Migrating White sharks rely on fat stores in their livers

According to the web page found at http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2013/07/17/3804158.htm,
White sharks rely on fat stores in their livers to power their migration over thousands of kilometres across ocean basins, a new study has found.

Cobbler Wobbegong shark found beach washed

An intact small adult  Cobbler Wobbegong shark was found beach washed on Brighton Beach, SA today, 8/7/13. Dr David Muirhead took the specimen home and took lots of photos of it.

Goblin Sharks (& one attacking the arm of a diver)

Video footage of a Goblin Shark attacking the arm of a diver can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh_HUIJkRzU. The goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) is a deep sea creature that's been sighted less that 50 times since its discovery. They're the only living representative of the family Mitsukurinidae. An artist's version of one can be found at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=622690581085290&set=a.456449604376056.98921.367116489976035&type=1&ref=nf .

6m white shark seen near Neptune Islands in Sth Australia

Andrew Fox of Rodney Fox Great White Shark Expeditions reports the sighting of "Possibly one of the largest if not the largest white shark in the world. This 6m class giant appeared out of the gloom down at 23 metres near the Neptune Islands in SA".

A leopard shark photo

There is an excellent photo of a leopard shark at
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=417989118308762&set=a.301196429988032.69360.296546750453000&type=1&theater. "The leopard shark belongs to the Order of carpet sharks and is easily recognisable. Just like other carpet sharks, such as the wobbegong shark, the leopard shark has a flat belly, an elongated upper tail fin and its mouth in front of its small eyes. The brown leopard-like spots on its back and sides make it hard to confuse this shark with any other shark species."

Floating aquarium to house a great white shark

According to the web page found at

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-18/plans-floated-for-live-great-white-shark-attraction/4762210?section=sa , “Plans have been unveiled for a floating aquarium to house a great white shark off Port Lincoln in South Australia”.

Sharks Win in New York but Lose in Texas

"New York politicians voted last month to ban all commerce related to shark fin products. The bill now awaits the governor's signature before New York becomes the eighth U.S. state to instigate a ban. But in Texas, a similar ban was passed in the state's House of Representatives but received insufficient support to go forward for a Senate vote. Senators said that while shark finning is already against federal law, fishermen should remain able to sell any parts of sharks which are brought ashore whole. As it stands, general trade in shark fin products, whether caught in legal fashion by Texan fisheries or imported from abroad, still remains legal in that state for the time being." (Source: "Undercurrents", 16/6/13)

Shark fishing banned in New Caledonia

Shark fishing has now been banned in New Caledonia. The NC govt. has banned the practice because shark populations “are being decimated to feed growing demand for luxury goods”.  Some 100m sharks are said to be killed by humans each year, mostly just for their fins, and not one major headline about that.

A shark managed to stick its head inside a viewing cage

According to the web page found at http://tvuol.uol.com.br/assistir.htm?video=video-flagra-tubarao-avancando-contra-mergulhadores-em-jaula-04024E983166CC994326&tagIds=1793&orderBy=mais-recentes&edFilter=editorial&time=all, a shark cage diving group in South Africa was surprised when a shark managed to stick its head inside the cage that they were in. Tony Baker from Great White Shark Tours (https://www.facebook.com/Great.White.Shark.Tours?fref=ts ) said, "On the afternoon of 21st March, while divers were in the viewing cage, a young great white shark of approximately 2 ½ m in length came up to the cage and stuck its snout and head into the viewing gap for about 5 seconds. No injury to any diver or shark occurred. The cage is built to industry standards and is inspected annually by the Maritime Authority. The viewing gap was immediately reduced by approximately 10%. This incident has been reported to the Great White Protection Foundation of which we are a member. There wasn't any sloppy bait handling, just a shark that decided to rocket towards the cage for no reason!! It may have been spooked by a bigger shark below...”

FIVE MORE SHARK SPECIES NOW PROTECTED BY CITES

11^th March 2013 was a landmark moment for marine conservation, with five more shark species and manta rays all being listed on Appendix II of CITES. The five species are the oceanic white tip, porbeagle and three hammerhead species, which join the whale shark, white shark and basking shark already on Appendix II. For more on the story, visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/11/shark-species-greater-protection-finning .

WHALE SHARK SAFARI IN KENYA

According to the web page found at http://news.yahoo.com/kenya-whale-shark-safari-swims-controversy-115314986.html , “a new marine enclosure (in Kenya) will allow holidaymakers to snorkel with live whale sharks. Organisers of the Indian Ocean sea park say the €100 ticket price ($134 USD) will fund schemes to stop the docile fish from being wiped out. But a vocal group of conservationists says it is cruel and unnecessary to catch and exhibit animals, and wants to stop the scheme, saying it puts money before animal welfare. Organisers have dismissed critics as "over-emotional eco-zealots". The heated debate raises a question that splits conservationists: whether showcasing captive animals advances or hinders their efforts.”

FIVE more shark species now protected by CITES

11th March 2013 was a landmark moment for marine conservation, with five more shark species and manta rays all being listed on Appendix II of CITES. The five species are the oceanic white tip, porbeagle and three hammerhead species, which join the whale shark, white shark and basking shark already on Appendix II. For more on the story, visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/11/shark-species-greater-protection-finning.

MAKO SHARKS

A documentary DVD mentioned that mako sharks swim some 2000km per month in search of prey. This was certainly backed up by Morry the mako who swam some 15,700km in 7 months after being tagged off of Port MacDonnell, South Australia on 5^th June 2012. The 2m-long male mako shark swam to Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean and back again in those 7 months. He had returned to within 200km of where he was tagged in south-eastern SA by 16^th February 2013.

SHARK BOOK FOR PRINCE WILLIAM

It seems that when Prince William was visiting Australia recently, CSIRO offered him its own book, “Sharks and Rays of Australia” by Peter Last & John Stevens (illustrated by Roger Swainston). Visit http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=532250313473590&set=a.163876156977676.32427.157684427596849&type=1&relevant_count=1 for more details.

INDONESIA ANNOUNCES SHARK AND MANTA RAY SANCTUARY

Indonesia has announced a new shark and manta ray sanctuary, the first to protect the species in the rich marine ecosystem of the Coral Triangle, known as the "Amazon of the ocean". Environmentalists on Wednesday welcomed the creation of the 46,000-square-kilometre protection zone, in an area at risk from both overfishing and climate change. The local government in Raja Ampat on the western tip of New Guinea island announced the move this week, issuing local regulations to ban the finning and fishing of sharks in the area, a tourist destination popular with divers. Meanwhile, Queensland researchers have spotted an unusually large group of manta rays in a feeding frenzy near Lady Elliot Island. University of Queensland researcher Dr Kathy Townsend believes up to 150 manta rays were feeding in the area last month. She said thephenomenon was a result of recent flooding in Bundaberg, with excess levels of water sending a surge of nutrients into the ocean, leading to a spike in plankton.

Recent shark deaths

A 4m-long dead white pointer shark washed up on a beach near Port Lincoln, South Australia was found with its jaws removed. Despite being a protected species in SA, it had been possibly been shot several times in the head. The shark's carcass was rotting away when it was discovered by beachcombers. Any one found guilty of killing a white pointer shark in SA faces a $20,000 fine. The shark may have been shot and killed merely for the taking of its "prized" jaws. In the meantime, a 4m-long shark blamed for killing Adam Strange in New Zealand was shot by police officers.

Total global shark mortality

According to David Whysharksmatter Shiffman "A new study has estimated the total global shark mortality for the first time, and came up with a figure of between 63 and 273 million sharks a year. For more details on the origin and importance of this estimate, please see http://links.causes.com/s/clI60k?r=Q9FJ

"Dive" magazine article about diving with sharks

The March 2013 issue of "Dive" magazine has a good article about diving with sharks. It can be found at http://digital.divemagazine.co.uk/ or
http://digital.divemagazine.co.uk/Portal/Default.aspx?Id=1

Electronic Shark Defense System

A new shark deterrent is now available for divers and other water users. ESDS is an effective, tested technology that repels dangerous sharks. It is a compact 2.65 x 2.3 x 1.15 inches & lightweight at approx. 7oz. It comes with a built-in battery that lasts nine hours in the water and can be re-charged. It automatically turns itself on in the water and easily powers through the roughest ocean conditions. Divers themselves can only receive a shock from the unit if they happen to touch 2 contact points simultaneously. Visit https://www.esdshawaii.com/ to view 3½ minutes of video footage about the device. Online purchases can be made via https://www.esdshawaii.com/shop. Specifications are:

Depth:            150 feet maximum

Dimensions:        Approximately 2.65”W X 2.30”H X 1.15”L (enclosure only)

Weight:            Approximately 7 oz.

Power:            Internal 3.7V Li-ion battery

Battery Charger:    6 VDC,  1.0 Amp wall transformer

Charging Time:        Approximately 7 hours (new battery, varies over time)

Operational Time:    9 hours (in water)

Output:            120V to 200V pulsed proprietary wave form

Electrodes:        2 electrodes, each approximately 1” X 1” stainless steel mesh