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.