Courtesy of David Whysharksmatter Shiffman

New video shows how thresher sharks use their tails to catch prey: http://rtseablog.blogspot.com/2010/05/threshers-tale-tail-video-footage.html

The Great White formerly held in captivity in Monterrey Bay aquarium has been killed by fishermen: http://www.thedorsalfin.com/shark-news-stories/monterey-bay-aquarium-great-white-shark-killed/

A prehistoric megaladon nursery has been discovered off the coast of Panama: http://scienceblogs.com/laelaps/2010/05/off_the_coast_of_panama_a_preh.php?

The oil spill may impact endangered whale sharks: http://sharkdivers.blogspot.com/2010/04/oil-spill-in-gulf-whale-shark-impact.html

SHARK FINS BANNED IN HAWAII

Hawaii has now banned shark fins by the passing of a bill prohibiting the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins. It is hoped that the new law will help to protect sharks from becoming extinct due to overfishing. Hawaii is the first US state to ban shark fins. (This was reported in the May 30th issue of the Sunday Mail, the newspaper which is yet to formally recognise the threat of shark finning (following its 2-page spread on April 18th about a local restaurant selling a seafood soup of which shark fin was a main ingredient. We asked the Sunday Mail to do a feature article about shark finning but the Mail news desk indicated that they are more than happy to run a follow up article, however, the article needs to be primarily based on something reportable, i.e. an event, screening, protest, etc. . I have now implored the Mail to run a feature on the threat of shark finning. Visit http://sites.google.com/site/sascubadivingsite/sharks/more-about-adelaide-s-shark-fin-soup-story for more details.)

Dismay over Sunday Mail's promotion of SA restaurant selling shark fin soup

On April 18th, Adelaide's Sunday Mail ran a 2-page spread about a local restaurant selling a seafood soup of which shark fin was a main ingredient. Residents of Adelaide responded beautifully, with the 1st response to the item on the AdelaideNow website being posted 1st thing Sunday morning. Many of SA's divers & scientists have now expressed their dismay. There had been some 150 responses within a few days, several of them coming from overseas. My own response read: - "Clearly the Sunday Mail has overstepped the mark by promoting shark fin soup in this era. I'm glad to see that Adelaide has responded en masse. But this is not the end of the matter. It will be brought to the attention of a wider audience which expected to express its dismay in a huge way." Dive Log magazine & SportDiving magazine have offered to make a stand against the Mail's thoughtlessness in promoting both the restaurant and the meal. The page 24 article can also be read at http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/food-wine/soup-of-the-day-for-450/story-e6fref5u-1225854379693. Be sure to study the numerous responses to the article.

Great white shark sets world record for deepest dive

April Fool? A New Zealand great white shark has apparently set a world record for the deepest ever known dive of 1200 metres. It was reported in the media (papers & Internet) on 1st April. New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) says that the biggest great white shark that they had ever tagged (4.8m long) has also dived to the deepest depth that they have recorded. Details can be found at
http://www.niwa.co.nz/our-science/oceans/news/all/great-white-sharks-are-taking-tropical-winter-holidays-too. Film footage can be found at ftp://ftp.niwa.co.nz/niwamedia/white%20sharks/PAL_niwa_white_shark.mov

LEMON SHARKS ADDED TO FLORIDA'S PROHIBITED SPECIES LIST

Last year, a petition to protect Lemon Sharks in Florida was instigated by a coalition of scientists, divers and shark conservation groups. The petition received 5560 signatures and the campaign was a success. On 18th February the Commissioners of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted unanimously to add Lemon Sharks to Florida's Prohibited Species List. This means that the harvest of lemon sharks - commercial and recreational - is now prohibited in Florida State waters.

Porbeagle shark added to CITES today

Today the Humane Society International welcomed the inclusion of the porbeagle shark in the CITES Appendices. The shark is the first commercially valuable shark species added to CITES in the treaty’s more than 30-year history. Unfortunately, 3 other proposals considered at CITES to provide protection for the scalloped hammerhead, oceanic whitetip shark and the spiny dogfish shark failed to be adopted. It is possible that these decisions may be reconsidered and reversed later this week as the meeting concludes. Meanwhile, HSI will continue to urge countries to take urgent action to protect their shark species. Visit http://www.hsi.org.au/emailmarketer/display.php?M=4192&C=a2a5f8f38fd13970b8bc5a149bcb5512&S=207&L=3&N=71 for more details.

Diver wrestling a shark to remove a frisbee

Another CBS Early Show shark feature can be found at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/05/earlyshow/living/petplanet/main6269941.shtml?tag=latest . It concerns a diver wrestling a nurse shark to remove a frisbee caught around its body. There's a photo and video footage of the feature.