The Economy - A Video Explanation

So let's get this straight. The Federal Reserve is currently engaged in what they call "Quantitative Easing," a fancy term for printing lots and lots of money.

$600 billion dollars worth on this latest round.

Check.

This video explains the rest and how Goldman Sachs is skimming a hefty percent off the top on account someone decided to run the whole deal through them.

Be afraid America, be very afraid.

Bimini Bay Resort Joins Shark-Free Marinas

Bimini, Bahamas – Bimini Bay Resort announced its voluntary participation as the third marina resort in Bimini to join the Shark-Free Marina Initiative (www.sharkfreemarinas.com) whose purpose is to focus on the importance of reducing worldwide shark mortality. Bimini Bay Resort now prohibits the landing of sharks at its marinas and pledges to work in tandem with its sport fishermen to develop protocols under which threatened species of shark are permitted to recover and replenish their populations. As a leading employer of Biminites on the island, Bimini Bay will work to create and enforce community-conscious awareness of the need to protect Bimini’s sharks and waters. “One of our main focuses in 2011 will be to encourage responsible use of our ocean,” stated Rafael Reyes, President of Bimini Bay Resort.

The Shark Free Marina Initiative works with marinas, fishermen and non-profit groups to formulate community conscious policies and to increase awareness of the need to protect sharks. Currently 60 to 100 million sharks are slaughtered worldwide each year, which in turn poses a serious threat to the health of the earth’s oceans. Over the last five years, the United States recreational fishery has harvested an average of 500,000 sharks per year.

Bimini Bay’s participation in the Shark-Free Marina Initiative takes the Bimini
Islands unanimously one step closer to this marina initiative; a boon to the shark populations of the area and to the Bimini Biological Station. Bimini is home to healthy shark populations and to the Bimini Biological Field Station. Informally known as the Shark lab, the Bimini Biological Field Station on South Bimini is a world-renowned research facility whose subjects of study are the many species of sharks in the unique habitat of the Bimini’s North Sound and Bimini’s surrounding waters.

~ Bimini Bay Resort and Marina~
The island of Bimini offers jet-setters and boaters an unparalleled vacation experience at the island’s first four-star luxury vacation resort, located just 48 miles off the shore of South Florida. The ideal setting for a destination wedding, honeymoon or corporate retreat, anyone seeking a unique getaway can appreciate exceptional suite accommodations designed to provide families with ultimate comfort and space. All suites feature kitchens with granite countertops and contemporary designs with beach-chic décor and breathtaking views of the Atlantic or Bimini Bay. The resort’s marketplace at Fisherman’s Village offers a complimentary children’s activity center with year-round activities and camps. Other amenities include water sports, an infinity
pool, gourmet cuisine, two marinas--one accommodating mega yachts--and beach and poolside massage services. For more information or for reservations, please visit www.biminibayresort.com or call (242) 347-2900.

~About the Island of Bimini~
Proud Island of the Bahamas: The island of Bimini is located 48 miles east of South Florida, where the Gulf Stream meets the Great Bahama Bank. Bimini is heralded for its infamous flats fishing, offshore fishing and diving. Discovered in the 1500’s by Ponce de Leon in his quest for the Fountain of Youth, this colorful island’s abundance of unspoiled island views and emerald waters continues to attract yachting and water-sport enthusiasts searching for a relaxing haven that offers something for the entire

SharkDiver.com in Cigar Aficionado Magazine

In the December issue of Cigar Aficionado, Jim Belushi lets us know if his new TV show is all drama or has some room for humor. Also, they explore Scotland's whisky experiences, take you on a tour of Drew Estate, profile weather guru Jim Cantore, present their annual holiday cigar gift guide, take a look back at the 10 biggest blunders in golf history, and offer their official NBA preview.

Of course there's also an in depth article on shark diving featuring stunning images by Jim Cornfield with your friendly neighbourhood shark diving company Sharkdiver.com.

Christmas came early this year with the artful blending of premium cigars with shark diving!

Warning Graphic Bahamas Shark Images NSFW

The following images are graphic but also serve to highlight the need for ongoing shark protections in the Bahamas. We covered this event back in 2008 and from these images created the concept behind the Shark-Free Marinas Initiative.

Fortunately there's a movement to protect Bahamian sharks with the help of Pew Trusts, the Bahamas National Trust, smaller support NGO's, and interested commercial shark diving operations.

This is why we need to protect the sharks of the Bahamas.

These images were taken in late 2007 and feature a pregnant sport caught Tiger shark with near term pups ripped from her body. This magnificent animal, the pinnacle of a healthy eco system and part of a thriving $70 million dollar Bahamian shark tourism industry, was reduced to a set of jaws - and a series of ghoulish family vacation photos:



TIGER SHARK MARCH 2008

Save Our Seas Deepwater Telemetry Project

Scientist Edd Brooks with the Bahamas Shark Research and Conservation Program is a busy man.

His recent project could not be more timely with the recent push to make the whole of The Bahamas into a shark preserve.

Expedition Report:

The initial success of the deep water pilot project previously reported before has continued. So far 32 individual surveys, resulting in eighty animals from nine different species: Cuban dogfish (Squalus cubensis), Roughskin dogfish (Centroscymnus owstoni), Smoothound (Mustelus canis insularis), Gulper shark (Centrophorus granulousus), Taiwan gulper (Centrophorus niaukang), Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformes), Bluntnose sixgill (Hexanchus griseus), Bigeye sixgill (Hexanchus nakamurai) and the Sawtail catshark (Galeus springeri).

However, the catches have been dominated by the cuban dogfish and the gulper shark.

Perhaps the most exciting news is the deployment of pop-up satellite archival transmitters (PSATs) on gulper sharks (Centrophorous granulosus) and the Taiwan gulper shark (Centrophorous niaukang), which will provide the first movement and habitat use data for these animals. Seventeen individual gulper sharks, comprising both male and female ranging in size from 52 – 105 cm and four Taiwan gulper sharks ranging in size from 130 – 156 cm have been captured. With one X-Tag deployed on each of the two species of gulper sharks, the team anxiously awaits the pop off periods of 30 days and 5 months.

Until the recent development of the X-Tag by Microwave Telemetry, Inc. there was not a PSAT small enough to deploy on a smaller species like the gulper sharks. The X-Tag weighing only 40g and pressure rated to 2500m is roughly half the size of the original archival pop-up tag which opens new possibilities for research on a variety of deep ocean sharks, many of which are under 1m in total length. Twelve more X-Tags are planned for deployment on the gulper sharks throughout the duration of the pilot project.

Complete Post.

Mystery Missile The Science The Pathos

Bah. So a good friend sent us a link to a science-y blog with some big equations that apparently prove the Mystery Missile off California's coast this week is in fact...wait for it...a plane.

Since we're usually dumbfounded by fancy equations and by science folks in general we'll call this one done.

Too bad, a North Korea nuke boat with an errant missile off California's coast would have been a lot more fun.

Back to sharks after this:


This diagram is not to scale, but the math is the same regardless. The solid curved line is the surface of the earth. The dot at the top is San Clemente. The little triangle is Catalina. “d” is the distance to Catalina (d=35 miles). “c” the amount of Catalina that is visible above the horizon (c=0.05 miles, really a bit more, but let’s be conservative). “a” is the altitude of the plane, (a = 6 miles). “r” is the radius of the earth (r=3963 miles).

The green wavy line is the contrail. Notice it’s at a fixed height above the surface of the earth, and is going directly towards the OC.

The point labeled (0,0) is the center of the earth. (0,0) means X=0, Y=0, where X is horizontal and Y is vertical. What we want to know is how far away the plane is, the value x. We do this with cartesian geometry, noting that the lowest visible point of the trail is at the intersection of the dotted line, which is a circle of radius (r+a), hence the equation x^2 + y^2 = (r+a)^2 and the line labeled “sight line”, which is has the equation y=x*c/d. Combining these equations to solve for x yields a quadratic equation, which we can solve with Wolfram Alpha:

intersection of (y=r+x*c/d) and (x^2+y^2 = (r+a)^2)

and with the real numbers:

intersection of (y=r+x*c/d) and (x^2+y^2 = (r+a)^2) where a=6 and d=35 and c=0.05 and r=3963

Thanks to Ethan Stock for the hat tip!

Mystery Missile California Conspiracy?

Less than 24 hours after what looks to be a very large missile being launched off the California coast a plethora of wired sites have thrown their collective weight behind "it's just a jet theory".

Wired Online

Gizmondo

New Scientist

Are we certain this video is in fact a jet and if so would there not be an airline track of a plane over the ocean at the precise launch site and time yesterday?

See live airplane track site LAX.

For the money we think it's one of two of the following options:

A. The MythBusters Adam and Jamie foolin' around with season #1020 "Even Bigger"

B. The Balloon Boy Redux

As we said earlier today, the mystery will be solved. Only if we can get past the geeks on the tech sites calling this one done.

Hey Gizmondo, did you even watch the damn CBS video?

Mystery Missile Launches off Catalina...MythBusters?

The news today that a "sizable" missile was launched at sea off the coast off Catalina yesterday has Pentagon and Navy officials denying involvement.

"It's spectacular it takes people's breath away," said former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Robert Ellsworth, calling the projectile, "a big missile".

So, who launched it?

For the money we're wondering where Adam and Jamie - The MythBusters - were last night.

Both gents like things that go boom, and as far as we're concerned they're about the only guys in California with the expertise to pull off a "sizable missile launch".

Time will tell as this very strange story come to light.

Update: There's a rumor floating around Catalina Island right now of a fisherman who saw the launch at sea last night.

Shark Research Internship Wanted

Organisation: 3 Fathoms
Salary: Volunteer
Location: South Africa
Hours: Full Time
Position type: Volunteer
Contract: Temporary
Closing date: Tue 07 December 10
Website: www.canyoufathomit.org
Contact name: Ryan Daly
Contact email: canyoufathomit@gmail.com

Join a team of marine scientists in the field to gain valuable fieldwork experience.

Although a background in marine science is not required, being comfortable in the water and in rough conditions at sea, the ability to look after yourself and a passion for the sea are essential. With 3 Fathoms, you will learn a lot, see a lot and do a lot. A concerted effort and enthusiasm are expected in order to help achieve the goals of the research project underway. As an intern your primary purpose will be to assist in the research program although there is time to pursue side trips to game reserves, local attractions and of course beach and surf time.

Activities include:
• Underwater observation of sharks using SCUBA or free diving
• SCUBA training though divemaster
• Practical field experience using innovative methodology
• Involvement in marine conservation issues and promotion
• Usage of innovative scientific equipment
• Collecting and recording data
• Field sample preservation and organization
• Shopping and cooking

The Elevator Shark Pitch

And we'll be hiring Marisa next week to work for us, fun video, fine elevator pitch:

RTSea Blog Three Part Series - The Emancipation of Data

As media producer, filmmaker, and marcomm consultant, Richard Theiss has provided high definition images for broadcast networks and non-profits in addition to developing and implementing marketing strategies for multi-billion dollar corporations.

From sweeping Arctic vistas to pensive human interaction to the power of the great white shark, Richard Theiss/RTSea adheres to the principle of "Making the Message Matter."

This week Richard posted an in depth three part series on Science and Media Communications. Creating a the bridge between science and the public.

Science and Media Communications: turning data into enlightenment - Part 1 of 3


Science and Media Communications: turning data into enlightment - Part 2 of 3


Science and Media Communications: turning data into enlightenment, Part 3 of 3

Top 10 Adventures Yellowpages.com

Yellowpages.com added your friendly neighbourhood shark diving company SharkDiver.com to its hallowed Top Ten Adventures list this week:

Imagine the Thrill
Dare to overcome three fears all at once: swimming in deep water... while submerged in an enclosed cage... in shark-infested waters. While some might consider the scenario more of a nightmare than an adventure, shark diving often jolts participants' adrenaline in ways few other thrills can. Facing some of Mother Nature's fiercest predators up close in their raw habitat obliterates your sense of comfort at the top of the food chain.

Make the Adventure
Two of America's most popular destinations for shark diving are off the coasts of Oahu's North Shore, with a few expeditions leaving from Haleiwa (pronounced ha-lay-AY-vuh), Hawaii, and northern Baja California, with companies like Shark Diver disembarking from San Diego (and also offering expeditions to see the "red demon" giant squids of Mexico). You can go shark-cage diving with little or no scuba experience, depending on the type of cage (whether sunken, floating or affixed), but newbies usually just need to attend a cage-diving orientation. Special certification might be required to go diving near great white sharks.

Shark-Human Interactions – Aggression?

If you want to fully understand our continued support for Beqa Adventure Divers in Fiji it has a lot to do with Da Shark and his in depth look at the fundamentals of our industry covering topics that get almost zero coverage elsewhere.

This week was a fine example.

Da Shark on Human-Shark Interaction:

One of the most frequent questions our customers ask is whether our Sharks are aggressive.

Our standard answer is to tell them that in our experience, they are not aggressive as in wanting to bite us but rather, that they may sometimes be assertive, meaning that some will try and barge in to get some food and that in doing so, they may display a degree of posturing.

Granted our definition may be threading a very fine line – but words are powerful and we want to steer the conservation away from the usual stereotypes and towards a more neutral mindset.

Complete Post.

Image by Christy Fisher

Chris Ross in Men's Journal 2010

Underwater photographer Chris Ross joined Shark Diver a few seasons ago at Isla Guadalupe, only to return as the primary (and most excellent) photographer for Nat Geo's Expedition Great White.

He's off on the next season shooting sharks, but prior to packing his bags was featured in this month's Men's Journal.

Along the way Chris mentioned Shark Diver as the shark diving company to go with - should you choose to spend a week in the company of sharks.

Thanks Chris, and safe travels...we mean that!

Mision Tiburon joins Migramar

Mision Tiburon Conservationist Association is a Costa Rican nonprofit NGO, whose goal is to promote research, management and conservation of sharks and marine life in our oceans.

Mision Tiburon was officially established in 2009 by young conservationists, who are concerned about the drastic decline of shark populations around the world. The promoters of this group are marine biologists whose have worked in the last years in educational projects and marine researches with sharks, rays and turtles. During these years, they have acquired the experience and the knowledge to lead new marine conservation projects.

Complete Post.

Deadliest Catch - Hooking a Shark in San Francisco Bay

From UrbanDaddy.com:

Sharks.

It’s a constant debate as to whether they’re lurking in the Bay. But the definitive answer is yes, yes they are.

Which means: you need to catch them before they catch you.

Cue the Jaws theme song. Fire up the boat. You’re going fishing...

Behold Sole Man Fishing, a seafaring outfit at the ready for baiting and hooking sharks in the San Francisco Bay, now taking charters out of Fisherman’s Wharf.

Now, if you’re having visions of wrestling gigantic great whites with your bare hands as the sea whips your sturdy craft to and fro, you should know those beasts are rarely seen inside the Golden Gate. But there’s a slew of other prehistoric, big-jawed fish—leopard sharks, giant seven-gills, threshers and soupfins—ready and waiting.

And that’s where Captain Don and his trusty deckhand come into play. You and five of your closest angling buddies can charter a 32-footer with an ample fishing deck, onboard grill and even a heated cabin—and head anywhere between SFO, the Golden Gate Bridge and Vallejo.

The method for shark fishing isn’t all that different from regular fishing, but for the slightly more powerful fight you might have to get it onboard (hint: a bat comes in handy). Nearly eight out of 10 catches will be leopard sharks, with the occasional seven-gill at the end of your line, so with a per-boat limit of three, you’ll have to choose wisely.

But remember, the sharks are probably thinking the same thing.

GEERG Shark Observation Network

One of the better concepts for sharks to come along in a while from the fine folks over at GEERG.

This is smart conservation thinking in action and first rate eco branding as well.


Welcome to the Shark Observation Network

The Shark Observation Network (www.sharksonline.net) is a partnership of the Greenland Shark and Elasmobranch Education and Research Group (GEERG), the Shark Research Institute (SRI), and the BIOAPP.

The network supports the collection and organisation of data as well as the development and dissemination of information concerning the state of shark and elasmobranch populations and their worldwide distribution.

The information serves to support environmental awareness, assessment and policy making, and public participation at a global level. You can help us by reporting your own shark observations on a regular basis. This service is free and it is accessible to the general public at all times: www.sharksonline.net

If you would like to add an observation for a species that is not yet listed, please contact us and we will create a new file.

Go to the photo upload page if you like to make a contribution.

SharkDiver.com in Cigar Aficionado Magazine

What does shark diving and cigar smoking have to do with each other?

Everything.

This months Cigar Aficionado Magazine searched for the top white shark company running operations in Mexico and sent intrepid reporter Jim Cornfied out with Shark Diver and the crew of Horizon Charters to Isla Guadalupe to discover cigars and sharks.

Our little company has kept a fine tradition of cigar smoking alive on board as it turns out shark adventures and very expensive cigars seem to go quite naturally together.

We're on page 52 of Decembers issue, talking sharks, conservation, and what we do best.

We'll post the entire article when it comes online or pick up your magazine today.

Villagers feast on rare whale shark Philippines

AP Oct 20,2010

Villagers in the Philippines have butchered for food an endangered whale shark that was trapped in a fish pen, stunning officials who vowed on Thursday to file criminal charges for the slaughter of a rare creature.

Environmental officer Job Tagle said he found about a dozen people with knives running away with big basins of meat carved from the whale shark when he reached the village of Bio-os in the central Philippines on Tuesday.

Tagle said only the head of the whale shark - the world's biggest fish species - was left when he and police arrived.

It took at least 10 men to carry the head, which weighed about 200kg, onto a van. It had what looked like several bullet and spear wounds and was later buried, he said.

The owner of the fish pen, located about 500 metres from shore, said the animal was dead when he found it, but police suspect it was killed based on its wounds, Tagle added.

An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Negros Oriental province, Oscar Moncopa, said charges will be filed against the owner.

Conservation group WWF-Philippines said possession or slaughter of a whale shark can be punished by up to four years' imprisonment plus a fine of up to 10,000 pesos ($A237).

In February, another 5-1/2-metre whale shark was found dead and the Bureau of Fisheries and WWF offered a $US2,170 ($A2,239) reward for information about the culprits. No one has been arrested.

Whale sharks have been hunted for decades and 2.2 pounds (a kilogram) of dried fins can fetch up to $US800 ($A825) on the black market.

Bahamas Shark Expedition - Good Idea 2

Guy Harvey, marine artist and biologist, is back from an expedition to the Bahamas with a mission of “recording the beauty of sharks.” In addition to Harvey, Jim Abernathy, and artist Wyland, are also involved in the effort. The team hopes to use shark imagery to encourage people to promote shark conservation.

Looks like they have hit all the right notes:

Top 50 Undersea Blogs - Underwater Thrills

Look around the Internet and you'll discover there are very few blogs out there that deliver consistent shark diving industry content, and even fewer that dare to approach the really tough subjects within our industry.

Ours does.

Underwater Thrills is now part of a small cadre of water blogs - The Top 50 - that deliver shark content, industry analysis, and media on a daily basis.

And that list is growing. Unfortunately missing from this list is Da Shark in Fiji and The Dorsal Fin an oversight that needs to be remedied and will be this week.

For the record here's the Official Top 50 and here's to year number three, 3000 posts and counting.

Edward Dorson - Shark and Awe

Want to know the current status of the U.S. Shark Conservation Act sitting in Congress?

Underwater photographer Edward Dorson summarises this bills remarkable voyage through the US Senate and it's sad state of affairs in today's Huff Post.

Edward Dorson - an eloquent and passionate voice for the oceans, and for sharks:

The threat to sharks from finning and to a planet that requires their continued existence isn't half-baked ideology -- it's empirical fact. Studies are consistently revealing that sharks, as apex predators, are essential to regulate species abundance and distribution to maintain healthy oceans. Yet the world's sharks are being slaughtered at an unsustainable rate of 3 per second (estimated at 100 million annually). After capture, shark finners hack off the fins (worth up to $300 a pound) and the less valuable mutilated shark is tossed back to sink and slowly die. This travesty was acted on by our lawmakers a decade ago with the U.S. Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000, a legislative milestone that made it illegal to have fins aboard a U.S. registered vessel without the corresponding shark carcasses.

Complete Post.

Shark Diver - Once More to Isla Guadalupe 2010!

We say hello to 12 soon-to-be newly minted shark divers at the docks of H and M Landing tonight as they board the MV Horizon with Shark Diver for another white shark adventure to the island.

While some of the shark diving operators have finished for the season we're still going strong and our divers, many who booked last year at this time, cannot wait to get the adventure going.

We'll post more trip reports from shark divers as they come in. 2010 was a record text book season both in terms of sightings (double digit days) and operational safety and success.

Kudos to Martin Graf and his entire back deck team for many hours of hard work, and an amazing season so far, cannot wait until Novembers trips!

Celebrity Endorsments Help Charity Initiative Save Sharks

Beginning in October, the Shark-Free Marina Initiative will embark on it’s largest membership campaign throughout the United States and the Bahamas in order to save sharks.

Sharks are disappearing from our oceans at an alarming rate. Therefore, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, The Humane Society of the United States, and various other organizations have teamed up with the Shark-Free Marina Initiative (SFMI) for a singular, historic purpose: to reduce worldwide shark mortality. SFMI certifies sport fishing and resort marinas as ‘Shark-Free’ thereby prohibiting any shark from being landed at their dock.

“SFMI works directly with the recreational and commercial fishing community to send a clear message,” says Luke Tipple, Managing Director and SFMI founder. “As shark populations are decimated on a global scale we as a species are obligated to pay attention and reduce our wasteful destruction of these incredibly important animals.”

Some very important and influential celebrity spokespeople are also teaming up with SFMI. Fashion photographer and America’s Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker feels strongly that we all have to speak out for sharks. “There are many good fishermen out there who respect the oceans and know that in order to preserve their way of life for future generations we all need to be more aware of our actions and the results they may cause.”

Slash, legendary guitarist and founding member of Guns & Roses and Velvet Revolver adds, “It is important to me as a father and concerned human being, that we do all we can to address the wasteful destruction of these amazing and important animals. We must ensure that sharks are around for future generations.”

Other stars to support the initiative include Alec Baldwin, Elizabeth Berkley and Bill Maher. To read what they have to say, click here.

Shark-Free Marinas has a message that is being heard worldwide. Tipple summarizes “Shark overfishing is a serious problem which threatens the very health of our oceans. It’s time to take a stand and set an example of sensible conservation that can be globally respected and repeated. There is a solution, and it starts at our marinas.”

Find out more at www.SharkFreeMarinas.com

Ware Sharks Vintage Fishing Video

Down in South Africa, they go for sharks with rod and line - real hammerheads too - and the Durban fishers use whale meat as bait - C/U of two men winding a fishing line around a chunk of meat. M/S of man in tiny boat being given the chunk of meat and an oar. L/S of him paddling out to sea - looks very precarious.

Low angle shot of group of fishermen on the quayside. Children watch. C/U of man lying down on the quayside having a sleep with his hat over his eyes. He has a fishing rod by his legs. M/S of men and women leaning over a sea wall - some fish. C/U of man reeling in what is probably a big fish. M/S of the fish - shark - which he is reeling in. C/U of a penguin standing on a rock. M/S of crowd admiring the man's catch. It is a hammerhead shark which writhes on the ground. Looks pretty bloody. A dog sniffs around it and tries to bite its tail.

Hat Tip - Team Rebel Fishing Blog.

'WARE SHARKS!

The Demons of Durban - Part 2

From the Team Rebel Fishing Blog.

Today's land based shark fishing is 99% catch, tag, and release.

This was not always the case and this week the TRS blog launched a multi-part expose on land based shark fishing roots.

The Demons of Durban Part Two

The anglers would load up their newly acquired whale meat and head southward on the railway that lead to the end of Durban's south jetty, with hopes of taming these beasts that constantly patrolled the harbor. But the tackle and techniques these anglers choose to use were somewhat primitive, even for the day and age they were stalking these sharks. The tackle which was most commonly used to try to tame these giants from the rock laden jetty typically consisted of a wooden Scarborough reel, with rods constructed from locally grown bamboo. These outfits usually held anywhere from 600-800 meters of Flax line, which was then proceeded by a 30 meter length of wire or cable trace, that normally would have a dog chain link somewhere along the leader that was closer to the bait and homemade sinker. To deploy these baits off the jetty and into the shipping channel, one angler would typically hold the rod, while another angler would strip anywhere from 20-40 meters of line off the spool of the Scarborough reel, and lie it flat on the surface of the jetty.

Complete Post and Video.

David Diley Against All Odds

A while back when Da Shark discovered David Diley and his remarkable take on a hot button issue for our industry, I was impressed.

David produced a clear and incisive understanding of shark chumming and baiting.

His Op-Ed, from a non industry member, made David a rare commodity.

Rarer still as David has gone on to follow his ultimate dream, "From Office to Ocean," one mans voyage into the world of sharks and conservation.

David is, like so many within our community, following his dream with no funds, having gone deeply into debt to produce the following teaser. Like his Op-Ed it shows a depth of understanding and natural filmmakers talent that cannot be ignored.

This is great stuff, and deserving of funding. We support it and will support David as he continues forward. Raw talent needs help and in the end sharks ultimately benefit.

Thanks to Da Shark for the follow up.

Crab with a "C" Baby!

In this crazy world of ours fresh crab comes in two varieties. Crab with a "c" (real crab) and krab with a "k" (the fake stuff). Knowing the difference at sushi bars can mean the difference between a $40 sushi bill and a $100 one.

Thanks to an unusual marketing agreement between Japan and China fresh crab with a "c" now comes out of a vending machine.

Hat Tip Deep-Sea News Blog, you guys rock!

On a side note the crab featured in this video is in fact an invasive species here in the USA known as the Chinese mitten crab, and now we have a vending machine predator to take care of it.

All hail China and Japan for fresh crab with a "c" - coming soon to a Walmart near you:

Protect the Sharks of the Bahamas - BNT Push

By ERICA WELLS / Nassau Guardian

The Bahamas National Trust formally launched a local shark conservation campaign Tuesday, aimed at pushing the government to create comprehensive regulations to protect the sharks of The Bahamas.

It’s an effort that carries with it a certain sense of urgency, now that The Bahamas is one of only a few locations around the world that can boast of healthy shark populations.

"Right now when you read through the Bahamian fisheries law, even if you would do a search for the word ‘shark’ you wouldn’t find anything,” noted Jill Hepp, manger, Global Shark Conservation, Pew Environment Group, which is working with the BNT on the “Protect the Sharks of the Bahamas” campaign. “You’re starting from a situation where there’s nothing specifically on the books that would prohibit or restrict or manage the shark populations here.”

While sharks are in trouble globally the state of shark populations here are among the best in the world, according to researchers. The relative health of the shark populations in The Bahamas has been attributed to the country’s ban on long-line fishing in the 1990s — combined with the fact that there is no incentive for local fishermen to sell shark meat. Now, shark researchers and conservationists want to make sure that the healthy shark populations in Bahamian waters stay that way.

Complete Post.

Image from 2009 sport caught Tiger shark - Bahamas.

‘Corkscrew killings’ of seals linked to propeller systems - is it proof?

The Corkscrew Killer Mystery seems to have been solved...for the moment.

You will remember our wine challenge to researchers in the U.K?

The Challenge

Underwater Thrills is officially offering a fine bottle (signed) of 2005 Floodplain Proprietor Red from Napa Valley, California to any U.K researcher who can prove without a doubt that the Corkscrew Killer is in fact a man made object or machine.

Latest Update - The Herald

Researchers at the University of St Andrews have dismissed claims that sharks, killer whales, illegal traps, fisheries or even deliberate mutilation could have caused the “corkscrew killings”.

Since August 2009, 33 dead seals have washed up on beaches bearing a single, smooth-edged cut that starts at the head and spirals down the body. The bizarre lacerations were widely attributed to shark attacks.

However, experts at the University’s Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU), in conjunction with the RSPCA and the Scottish Agricultural College, have concluded the injuries were most likely caused by the ducted propeller systems on ships operating in shallow coastal waters.

The research leader, Dr David Thompson, said: “Investigations have revealed a number of features that show the injuries are entirely consistent with the animals being sucked through large, ducted propellers.

“Our methods included scaled simulations using models that show how the spiral injuries can be created, as well as fine-scale observation of the injuries themselves that show the lacerations were made by the seals rotating against a smooth edged blade, while being dragged past the blade by a powerful force.

“Most diagnostic of all has been the imprint on some animals of the serrated ‘rope cutter’ that is present on most of these types of ducted propellers to stop ropes getting entangled in the propellers”.

To date, most of the injuries have been seen in the Tay and Forth estuaries, north Norfolk in England and Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland.

The injuries involve a severe, sudden and deadly trauma. Both grey and harbour seals have been involved, but the carcasses recovered were mainly harbour seals.

Complete Story.

The Shark-Free Marina Initiative Launches Massive Campaign With Major Celebrity Help

Ecorazzi got the scoop on the Shark-Free Marinas this week with an expose on star power
endorsements for this unique conservation concept:

From Ecorazzi:

What do Nigel Barker, Elizabeth Berkley, Alec Baldwin and Bill Maher have in common? They each support the Shark-Free Marina Initiative!

Here’s the deal: Sharks are disappearing from the world’s oceans at a devastating rate! To help combat this colossal problem, The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States have teamed up with the Shark-Free Marina Initiative (SFMI) to help launch a massive new campaign!

Over the next few months, SFMI will be reaching out to marinas across the world and asking them to get involved by prohibiting sharks from being landed at their dock. So far almost 83 marinas have signed up, and the number is growing each day.

Author and fashion photographer Nigel Barker is a strong supporter of the campaign and says, “There are many good fishermen out there who respect the oceans and know that in order to preserve their way of life for future generations we all need to be more aware of our actions and the results they may cause.”

Yes we do!

“Ecorazzi has played an important role in educating the public about the perilous state of sharks,” says Operations Director Patricia Ragan. “We encourage Ecorazzi readers to contact marinas they know to join the Shark Free Marina Initiative. Together, we can save tens of thousands of sharks!”

For more information on the campaign, check out SharkFreeMarinas.com

What DNA tells us about the shark fin trade

In case you missed it the Vancouver Sun in conjunction with Bob Hanner, associate director for the Canadian Barcode of Life, recently took some sharks fin from a series of markets in Vancouver and ran a DNA profile on them.

The results were interesting to say the least.

Fine article, great reporting, and a wake up call.

As we have long said, to combat the global shark fin trade you need to understand it first. One of those critical first steps is not only sampling sharks fin from major trading centers over time, but also analysing the trade routes, distribution centers, online trade, and species connection.

This first step take in Vancouver could also be done in San Francisco, L.A, Las Vegas, just as efficiently.

Any takers?

Tourism operators educating people about Great White sharks

One of the primary functions of commercial shark diving operators worldwide is to inform and educate the public to the positive side of sharks.

Not everyone does this but when they do good media always follows:

ABC News S.A

HENNIE OTTO: We've got some scientific evidence that chumming doesn't really affect the behaviour of the shark being- making them more accustomed to boats and people, etc - or making them more prone to attack human beings.

ANDREW GEOGHEGAN: Hennie Otto from the company Marine Dynamics, which runs Sharkwatch South Africa.

HENNIE OTTO: If the bait line's been pulled away as the animal moves in and that's negative-negative conditioning, if you want to call it that. Um, there's proof that the sharks have been habituated about what we're doing. As soon as you see that they don't get the bait, they usually just swim off. And you rely on constantly new animals coming through on a regular basis for the divers to see them in the cage.

ANDREW GEOGHEGAN: How important is this as far as the tourism's concerned, to actually educate the people about the shark.

Complete Story.

Nigel Barker Supports The Shark-Free Marina Initiative

From television's Nigel Barkers blog this week:

Shark overfishing is a serious problem, which threatens the very health of our oceans.

Beginning this month, The Guy Harvey Foundation, The Humane Society of the United Sates and I have teamed up with the Shark-Free Marina Initiative to encourage hundreds of marinas throughout the US and the Bahamas to go ‘Shark-Free” in efforts of saving tens of thousands of sharks each year.

Shark finning and commercial fishing are responsible for the majority of worldwide shark mortality figures, causing these incredible, yet much-maligned creatures to disappear at an alarming rate.

It’s time to take a stand and set an example of sensible conservation that can be globally respected and repeated. There are many good fishermen out there who respect the oceans and know that in order to preserve their way of life for future generations, we all need to become more aware of our actions and the results they may cause.

The SFMI’s singular purpose is to reduce shark mortality. By certifying sport fishing and resort marinas as ‘Shark-Free,’ we can prohibit any shark from landing at these docks, therefore saving lives.

For more information on the initiative, please click here.

The 4 Lies of Shark Fin Soup - Chuck Thompson

If Chuck Thompson was prize fighter - he would be in the bare knuckles class. As we have been quietly pointing out the shark conservation movement is in trouble when it comes to the plethora of non NGO's who are tackling this global problem.

Not for a lack of deeply held convictions, desire for eco-stardom, media hits, or even petitions.

The movement has plenty of those.

In a recent expose in Guy Harvey Magazine Chuck looks into the shark world, interviewing "the usual volunteer bleeding hearts," to garner non-scientific quotes on the "state of the union" of shark conservation.

In the process the article reveals deep insights into the efforts to date and the Four Lies of Shark Fin Soup.

To that we would like to add a 5th.

The myth that the shark fin trade is run exclusively by Asian mafia. It is not. That misconception has lead many to believe this lawful trade is something sinister, instead of something that can be taken apart by attacking the trade itself.

What's needed is new thinking and a change in tactics because this is eco issue ultimately about trade, not sound bytes, Asians, a soup, or even failed reality television show bids on Animal Planet.

Kudos to Chuck Thompson for the article and the expose. If the movement is serious about saving sharks - it will have to get serious about what it is up against first.

For a deeper look Da Shark in Fiji has posted his four cents.

Making sense - as usual.

The Demons of Durban - Part I

From the Team Rebel Fishing Blog.

Today's land based shark fishing is 99% catch, tag, and release.

This was not always the case and this week the TRS blog launched a multi-part expose on land based shark fishing roots.

The Demons of Durban

Early in the twentieth century, in a town which is now known internationally for its history of violent shark attacks, a group of men would fish on the legendary South jetty on the edge of the shipping and whaling lanes for grunters and various other pan fish for table fare. But over the course of the years during the South African whaling season, the anglers would constantly see large numbers of massive sharks that entered the lanes to feast upon the whales scraps that were useless to the whalers, and tossed aside into the harbor's dead end.

Every year between May 1st and September 30th, the jetty would be littered with the anglers of the Durban Shark Club, for the sole fact that this was the time period allotted for hunting the Baleen whales that migrated down the African coast. When the whalers would arrive back to port with their catches in tow, the sharks would be nipping at the heels of the boats and their prize harvest.

Many account have even recorded that up till the moment the entire whale carcass was drug up the whaling chute, that there were Zambezi (Bull) sharks, hanging onto the carcass until the last possible moment to get one last chunk of the rich blubbery flesh before they awaited the return of the next whaler in the fleet.

Complete Post.

Breast Implants and Sharks...and has CSI jumped the shark?

Got an email from David Shiffman over at the Southern Fried Science Blog today taking about the long running television series CSI. A recent episode featured a supposed Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) munching on a hotel raver in a Las Vegas wading pool.

A freshwater pool.

The video lead in featured all 17 varieties of breast implants, a few vacuous looking extras dancing to a terrible techno beat, a shark researcher in a chain mail suit, and oh yeah, an actual shark attack.

If David is asking for industry opinions on television shows that jump the shark, we would suggest that all the elements are in play for this shows jump, actually leap, into the fine world of Fonzie's last stunt to long running series irrelevance.

Watch the video:

The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States team up with the Shark-Free Marinas Initiative For Historic Campaign

What began as a conservation concept generated by the commercial shark diving industry, in reaction to gravid Tiger sharks being taken in the Bahamas for a few images and a pair of jaws, has, in the hands of a skilled and dedicated team - become a full blown reality.

Welcome to The Shark-Free Marina Initiative.

10.20.2010 — Beginning in October, the Shark-Free Marina Initiative will embark on itʼs largest membership campaign throughout the United States and the Bahamas in order to save sharks. Sharks are disappearing from our oceans at an alarming rate. Therefore, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, The Humane Society of the United States, and various other organizations have teamed up with the Shark-Free Marina Initiative (SFMI) for a singular, historic purpose: to reduce worldwide shark mortality. SFMI certifies sport fishing and resort marinas as ʻShark-Freeʼ thereby prohibiting any shark from being landed at their dock. The SFMI team is being advised by Dr. Bob Hueter, Director of Shark Research at the Mote Marine Laboratory and John Le Coq, co-founder of Fishpond USA.

“SFMI works directly with the recreational and commercial fishing community to send a clear message,” says Luke Tipple, Managing Director and SFMI founder. “As shark populations are decimated on a global scale we as a species are obligated to pay attention and reduce our wasteful destruction of these incredibly important animals.”

Dr. Guy Harvey, Founder of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, supports SFMI with more than just words.”We put our money where our mouth is,” says Dr. Harvey.”Our Big Game Fishing Marina is completely shark free. No caught sharks can be landed here.” Dr. John Grandy, senior vice president, The Humane Society of the United States, enthusiastically supports the SFMI campaign. According to Dr. Grandy: “Although shark finning and commercial fishing are responsible for the majority of worldwide shark mortality figures, this campaign to encourage hundreds of marinas to
go shark free can save tens of thousands of sharks each year and change perceptions about this much maligned creature.”

Some very important and influential celebrity spokespeople are also teaming up with SFMI. Fashion photographer and Americaʼs Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker feels strongly that we all have to speak out for sharks. “There are many good fishermen out there who respect the oceans and know that in order to preserve their way of life for future generations we all need to be more aware of our actions and the results they may cause.”

Slash, legendary guitarist and founding member of Guns & Roses and Velvet Revolver adds, “It is important to me as a father and concerned human being, that we do all we can to address the wasteful destruction of these amazing and important animals. We must ensure that sharks are around for future generations.”

Shark-Free Marinas has a message that is being heard worldwide. Tipple summarizes “Shark overfishing is a serious problem which threatens the very health of our oceans. Itʼs time to take a stand and set an example of sensible conservation that can be globally respected and repeated. There is a solution, and it starts at our marinas."

About The Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States is the nationʼs largest animal protection organization – backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.

About fishpond:
fishpond is a worldwide brand of products designed and manufactured for fishing and outdoor enthusiasts. fishpond was created with the philosophy that innovation, design and a responsibility towards the environment from which we draw our inspiration is critical to our success.

Sphyrna mokarran feeding time - Florida

Hat Tip: The Dorsal Fin blog for the amazing video find.

Gives a whole new meaning to catch and release...and recycle:

The LAST Space 2010 Isla Guadalupe - Seriously

We have been sold out for the 2010 white shark season at Isla Guadalupe for many months.

The 2010 season has been one of double digit white shark days, great weather, and thrilled divers.

Our Oct 29-03 departure has one last minute space that just opened.

One of our returning shark divers has developed a scheduling conflict and cannot join us, so this is your chance.

If you have been wanting to join us and cannot wait until 2011, please contact us at Shark Diver.

Lets go shark diving!

Five Pacific nations step up campaign to protect sharks

Pacific Scoop Report – By Jessica Tasman-Jones.

Around the world sharks strike fear in ocean swimmers. But while five people die from shark attacks in an average year, millions of sharks are killed through human fishing.

Last month, five Pacific states and territories signed an agreement for the conservation of the creatures.

The agreement was part of the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) memorandum of understanding which aims to conserve shark population numbers.

The memorandum – which is not legally binding – was developed at a United Nations-backed meeting held in February this year.

At the time of the meeting, 11 states signed the agreement while Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands signed the CMS agreement at the 21st meeting of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) held in Papua New Guinea last month.

A significant cause of declining shark numbers is the popularity of shark-fin soup.

Complete Story.

Bluefin in the Gulf - Ground Zero Oil Spill

Northeast and northwest spawning grounds for Bluefin tuna in the Gulf were at ground zero for Americas worst oil spill on record.

And the fallout is just beginning.

Underwater Times

PARIS, France -- The Gulf of Mexico oil spill couldn't have occurred at a worse time for bluefin tuna: they had come to the area – a major spawning ground – to produce offspring. Satellites are helping assess the damage from the disaster on the fish's spawning habitat.

The majestic Atlantic bluefin tuna, among the largest fish able to grow the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, come to the Gulf yearly from January to June. Their peak spawning time in the Gulf is April and May – just when some 10 million litres of oil a day was pouring into the water following the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig on 20 April.

The commercially valuable fish spawn in surface waters, with females releasing eggs and males following behind to fertilize them. The presence of surface oil could harm eggs, larvae and even adults. With the western Atlantic tuna population's spawning stock declining by 82% over the last 30 years, it is imperative they spawn without disturbance.

Complete Story.

Angela Pozzi - Ocean Artist and Hero

At the intersection of of art and ocean conservation one name stands out - Angela Pozzi.

This unique piece is taken from plastic left overs, things that washed up onshore, transforming man made garbage into art forms that educate and inspire future generations to change.

Her garbage fish has received rave reviews internationally and she is hoping that artists will imitate her unique vision around the planet.

Not a bad idea and not just limited to second hand oceanic garbage.

Imagine a full scale white shark model made from sharks fin. The dollar value of that single piece of art would have quite an impact and for the public a profound visual understanding of sheer waste that is the shark fin trade.

Kudos to Angela for her two ton masterpiece of garbage art.

Impactful? Yes.

SharkDiver.com on Thrillist.com

There's a space on the Internet for "guys only" offering up the best gadgets, dining, hotels, and adventures from around the planet.

It's called Thrillist and last week SharkDiver was front and center talking shark diving to Thrillist members from Miami to San Diego.

Thrillist.com

Shark Week's about as close as most guys ever get to the beasts, except for those few daredevil divers who ironically can't watch Shark Week, because using a remote requires arms. Just kidding, they're more afraid of you than you are of them!

For proof, check out Shark Diver.

Ready to sea-whisk you 20 hours away to an island 150 miles off the coast of Baja for "guaranteed" Great White swims, Divers is run by an adventure seeking dude who's braved everything from Australian crocodiles, to Peruvian landslides, to Kiwi cyclones, which unlike sharks, don't leave you alone when you poke them in the eye. Anchoring in the 100+ ft visibility-waters near volcanic Isla Guadalupe (the most active white shark spot in the world after that island off South Africa, and...somewhere else), divers'll descend in 4-5 person, 50sqft cages which are air-supplied via surface hoses (eliminating the need for bulky tanks), and've been newly revamped by removing multiple bars for greater visibility, and compacted to "prevent drag", the biggest one of which would be if they improperly removed those bars.

Pricing has also just this season become all-inclusive, with the fee netting you necessities like Mexican dive permits/vessel accommodations/all equipment, and even-more-necessities like unlimited beer and wine (the hard stuff's BYOB), and gourmet eats including dishes like stuffed pork tenderloin w/ balsamic cranberry reduction and vessel-caught, sesame seed-crusted ahi w/ soy/wasabi dressing, and signature desserts like puff pastry stuffed with fresh berries, and a cake they'll bake for special occasions, like "I just emptied my bank account to go shark diving".

If you prefer to be food, they've also just built a non-caged “cinema platform” for more advanced divers/photographers/death-wishers, which's lowered 40ft into the deep blue sea with absolutely no protection for the diver...though it's not like you'd be able to hold on to it for long anyway.

New Industry Paper - Developing a Code of Conduct for whale shark interactions in Mozambique

Abstract

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a popular focal species within the global marine tourism industry. Although this has contributed to increased protection being granted to the species in several countries, tourism itself can be detrimental to the sharks in the absence of appropriate management. Potential impacts can be mitigated, at least in the short term, by adherence to well-designed interaction guidelines.

A burgeoning marine tourism industry based on swimming with whale sharks has developed at Tofo Beach in Mozambique. However, no formal management is currently in place at this site.

The behaviour of whale sharks during interactions with boats and swimmers were recorded during 137 commercial snorkelling trips run from Tofo Beach over a 20 month period. Whale sharks were encountered on 87% of trips, which operated year-round.

Boat proximity and shark size were significant predictors of avoidance behaviour. No avoidance responses were recorded at >20 m boat distance.

The mean in-water interaction time between sharks and swimmers was 8 min 48 s overall. There was a significant decrease in interaction times during encounters where sharks expressed avoidance behaviours, and also in cases where sharks had expressed boat avoidance behaviour before swimmers entered the water.

It is suggested that mean encounter times can be extended through adherence to a basic Code of Conduct for operators and swimmers that enforces minimum distances between the sharks, boats and swimmers. Using encounter time as a measure of the ‘success’ of interactions holds promise, as longer encounters appear to be indicative of lower impacts on sharks while also providing higher customer satisfaction for swimmers.

Complete Paper.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.