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.

SBS World News Australia recently posted the interview above to YouTube, which features retired NBA star Yao Ming. While the interview covers many topics including Ming’s basketball career as a player and now a club owner, it also touches on environmental issues including pollution and shark conservation. Ming has been outspoken in recent years about shark conservation and has encouraged an end to the consumption of shark fin soup.

Swimmer Diana Nyad was forced to abandon her attempted swim from Havana, Cuba to Key West, Florida, according to an AP report. Nyad had made a point to address that no sharks would be harmed by her team during her swim. Nyad had hired a team of professional divers with many years of experience diving with sharks in order to protect both her and any sharks encountered during the long-distance swim.

CNN reports that Nyad was having trouble with shoulder pain, asthma, and nausea. Nyad faced strong winds and currents in addition to her problematic physical symptoms. Nyad was forced to abandon the swim 29 hours into the journey.

According to an MSNBC report, long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad will attempt to swim 103 miles through “shark-infested” waters from Cuba to Key West, Florida at the age of 61.

CNN is reporting that Nyad wants to make it “crystal clear” that no sharks will be harmed by her team during her upcoming swim. She told CNN that she will have a team of professional divers with many years of experience in using “cutting-edge” non-lethal shark deterrents. She went on to that the team will act to protect her, while respecting the animals she might encounter.

Nyad is expected to begin the swim sometime in the very near future when the weather and ocean conditions are most ideal for the 103 mile journey. It is expected that the swim will take around 60 hours to complete.

In case you were wondering why Andy Samberg is Shark Week’s Chief Shark Officer, DiscoveryNetworks has posted a brief interview with Samberg addressing the issue. Reasons for Samberg’s role include Samberg’s love of sharks, not being a good swimmer, and Justin Timberlake turning down the position.

“Shark Week” begins Sunday July 31 at 9pm on the Discovery Channel.