The Dorsal Fin

Discovery Networks recently uploaded the video above to their YouTube channel which focuses on recently passed legislation in Chile, Honduras, and the Bahamas that helps to protect sharks within those countries’ waters. Honduras and the Bahamas have recently banned commercial fishing making their waters a “shark sanctuary,” while Chile has banned the practice of shark finning.

A new law which effectively makes Bahamas waters a shark sanctuary went into effect yesterday (July 6). The law which prohibits commercial shark fishing applies to an estimated 243,000 square miles, according to the WPTV report. Shark-related eco-tourism has brought in over $80 million to the Bahamian government.

It’s worth pointing out that at the end of this feature, the reporter mentions Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering adding more protected species “like the great white.” The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is already protected in Florida waters according to the FWC and NOAA.

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) has recently released a series of PSAs in collaboration with the Pew Environment Group with the goal of promoting the protection of sharks within all of The Bahamas’ Exclusive Economic Zone, which an encompasses approximately 630,000 square kilometers of ocean.

According to the PSA above, shark-related tourism brings in 78 million dollars (presumably BSD) to the Bahamian economy. The PSA also stresses the importance of sharks within the marine ecosystem.

A second similarly-themed PSA, also featuring Bahamian children, focuses on the shark trade and global statistics regarding shark populations.

YouTube user GrantJohnsonMD has posted a video of a free-swimming great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) being tagged off of Bimini, Bahamas. The shark is described as a 12′ female and was tagged with a with a NMFS dart tag, which will help with research purposes to better understand the species, which is listed as “endangered” on the IUCN redlist.

The video description points out that the shark was tagged while free-swimming (as opposed to a catch and release tagging) in order to reduce stress on the animal. As can be seen in the video, the shark does not seem to be fazed by the tagging process. She remains in the area after being tagged and continues to show interest in the hang bait.

Yesterday, well-known dive operator Jim Abernathy was bitten on the arm by a lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris), according to WPTV.com. The report stated that Abernathy was in “good condition” and required stitches to close-up the wound. Abernathy was bitten 18 miles north of the Bahamas while diving.

Abernathy spoke with WPTV and referred to the shark bite as a “minor incident” and went on to say that it will not deter him from diving with sharks or continuing his mission to help protect sharks. Abernathy hopes to be back in the water within “a few days,” according to the report.

Here’s to a speedy and full recovery for Mr. Abernathy.