The Dorsal Fin

YouTube user matthadlingtonmusic recently posted the above video which is described as a “draft” of the main theme music to a documentary titled “Shiver.” Based on the video description, “Shiver” is an upcoming documentary that focuses on the shark fin trade in Mozambique.

The Virginia Pilot is reporting that teen surfer Caleb Kauchak suffered multiple small bite wounds while surfing off Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach, yesterday. Kauchak’s injuries were not life threatening and will “probably just need stitches,” according to the report, which identified the injuries as “suspected” shark bite wounds. The report also noted that Tyler Christopher, who was surfing with Kauchak, said that he too was attacked but only suffered a ripped swimsuit.

While nobody saw the animal responsible for the attack, medics who treated Kauchak said that the injuries were consistent with the bite marks from a small shark. According to the WAVY.com video report above, markings on Kauchak’s surfboard will be analyzed with the hope of identifying the attacking species.

Kauchak is expected to fully recover. He told The Virginia Pilot that he plans to get back in the water and surf again.

According to Carolina Beach Today a family who caught a “shark encounter” on video are still trying to identify the shark that passed close by them on September 14. A mother and her three children are seen playing in the shallows when the shark passed by. While there is never really a good clear shot of the shark, after strategically pausing the video around 30 seconds and getting a decent look at the dorsal and caudal fins, I’m going to throw my guess out there as the species being a sandbar shark, which are commonly found in the area. I’ve also got a vote for a blacktip shark, which are also common in the area.

UPDATE: I was able to pull the following frames from the video that show the dorsal and caudal fins.

These frames show the best views of the shark filmed at Carolina Beach.

SyFy’s “Sharktopus” premieres tomorrow (September 25) at 9PM EDT. The plot is centered around a bio-engineered half-shark, half-octopus creature that wreaks havoc at a Mexico beach. I know that you’re probably thinking with a cheesy plot like that, why would anybody want to watch “Sharktopus?” Well, did I mention that Eric Roberts is in it?

Based on the trailer above, viewers can expect to be treated to amazing computer generated effects that rival the graphics of video games from the late 1990s. The only things that appear more fake than the actual creature effects are a vast majority of the boobs shown throughout the trailer.

In order to find more cheese than one should expect to find in “Sharktopus,” a trip to Wisconsin would likely be in order. With scenes including a battle between the sharktopus and a great white shark, I have little doubt that “Sharktopus” will go down in history as one of the best shark-octopus hybrid movies of all time…and one of the worst shark-octopus hybrid movies of all time.

WARNING: Video features footage of live sharks being finned.

Wired.com recently featured a report on shark finning, which included the video above. The article does not really offer up anything new on the topic, but perhaps by appearing at Wired.com it brings the subject to an audience that might not be familiar with shark finning. The article also many links to the reader with the intent of supporting anti-finning organizations and legislation.

The video, along with the article, essentially explains the shark finning process, along with the demand for shark fin soup. The socioeconomic issues involved in the shark fin industry are briefly touched upon, as well. Additionally, measures to intended to help curb the demand for shark fins are also briefly covered, including Hawaii’s shark fin ban.

It should be noted that the statistic regarding an estimated 73 million sharks killed annually is derived from the top-end estimate found in a study by Shelley Clarke et al. I have yet to find a reference for the statistic regarding a 90% decline in certain species. If any readers are familiar with the source for this statistic, please let know. Thanks!