The Dorsal Fin

Are great white sharks and giant squid doing battle in the depths of the Pacific?
If so, there isn't any solid evidence to substantiate it, at this point.

A recent article that appeared online at the LA Times website suggests that great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and giant squid (species from the Architeuthis genus) might “battle” it out in the depths of the Pacific. The theory, which other media outlets are running with as if it were scientifically proven, seems entirely based on research of migratory patterns of white sharks being conducted by Michael Domeier.
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According to The Boston Globe, data from a third great white shark tagged last September in Massachusetts waters is now being transmitted. Data from two other great white sharks tagged in the same area revealed that the sharks traveled 1,000 miles south over a two-month span and are currently in Florida waters.

Greg Skomal of the Massachusetts’ Division of Marine Wildlife said the sharks “hugged the coast” during their travels, unlike similarly tracked great white sharks in the Pacific, who often journey far offshore. Skomal also noted that the sharks reached depths of 1,500′ during the migration.

YouTube user Ptsearch recently added the video below featuring a diver removing what appears to be an Aerobie flying ring from a nurse shark.

While nurse shark’s are bottom-feeders and are generally harmless toward humans, I still feel the need to give a “Kids, don’t try this at home,” warning, as the species has been known to occasionally latch on to divers when harassed or handled. Kudos to the diver in this video for clearing the shark of its unwanted accessory.

They really aren't the same year. I promise.

ABC News’, Shark Attacks Rise Worldwide But Drop In the U.S., wouldn’t exactly serve as a benchmark for statistical analysis on annual shark attack incidents. The article attributes a “rise” in global attacks to comparisons of reported attacks from 2008 (60) and 2009 (61). It also seems that the report can’t even distinguish between the 2009 and 2010 incidents, as evidence by the follow excerpt…

“In 2009, there were 61 total shark attacks, five of them fatal, including a 38 year old kiteboarder killed off the Florida coast last month.” – ABC News

Admittedly, I’ve been known to lose track of what day it is. However, I’m fairly certain that 2009 attacks would not include incidents from “last month,” which was February, 2010.

The article also goes on to mention a drop in U.S. attacks. This observation is also based solely on comparisons between overall incident reports between 2008 and 2009. George Burgess offers up a theory on reasons for this “drop,” although the article is polite enough to note that Burgess’ theory (much like the rest of the article) is “based on little scientific evidence.”

The aquarium with the “World’s Largest Acrylic Panel” sprung a leak today. The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo began leaking water today. According to the Khaleej Times, the leak was quickly brought under control and “did not cause any environmental effect or harm to the species.” Apparently, no injuries to mall patrons were reported either, thankfully. The aquarium, which holds over 2 million gallons of water, is home to over 33,000 specimens of marine life, including over 400 sharks and rays.

And yes, multiple “news” sources have tried to play up the danger of this event due to the aquarium being “shark-filled.” In reality, a leakage at an aquarium filled with over 2 million gallons of water and over 400 sharks does have catastrophic potential, but the danger is due to the 2 million gallons of water, not the sharks in it.