Comments for The Dorsal Fin

Comment on Group sues state of California over shark fin ban by drudown

drudown — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:33:12 +0000

Notwithstanding the AARC’s assertions to the contrary, the irony here, of course, is that the Commerce Clause is most commonly invoked as a justification when federal law implicates interstate trade or exchange- not only interstate navigation (see, e.g., Gibbins v. Ogden [1824] 22 U.S. 1) but also the trade of meat products across state lines (see, e.g., Swift and Company [1905] 196 U.S. 375).

Here, it is difficult for the AARC to credibly contend that the ban on shark fins does not have a “substantial economic effect” on interstate commerce or that the “cumulative effect” of the ban could not have an effect on such commerce (see, e.g., NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. [1937] 301 U.S. 1).

As such, the AARC’s claim is not only a misguided pretext to overturn important regulatory action to help conserve sharks under the auspices of greed, the legal authority cited to do so appears unfounded.

Comment on Shark caught on camera in Hawaii waters – mako or white shark? by Jack Schidt

Jack Schidt — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:02:17 +0000

Mako face! When the mouth is closed, the eye of a White Shark is forward of the leading edge of the lower jaw. On a Mako, the eye is just behind the leading edge of the lower jaw. But wow, cool fish, and so big these experienced fishermen think its a Great White!
But this fish is no joke. When it makes eye contact, its as if she is saying, “I am way faster than this boat, and I could come up there and make everyone one of you bleed.” Better be well prepared before hooking up with a female like this, she might make you regret it.

Comment on Nat Geo video: Did killer whale attack great white shark using tonic immobility? by Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:40:55 +0000

Does anyone know what type of Orca CA 2 is? I’ve heard that there are about five species of orcas, including “transient” orcas, which are the most aggressive. Can someone enlighten me? My knowledge is based more around sharks than whales.

Comment on 3m great white shark breaches and lands in Oceans Research boat by Kristen Yiels

Kristen Yiels — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:37:37 +0000

LOL

Comment on Video: Freediving with great white sharks by Ocean Encounters by Al

Al — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:46:13 +0000

A-ma-zing!

Comment on Shark caught on camera in Hawaii waters – mako or white shark? by Al

Al — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:43:34 +0000

Mako.But a mighty big one.

Comment on Claims of protected great white shark bludgeoned to death by DeepAddiction47

DeepAddiction47 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:11:43 +0000

This did indeed happen. Hopefully he will be punished to the fullest extent of the law but sadly here in Australia the DPI tend to go too soft on morons like this. In 2009, a commercial tuna long liner was caught with a large number of shark fins on board. The skipper and owner we’re given minimal fines and permitted to keep their fishing licence. Also, poachers from Indonesia sharkfinning our northern waters when caught, in almost all cases the skipper or owner of the vessel receive a minimal fine and get to keep their boat only to be re-arrested a month or so later doing the same thing in the same boat thats been painted a different colour. Unbelievably the Australian government (Julia Gillards labour party)still issue a minimum fine and still gives the boat back, again!
FYI, Australian politicians say Australia is not a shark finning nation yet every year we export hundreds of tons of shark fin to Asia. They claim the fin is “only the by-product of the catch”. At $8 per kilo for the flesh and $100 per kilo for the fins it’s obvious to many what they are actually out there for. If you catch a shark, remove the fins and then sell the fins for profit then you ARE a shark finning nation regardless of how they try to justify it!

Comment on Shark caught on camera in Hawaii waters – mako or white shark? by DeepAddiction47

DeepAddiction47 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:52:38 +0000

For Annafish, in answer to your question why have two motors; it’s much safer for offshore boating to have a twin rig set up. If one motor fails you still have the other to limp home with, the likelihood of two motors failing is unlikely. So it essentially comes down to a safety thing and not so much a bragging rights thing. As for the shark, I initially thought it was actually a Longfin Mako, but after watching a few times I agree it’s most likely a sub-adult Great White.

Comment on Shark caught on camera in Hawaii waters – mako or white shark? by Joe I

Joe I — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:46:42 +0000

This is Isurus oxyrinchus/Shortfin Mako. As Dorasl Fin pointed out moving to circa 2:10-2:15 on the video will provide ample evidence of the shark’s species by viewing both the coloration, eye shape and position in addition to the shape of the shark’s mouth (with teeth slightly visible)

The Great White does in fact “spy hop” which is the correct application of a term that is not wholly owned by cetaceans (usually applied to the Orca)as a variety of species of shark do this as well.

However there is no evidence on this video of this shark spy hopping nor would that behavior change the fact that this is in fact a Shortfin Mako.

Comment on Shark caught on camera in Hawaii waters – mako or white shark? by Mike

Mike — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:23:24 +0000

Spyhop? no..its a Mako…it did roll and check the crew out..spyhop no. No serrated edges on the trailing edge of the dorsal fin…even juvenile whites have that..
Amazing video though..these guys saw an amazing piece of nature that day..wow