The Dorsal Fin

Footage from the Australian Institute of Marine Science’s Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS) is making news in Australia’s The Courier-Mail. While The Courier-Mail article claims the video features a tiger shark “stalking” a sea snake, it certainly looks more like the tiger shark is “stalking” bait attached to the BRUVS unit, based on the footage. Regarldess, the footage (which appeared on the AIMS site back in August) is definitely worth a watch…

Sport Fishing with Dan Hernandez posted the video seen below on YouTube. This is what happens when you try to reel in a tuna at Isla de Guadalupe when there are white sharks around. They don’t call it the “Island of the Great White Shark” for nothing.

Not too long ago, I stumbled across a photo that somebody had posted one of my Facebook shark groups of an amazing great white shark sculpture, which I assumed to be from a museum. After doing a little digging and Google-ing (or is it Googling?), I managed to find the website of Bill Wieger, the amazing sculptor behind the the artwork. As it turns out, several of these incredible white shark sculptures are available for purchase through Wiegers’ online store. To top it all off, a portion of the sales from these awesome sculptures goes to the Guadalupe Island Conservation Fund.

As you can see from some of the pictures I've included here, Wieger has created some phenomenal works of art, based on great white sharks. His other work includes various forms of wildlife (including gorillas, tigers, dolphin, and orca), as well as art based on science fiction and fantasy themes. To get a good look at some hi-res images of Bill's sculptures, check out his gallery page.

In addition to be an artist, Wieger is also a shark diver. He believes strongly in animal rights and conservation. Along with the contributions to the Guadalupe Island Conservation Fund, Wieger donates proceeds from some of his other wildlife sculptures to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and to WildAid.

In addition to his white shark sculptures, Wieger also offers resin shark teeth cast from original white shark and Megalodon teeth. Wieger also has a selection of shark posters available.

If you’d like to see more of Bill Wieger’s work, or if you’re interested in purchasing one of his works of art, check out his website at www.billwieger.com.

All photos courtesy of Bill Wieger.

Australia’s Courier Mail has an interesting and amusing story about the battle of “giant shark movie” clips that is currently raging on YouTube. The contenders are the trailer for Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus, and a short excerpt from Shark Attack 3: Megalodon (which the Courier Mail incorrectly refers to as a “trailer” for the film). When it comes to view count, the Shark Attack 3: Megalodon clip is the winner hands down with over 17.5 million views, compared to Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus’ 2.1 million views. In all fairness, the Shark Attack 3: Megalodon clip has been on YouTube for 2 years longer than the Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus. View counts aside, though, which is the king of the giant shark movie?

The tale of the tape goes something like this…

Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus features:

• Acting sensations Lorenzo Lamas and Debbie Gibson (oops, DEBORAH Gibson)
• State-of-the-art computer-generated special effects that look like they came right off your 1996-era Nintendo 64 (you know you want to click the link)
• A shark attacking the Golden Gate Bridge
• A giant octopus knocking a fighter plane out of the sky
• A shark attacking a passenger jet
• No seriously, A SHARK ATTACKING A FREAKING PASSENGER JET!!!

Shark Attack 3: Megalodon features:

• Dazzling special effects involving actual white shark footage with actors superimposed into the footage for incredible “realism”
• Some of the most infamous dialog ever featured in modern film
• No appearances by either Lorenzo Lamas or Debbie Gibson

With each film having such unique strengths, it’s hard to pick a clear-cut winner (although Giant Shark vs. Mega Octopus does have a shark attacking a passenger jet!!!). I guess the only solution is to let you judge for yourselves. I’m going to go watch the true king of YouTube videos.