The Dorsal Fin

Underwater filmmaker Joe Romeiro has released yet another awesome white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) video. “Battle Scars” focuses on my favorite shark on the planet, “Cal Ripfin” (aka “Shredder”). Cal is a regular around Isla de Guadalupe in the fall months and is easily recognizable by his distinctive dorsal fin damage (as well as his many other “battle scars”).

Kudos to Joe for putting together another great video!

al.com recently posted an article regarding a study by researchers at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab regarding the stomach contents of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier). The article reports that researchers have found migratory birds in the stomachs of tiger sharks caught off the Alabama coast. The article goes on to discuss a theory that oil platforms are providing the tiger shark with a “bird buffet” due to the lights of the rigs attracting the birds and causing them to circle to platforms to the point of exhaustion, causing them to fall into the sea.

You can check out the full story at al.com.

Fin-free "shark fin" soup

According to an article from The New Yorker, San Franciso chef Corey Lee has created his version of “shark fin soup” that doesn’t use shark fins in the recipe. Lee worked with food scientists to develop an alternative method to create the “shark fin texture” The method involves using hydrocolloids in the broth to achieve the desired texture which Lee described as being “gelatinous and brittle” at the same time.

Lee’s version of the soup, which is served at his Benu restaurant, received approval from renown chef Cecelia Chiang. The New Yorker reports that Chiang, who is credited with bringing Northern Chinese cooking to America, had no idea that the soup was not made with shark fins.

You can check out the full story at The New Yorker’s Culture Desk.

The ITN News YouTube channel recently posted amateur video featuring a killer whale (Orcinus orca) attacking what appear to be broadnose sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus). The video was shot off the coast of New Zealand’s Blue Cliffs Beach, Tuatapere. One of the sharks beached itself, presumably to escape the orca.

Clinton Duffy, a marine scientist interviewed by ITN News, said that he expected that more orcas were present further from the shore and that the orca in the surf was likely trying to flush fish off shore for the other killer whales.

Central Coast News (KION 46) recently interviewed shark attack survivor Eric Tarantino about his encounter with a white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) while surfing off California’s Marina State Beach on October 29, 2011. Tarantino’s injuries from the shark bite have healed, and he plans to head back into the water before the end of the year, according to the interview with Central Coast News.

In addition to setting up a foundation to help Tarantino cover his medical expenses, Vernor Surfboards will be giving Tarantino a new surfboard and wetsuit to help get him back in the water.