The Dorsal Fin

Mike Gerken recently posted a video that features a large gathering of sand tiger sharks (Carcharias taurus) on the wreck of the USS Schurz off the North Carolina coast. The sand tiger shark footage begins at about 1:25 into the video. The video was shot on November 20, 2011.

DiscoveryNetworks has shared the video above which focuses on sand tiger sharks (Carcharias taurus). The feature is shot at the Florida Aquarium after it had recently added 6 sand tigers to the aquarium. Allan Marshall (VP of Operations for Florida Aquarium) says that the species is ideal to help educate people about sharks. The sand tiger’s “menacing” appearance really grabs the attention of aquarium visitors, once the sharks have the aquarium visitors’ attention, the aquarium staff can then educate them about the true nature of the sharks.

Sand tiger sharks, aka grey nurse sharks (AUS) and ragged tooth sharks (RSA), are generally viewed as docile and harmless to humans. According to Marshall, the species, was wrongfully blamed in the past for attacks on humans, simply due to its appearance, which led to hunting of the species. The species is now protected in Australian, South African, and U.S. waters.

DiscoveryNetworks also added a second video focusing on the journey that the six sand tiger sharks made to get to the Florida Aquarium.

Sand tiger sharks are one of the species affected by new Delaware fishing rules.

Delaware Online is reporting that an angler who caught and released a sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) was cited and fined for “failing to release the fish in the water as quickly as possible.” The new rules require that protected species not be removed from the water.

Kevin Schultze ended up paying $269 in fines and court fees after landing the shark on the beach at Cape Henlopen, according to the report. Schultze took photos of the shark on the beach and then released. Despite the fact that the shark was released, under the new rules Schultze was fined for bring the shark up on the shore instead of releasing it in the water. He said he was unaware of the new rules but will “live and learn” from the fine.

Mike Gerken recently added the above video to his EvolutionUnderwater, which features footage of what the video description identifies as multiple Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) at the wreck of the “Papoose” about 30 miles off the coast of Morehead City, NC. While the wrecks in this area are well-known for their sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) populations, it is considered rare for Caribbean reef sharks to be as far north as the waters off of North Carolina.

Kudos to Mike for capturing this encounter on video. For more information check out Mike’s Evolution Underwater website and Evolution Underwater blog

Pro Dive South Africa recently added the above video to YouTube, which showcases a rescue effort to save a young sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) or spotted ragged-tooth shark, as they’re known in South Africa. The shark had apparently become entangled in some fishing line after being hooked. The line had cut into the shark’s head, and the hook was still embedded in the shark’s mouth.

Thanks to the efforts of Pro Dive South Africa, the shark was freed from both the fishing line and the hook. The actions of these divers will hopefully increase the shark’s chances for survival. Kudos to all those involved in this rescue effort!