The Dorsal Fin » shark news

Dead blue shark found in woods of Milton, New Hampshire

TheDorsalFin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:26:03 +0000

In some odd shark-related news, CNN and WMUR are reporting that the carcass of a 6-8′ blue shark (Prionace glauca) was found in the woods in Milton, New Hampshire. The dead shark was found discarded approximately 50 miles from the coast. According to WMUR.com, authorities who were called to the scene decided to leave the carcass where it lay and “let nature takes its course.”

Whale sharks draw local tourists in Java

TheDorsalFin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:07:14 +0000

The presence of whale sharks along the coast of East Java, Indonesia are causing an increase in local tourism. The migration patterns of the whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) take them through the area between January and March, and locals are paying up to 5,000 Indonesian Rupiah (which amounts to about $0.53 US, according to the NTD World News report) for boat trips taking them in close proximity of the sharks.

While it’s great to see a positive interest in these animals, the interview with one of the tourists about her fears towards being near a “shark” (despite it being a filter feeder) is indicative of some of the common misconceptions that are out there when it comes to sharks, in general. Then again, the fact that the news anchor referred to the fish as “mammals” might serve as a better example of the lack of understanding towards these animals. My only other major complaint with the report is that the “tour guide” featured in the video is shown apparently attempting to ride a whale shark.

While the report might be a be off on a few “facts,” it’s good to see a generally positive shark story in the news. It’s even more refreshing to hear the sharks referred to as “friendly fish.”

NY Post spreads misinformation about great white shark vision

TheDorsalFin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:14:03 +0000

A recent article in the NY Post features one of the photographs discussed in yesterday’s post about Amos Nachoum’s photos from an illegal cage-less commercial dive at Isla de Guadalupe. The article, “Hi there, will you be my chum?” makes the absolutely baseless statement that “great whites are so short-sighted they can hardly spot what’s right in front of them.” While it was once thought that white sharks had poor vision (it was also once thought that the Earth was flat), research has shown that white sharks have a highly developed visual system. Perhaps, the article’s author, Andy Soltis, should give this article about white shark vision a read.

The eye of a male great white shark. Fear not. He can see you just fine.

As far as the bit about a white shark hardly be able to spot what’s right in front of them, I’d suggest going for a white shark dive. Anybody who has been close enough to see the blue iris of a passing white shark can tell you that a great white shark will often “track” you with its eye movements as it swims by.

A female great white shark looks directly at the camera as she passes by.

Granted, the whole theme of the article seems to be rather whimsical, in nature. However, the NY Post’s somewhat tabloid status, doesn’t excuse it from posting/printing completely unfounded “information.”

Multiple news sources now reporting North Carolina “shark attack” was actually an accidental drowning

TheDorsalFin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:19:38 +0000

In an update to yesterday’s post, multiple news sources are now reporting that the state medical examiner’s office has changed the cause of death from shark attack to accidental drowning, in the case of a 60-year old Pennsylvania man who went missing last month after going for a late-night swim off of Corolla Beach in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The Virginia Pilot, is now reporting that "a spokesman for the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, where the autopsy was conducted, confirmed the change in the cause of death." In addition, East Carolina Radio News is also reporting that a report from the office of the medical examiner in Greenville, NC states that the victim had drowned prior to sustaining shark bites.

It is unclear how or why the cause of the death was apparently misdiagnosed. As one reader commented at the Virginia Pilot article, “I hope this does not add to the family’s anguish.”

New ghostshark species identified off Southern California

TheDorsalFin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:34:40 +0000

According to an article at Wired.com, scientists have identified a new species of ghostshark, which is actually classified in the chimera family. The newly identified species, Hydrolagus melanophasma, was described by Doug Long (California Academy of Sciences) as, “a big weird looking freaky thing.” The species also has an organ extending from its forehead called a tentaculum. The tentaculum was described as a “club with spike,” which some presume is used in the mating process. While the species was recently identified, it was "discovered" long before in the sense that specimens of the species existed at the Scripps Oceanographic Institute and simply had not been identified. To read the entire article and see a photo of Hydrolagus melanophasma, head on over to Wired.com

Medical examiner seeks second opinion on fatal shark attack

TheDorsalFin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:50:02 +0000

A state medical examiner from North Carolina is seeking the opinion of George Burgess in the death of Richard Sneed. Sneed was reported missing on September 13 after he did not return from a late night swim. His body was found on the shore of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, according to NBC-2. The autopsy report listed shark attack as the cause of death for Sneed. However, News Channel WTKR, the medical examiner has requested Burgess’ opinion on the cause of death. Burgess expressed that it might be difficult to determine whether the shark bites Sneed sustained were the cause of death or had occurred post mortem, due to the fact that Sneed’s body had been in the water for several days.

The loss of Richard Sneed is a tragedy regardless of the cause of death. My condolences and sympathy go out to the friends and family of Mr. Sneed.

No great white sharks spotted in Chatham since September 8

TheDorsalFin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:20:52 +0000

According to the Cape Cod Times, no aerial sightings of great white sharks have been reported in Chatham waters since September 8. While no sightings have been reported, the appearance of injured or dead seals are the only apparent of the white sharks presence in Cape Cod waters according to Chatham harbor master, Stuart Smith.

PETA to join in on the hype of Cape Cod great white sharks

TheDorsalFin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:30:50 +0000

According to the PETA press release, PETA’s Pro-Shark Banner to Fly Over Cape Cod, the organization will be flying a banner over Lighthouse Beach in Chatham, Massachusetts today. Strangely, the banner, which will read "Dangerous Predator in Water–YOU! Go Veg!" suspiciously reads more like a pro-vegetarian message than it does a pro-shark one. Perhaps, PETA is trying to take a cue from Finding Nemo, and the message itself is actually intended for the sharks to encourage them to switch to a vegetarian diet, which could result in a healthier lifestyle for the sharks. That would certainly be a "pro-shark" message.

Following the "Fish are friends, not food." motto, a great white shark tries out mouthful of seaweed.

All kidding aside, the PETA press release states that the message is part of campaign "raise awareness of the plight of sea animals who are killed for food." The press release goes on to discuss the detrimental effects of overfishing on marine species, including sharks. While I certainly support efforts to raise awareness about responsible conservation efforts, I’m not sure that pro-vegetarian grandstanding, really constitutes pro-shark efforts, per se.

While the concept of, "If everybody (and every animal) was a vegetarian, no marine animal would ever be killed for food,” is not lost on me, I don’t really see this as a realistic solution to overfishing or shark conservation efforts, at all. I’m also not convinced that the shock value of over-the-top, attention-grabbing efforts (such as pointing the finger at anyone within the visibility range of a banner, and calling him/her a "dangerous predator") actually do anything to help a cause. Sometimes, it seems like certain campaigns are intentionally offensive, in order to simply draw attention. While drawing attention is typically the goal of these types of campaigns, if the general public is offended by a campaign, the underlying message of it is going to be lost. That’s just my two cents, though, and you can’t even buy a gumball with two cents any more.

Three more great white sharks tagged near Chatham

TheDorsalFin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:12:55 +0000

According the AP, three more great white sharks were tagged yesterday (09/08/09) off of Monomoy Island near Chatham, Massachusetts. This brings the total number of white sharks tagged to five, in the past week (two great white sharks were tagged in the area on Saturday). Several Chatham beaches continued to remain closed due to the presence of the great white sharks in the area.

CBS news also reported on this story, but they apparently could not resist the temptation to play up the "Jaws" angle, as seen in the video segment below.

From a shark research standpoint, the tagging of five white sharks in the Atlantic is exciting news. Hopefully, the data acquired as a result of the taggings will lead to more insight into migratory behaviors of Atlantic-bound great white sharks.

Tiger shark hassles the Hoff

TheDorsalFin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:23:03 +0000

Learn it. Live it.

In the "Why is this even considered newsworthy?" story of the week, former Knight Rider, Baywatch, and YouTube video star, David Hasselhof, was reported to have a supposedly "close call" with a tiger shark while filming a shark-related television series for the Underwater Channel, according to the Houston Chronicle According to the article, Hasselhoff was given a scare when a 10′ (3m) female tiger shark began swimming toward him with her mouth open. According to Hasselhoff, he "held out the bait, hoping that would keep her happy." The shark took the bait and then "retreated."

If I didn’t know any better, based on Hasselfhoff’s account, it would seem as though the shark was reacting to the "bait" that he was holding rather than Hasselhoff, himself. The last time I checked, "bait" is used to lure and entice, so I’m not sure why it’s news that baiting a tiger shark would result in the tiger shark responding accordingly to the situation.