The Dorsal Fin

Earth-Touch recently posted some video footage featuring primarily tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier). There’s also a few shots of some blacktip sharks mixed in. If you’re in the mood to watch a couple of minutes of shark video footage, this one is worth checking out.

Florida’s ABC-7 reports that Fort Myers Beach shrimpers saying they’re seeing more sharks than usual this season. Roger Schmall says that he’s never seen anything like what he’s experiencing this season throughout his 30 year career in the shrimp business. Schmall says that blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) and bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are feeding on his catches and causing damage to his shrimp nets.

Dr. Darren Rumbold says that no research is being conducted to determine whether the shark populations in the area are changing. Rumbold went on to say that it would be worthwhile to study due to the impacts of apex predators on the marine ecosystems.

YouTube user dnahoghunter recently posted the above video to demonstrate how NOT to handle a juvenile blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus). The video description points out that this incident was the result of improper safety and the shark was “simply doing what nature intended.”

While the blacktip shark is generally viewed as harmless toward humans, this video shows that even small wild animals can inflict quick damage on a person, given certain circumstances.

The clip above is an edited version of the incident. The full clip can be seen here.

A feature article about US Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Heald’s encounter with a shark off of New Smyrna Beach recently appeared at D7 Public Affairs.

Heald was surfing on September 2, when he found himself in the middle of a school of baitfish. Soon after, he saw the dorsal fin of what he believes was a blacktip shark. Upon trying to catch a wave into shore Heald was rammed and bitten on his leg by the shark. He was able to catch a wave into shore and was taken to a nearby medical center where he received stitches for his injuries. Heald returned to the water as soon as his injuries were healed. For the full-story visit US Coast Guard’s D7 Public Affairs.

Thanks to author, Petty Officer 3rd Class Cindy Beckert, for sending along the link to her article!

WAVY.com is reporting that local shark experts “almost certain that it was a shark, maybe even two” that bit surfer Caleb Kauchak, last week.

According to the report, Dr. Jack Music, Professor Emeritus at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is “certain it was a shark” and is “reasonably sure” that it was either a blacktip or spinner shark involved in the attack. Music has studied sharks for over forty years and has investigated previous attacks in the Virginia Beach area.

Speculation has run rampant in various media reports about what species bit the teen. The most recent WAVY.com report noted that there was speculation that the wounds could have been caused by bluefish, while an earlier WAVY.com report (seen above) mentioned a bull shark or sandbar shark as possible suspects.