviour in a wet environment or in extreme cases-really stoned"

Perhaps this latest video of her in action on the surface might give you an idea of why we become concerned for her well being sub-surface:

Mauricio Hoyos-Cool Shark Science Dude

If you happen to be a "Shark Scientist" you probably do well at bars and at pool parties in Miami.

Who wouldn't attract a crowd of bikini clad models with this line..."So, I'm Shark Scientist".

But if you're lucky enough to be a "White Shark Scientist" that's the difference between a NASA Test Pilot and an actual Astronaut.

We wanted to introduce you to an actual "White Shark Scientist". For the past four years Mauricio Hoyos from CICIMAR, Mexico has been the driving force behind Isla Guadalupe white shark tagging and shark tracking program. Think Indiana Jones with a Spanish accent.

He gets to do cool thing like tag and track whites, conduct DNA sampling, and as this image suggests grab DNA samples from all kinds of critters out at this newly formed Bio-Sphere Reserve some 210 miles off the California coast. By the way no critters were hurt in this image even though he's ALSO got a wicked looking cross-bow to get DNA samples with. Cool plus.

This is Mauricio in action 2007:

Jeremiah Sullivan-Mad Shark Genius

Three things we like about Jeremiah Sullivan.

1. He's the owner and creator of Neptunic
2. He likes sharks
3. Hires babes to model his anti-bite suits

When you stroll through the Neptunic Site you'll discover a whole world of anti-bite tech that will make your inner shark geek go wild.

These suits are the gold standard for hazardous encounters with frisky sharks.

Planning feeding a 8 foot Bull Shark in Cuba? You'll probably want to have this suit, or their all new Nemo 2 made with a "liquid crystal polymer fiber".

In the world of anti-bite tech for sharks on a "fleshy bite scale" of 1-5 it goes something like this:

1. Speedo wearing Bull Shark feeder aka mook
2. Surfer with short board
3. Diver with tank and James Bond dive knife
4. Diver with shark cage
5. Nemo 2

Of course the latest Nemo 2 anti-bite tech will set you back about $24,000 but with naked shark diving mini disasters like these, you may want to consider the suit. Oh, and by the way NEVER wear a Speedo to feed a Bull Shark:

Dr.Evil-Sharks With Frickin Lazer Beams

Dr.Evil...you had us at "sharks".

By the way, we're still trying to figure out how to add some of these nifty high powered targeted lazers to a few of our sharks. We'll update you in 2008 if it happens. The trick is getting a 2000lb white shark or tiger to be still for a few minutes.

Gametap Delivers-Play JAWS For Free!

Praise be to the Shark Gods, Buddha, Jebus, or who ever you praise be to-Gametaps giving something away for free. JAWS!

Now we know this blog is not about buying things, so when we heard that you can actually play JAWS for free, we had to go play for ourselves. In JAWS Unleashed you are a freakishly large great white hell bent on oceanic destruction. About the only thing you do not have in this bloody fun game are "Frickin Lazer Beams"...too bad

It's fun to be an apex predator chomping through boats, divers, girls in bikinis...and less.

Here's the trick, you need to download the game player, the whole set up takes about 5 minutes and then it's chomping time baby!

Here's the link

Cue the theme -- there's an oversized shark in the water with a taste for humans. The famous Great White has returned to terrorize the Amity shoreline in Jaws Unleashed, and this time, you control the shark! They're definitely gonna need a bigger boat.

Until December 31st and then you have to pay to play or go join a real shark diving company!

Tiger Shark Diving-Bahamas and SharkDiver.Com

For the serious shark diver there's only two places on the planet where divers can get face to face with Tiger sharks. One of these spectacular dive sites is Tiger Beach located in the Bahamas. This unique-sandy bottom dive site allows divers and filmmakers unprecedented access while filming anywhere from 2-12 Tigers at the same time. Not to mention upwards of 40 Lemon sharks as well!

For the divers and crew of Shark Diver Tiger Beach is the perfect next step from Great White shark diving at Isla Guadalupe for those who want to discover the "Wilder Species" of sharks from sub surface state of the art cages and gates.

New for 2008 Shark Diver is working with the research vessel RV Tiburon and is now running 7 day charters from Freeport, Bahamas. This new dive schedule allows our divers a full extra day of shark diving over the old schedule out of Palm Beach, Florida.

The Shark Diver crew will introduce you to Tiger sharks ( Galeocerdo cuvier ) and Great Hammerheads ( Sphyrna mokarran) and "clouds" of Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) up close and personal. Plus you'll get to snorkel and play with Spotted Dolphins, dive incredible sites complete with wrecks, reefs and more. Packing as much diving and shark encounters as they can into 7 days is what this is latest adventure is all about:

Whale Sharks-Being Loved To Death?

Gotta hand it to the Australians. While they have quite a few of the best sharks sites on the planet to either cage dive or rodeo sharks in for divers, they still have not quite figured out what to do with their whale sharks.

Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean-a quick run over to the good old Shark-Wiki tells us:

"This species, despite its enormous size (40 feet), does not pose any significant danger to humans. It is a frequently cited example when educating the public about the popular misconceptions of all sharks as "man-eaters". They are actually quite gentle and can be playful with divers. There are unconfirmed reports of sharks lying still, upside down on the surface to allow divers to scrape parasites and other organisms from their bellies. Divers and snorkellers can swim with this giant fish without any risk apart from unintentionally being hit by the shark's large tail fin."

So why is it that Australia enacted a series of rules and regulations that almost prohibit diving with these magnificent critters?

"This (code) includes a limit on the number of people in the water at any one time with the sharks, minimum distances that boats and snorkellers must keep from the sharks, and definitely no touching of the sharks".

The ONLY thing that will save the whale shark and sharks in general for the future-is divers seeing these animals in person. Too many sharks worldwide are being hunted for just their fins and the whale shark is on the top of that list. Divers who encounter these animals are 80% more likely to want to voice concern to local governments over issues relating to sharks.

Food, or soup for thought.

Crikey-Croc Cage Diving!

So what's NOT to like about this latest South African attraction? It's got man eating Salties (crocs), strong looking cages, babes in bikini's, and best of all it yours for a mere $40 bucks.

Yes, now you too can join the good folks at Congo Ranch for a lifetime encounter with a big reptile:

"Daredevils who wish to attempt this adrenaline-pumping feat are slowly lowered into the heated crocodile pool along with 5 large Nile crocodiles and are protected from the predators by a specially designed cage. Guarded by the strong cage, the crocodiles swim around you sizing you up as a tasty snack."

Perhaps they could use a hand at the advertising. This is Africa after all where last we heard 99% of everything there will either kill you or leave you with chunks missing...but they make a tasty vino!

Fast Movers-White Shark Tracking Data-TOPP

If there's one thing we absolutely "Geek Out" on here at UT it's fresh white shark shark tracking data. Without a doubt the TOPP program-Tagging Of Pacific Predators-is the 300lb Research Gorilla when it comes to white shark data with it's tagging and fresh data feeds to legions of hungry shark fans.

Barbara Block is the research brainchild behind TOPPs from Stanford. Keep this website handy and check in with your favorite sharks as they get tracked all over the Pacific and beyond.

Here's three reasons to love TOPP:

1. Cool data links with close to real time tracking
2. It's absolutely free
3. If you dive with sharks this is the latest intel.

This latest tracking study was done with the help of John O'Sullivan, curator of field operations for the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Lost Season 4-Nothing To Do With Sharks

Perhaps one of the slickest productions ever to hit mainstream television (sorry Survivor) Lost on ABC has captivated viewers with an interesting old school mix of flash backs, plot development, and twisted story lines. Even with the current writers strike in Hollywood the 4th season is rolling out in 2008 and shows few signs of getting old.

While this series has not put a dent in "Reality Television", it has shown the major studios that with a few good writers, a nice beach, and an investment in some quality talent, you CAN produce a hit-and create legions of fans in the process.

For those of you who just cannot wait, here's the official trailer. While sharks do not play a role in this series, we're still hoping that somewhere along the line they make an appearance. These unlikely castaways live on a damn beach after all-so where's sharky?

Great White Shark-Long Distance Record

We know that great whites tend to be big swimmers, think of them as the long haul truckers of today's oceans. Minus the beer gut, 8 track tapes, and penchant for Denny's food.

It was a huge surprise though when researchers in New Zealand (yes, they have whitey there too) released their current tacking data on a shark they named "Kerri". Here's the full report with data translation for those that do not speak in meters.

Wednesday December 26, 2007

By Yvonne Tahana

A great white shark has set a long-distance swimming record after travelling 3000km (1864 miles) to the warmer tropical waters of the southern Great Barrier Reef.

While there is evidence of Australian sharks crossing the Ditch, the journey of Kerri - a 4.4m female shark - is the first evidence that it is a two-way process. (14 foot shark)

Kerri was tagged by scientists at Stewart Island in March. Her effort beat the previous record for a New Zealand shark by 200km (124 miles)

Department of Conservation scientist Clinton Duffy said that for years it was thought great whites that ended up in New Zealand were stragglers.

"We blamed the Aussies. But we definitely have our own sharks because they breed here."

Mr Duffy said other results from the tagging project suggested that great whites in the south-west Pacific may comprise a single population.

Three sharks tagged at the Chatham Islands in 2005 all travelled north to subtropical or tropical waters and ended up respectively in New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Louisville Seamounts which is northeast of New Zealand.

"Our tagging results show these sharks can be highly mobile, though they may also hang around seal colonies for several months at a time while feeding on seals."

Little is known about habitat requirements, migratory behaviour or interactions with white sharks elsewhere and the programme is expected to shed light on these patterns.

In 2005 scientists discovered that the sharks could make deep dives, some to over 900 metres (2952 feet) during their migrations and electronic data from the tag could provide more detail.

Attached to the dorsal fin, the tag was designed to detach after a pre-determined time and float to the surface before transmitting data such as location, depth and temperature to a satellite, which emails the results to scientists.

It began calling home on December 18 and, ever since, Niwa fisheries scientist Malcolm Francis' inbox has been filling up with fishy news - he will send it away for decoding in about 10 days, when all the data have been transmitted.

"When they're in the open ocean most of the time they're quite close to the surface but periodically they make deep dives - and we don't know what they're doing down there."

Scientists think the sharks are diving to feed on squid the same way sperm and pilot whales do, or they're listening in for whales' breeding grounds.

"There's some evidence they can attack and kill calves, they can certainly take advantage of a still birth and people have even suggested that the afterbirth could provide a meal."

"At this stage we don't know what route Kerri took, or how quickly she travelled to Australia."

But it looks like the sharks can live anywhere, Mr Francis said.

"Up until eight or 10 years ago people thought they were an inshore coastal species that lived in shallow waters but quite a lot of them head for the tropics and the open ocean, and there is a fair bit of traffic between Australia and New Zealand."

The tagging programme has been a collaborative study by scientists from Niwa, Department of Conservation, Germany's Shark-Tracker and the Washington University.

Jack Ass on Bondi Beach

You HAD to know this was coming. With the movie rights, book deals, and morning talk show invites, shark attack victims make out pretty well on the media these days.

Obviously if you're one of the .002% of the global population who has a nasty run in with a shark (think getting hit with lightning) the upside is not so bad. So, along comes this beer hound with a story that seemed just TOO good to be true. Faking a shark attack because you fall through a window at a party is about as low as it gets.

Karma says this guy should stay out of the ocean for the next three years:

Fake Shark Attack
Thursday, December 24, 2007

A man who said he had been attacked by a shark has been accused of making it up after his arm went through a glass window and he is now facing jail.

Scott Wright told reporters he thought he was a "goner" after being bitten on the arm by a shark last Friday at Bondi Beach, Australia.

It is now claimed that he was injured several days before. He is also facing jail over robbery charges, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Shark-Corkscrew-Holiday Gift

With X-Mas just a few days away here's a gift idea that had the crew here at UT running to the store to buy some vino.

The good folks at "The Shark" sent us a few of these gizmos to test run over the past few days and nights.

We're here to report that the media hype is all that and more..this is one serious wine opener!

Top Three Vinos We Tested from Wine Spectator

1. Cuvee le Bec from Beckmen Vineyards (California). A blend of red grapes. "Blends are oftentimes a good value," says Rayyis. Vintners "are making good wines without getting hung up on particular grape varieties." He says this Rhone-style wine is "consistently really good."-Corks in these bottles are real and the shark thingy tears them out in no time.

2. Deadly Zins Zinfandel from Michael-David Vineyards (California). "It flies off the shelf and deservedly so," says Fredrikson. -Corks are plastic and the shark thing makes short work of them.

3. Banfi Centine, Rosso di Toscana (Italy). "A good Chianti Classico nowadays retails for about $18 and up," says McCarthy, who calls this "a great alternative." Good with tomato pastas or steak, he says. - Dry cork, shark thing works with a few pieces left behind..tasty vino!

Top Three White Shark Destinations

There's only a few places in the world where divers-who are crazy-can get face to face with Great White sharks with the added safety of a cage. For many in the scuba world and beyond these critters are the pinnacle underwater thrill, a close encounter with the "Man in the Grey Suit". You may want to even consider the "Grand-Tour", a visit to each shark site in under one year. For many shark divers this remains the Holy Grail of shark diving.

Be sure to save up in advance as the total cost with flights, hotels, tips, and a few beers for the fearless shark gals in South Africa will set you back about $30,000. If you put it all on Visa they may even stick you in a commercial..Priceless!

Top Three White Shark Encounters:

Neptune Islands-Australia

Neptune Islands provide an ideal habitat for great white sharks. Great whites like rocky outcrops and volcanic islands because the shear drop-offs around the edges of the islands into cool, deep water provides the sharks with the temperature and depth that they need, while the seals and other animals that live on the islands provide an easily accessible food source. Neptune Islands sit on a submarine shelf south east of Port Lincoln, and provide an ideal habitat for these ambush predators. This small group of rocky islands, composed of grey granite and coastal loam, supports a large colony of seals as well as a colony of endangered Australian sea lions. Underwater footage for the movie "Jaws" was shot here because the waters around these islands are a natural feeding area for great whites. They have become one of the single best great white dive destinations in the world.

Who Dives There: Rodney Fox

Dyer Island- South Africa

Six miles off of Gansbaai, off the Western Cape of South Africa, lies Dyer Island. This is the original white shark destination and the granddaddy of them all. These low, rocky islands serve as a breeding ground for a wide variety of seabirds, while it's neighbour, a rocky outcrop called Geyser Islet, serves as a home for a large resident seal population. Put those two together and what you have is a prime time wildlife buffet for the great white sharks. White sharks, especially juveniles but also a few adults, are seen on a regular basis in the channel between the two islands where they feed on a variety of seals, often leaping completely out of the water "Air Jaws" style. This natural feeding ground is the main reason that many divers consider South Africa to be the one of the world's top shark diving destinations. With it's unique combination of wreck, reef, tropical and sub-tropical diving, this prime natural hunting ground for great whites, has earned South Africa a reputation as "the shark diving capital of the world"

Who Dives There: Apex Predators

Isla de Guadalupe-Mexico

Guadalupe Island is an oceanic, volcanic island about 190 miles offshore of Baja Mexico, 210 miles south of San Diego. The island has a sheer rock wall extending hundreds of feet up into the air, as well as hundreds of feet into the ocean. Great whites like rocky outcrops and volcanic islands because the shear drop-offs around the edges of the islands into cool, deep water provides the sharks with the temperature and depth that they need, while the seals and other animals that live on the islands provide an easily accessible food source. The volcanic islands are the only known reproductive zone for the Guadalupe fur seal in the world, and are important reproductive zones for a number of other marine animals as well. Recently discovered in 2001 by "Doc" Anes from San Diego Shark Diving- the islands large population of pinnipeds makes it one of the world's top places for great white shark sightings bar none.

Who Dives There: Shark Diver