Mini Mantas!

Behold - great job by Danny!

This has been produced for the CITES CoP.

I hear that when it comes to Fiji's proposal to list the Mobulas, things look promising - voting in Committee likely on Sunday, plenary vote possibly on Wednesday, so fingers crossed!

Enjoy - it's in 360 so watch in HD and do pan around!

Guadalupe - giant GWS!

This is the much hyped Big Blue.

And this is Tzitzimitl.

Martin who's been doing this forever and is considered the top authority on Lupe's GWS writes,

We just came back from an awesome trip to Guadalupe Island, where we encountered 33 different great white sharks in 3 days. Among them was Tzitzimitl, the biggest shark we have ever seen. She has been first seen at Guadalupe Island in 2002 and is #54 in our database. She is a very regular visitor to the island, doing the 2 year cycle that the big mature females there are known for. She has been sighted in 2002, 03, 05, 07, 12, 14 and now 2016.

Is she bigger than Deep Blue, the one some people claim is the biggest white shark ever filmed? Click on the link below for the video and judge for yourself.

So there - enjoy, and here!

Jason!

Friendliest, most accessible and most humble guy, ever!
The man himself here, Fiji Times here!

Tom - Interview!

Source. Interestingly, this is a subadult Blacktip Shark not a Spinner despite of the black marking on the anal fin that is diagnostic for adult Spinners. Click for detail.

Very nice!

Did I say that I like Tom?

Here he is talking about his photography, his prize and his research to a local TV station.

Enjoy!

Shark Attack - Video!

Watch - scary shit!

Yes that would be an ATTACK.

Not mistaken identity, not investigatory but predatory.

Yes I'm clearly speculating because it could also have been agonistic - but going for the propulsion is a typical hunting technique, and I'm sticking with my opinion.
This is a rather small animal, possibly a subadult transitioning from a piscivorous diet to also feeding on pinnipeds; and with no parents to teach it, this is likely a period of trial-and-error before, maybe, becoming more discerning - or not!

And try it certainly did!

 

Fixed!

Source.

Indeed you did!

Sharks are not fucking underwater scooters, ever!

Thank you Michelle - well done!

The secret Life of White Sharks!

Watch.

I totally support this.

Because a) Charlie is one of the good guys, because b) it involves GSD member Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions and especially, because c) this is important research for the Shark diving industry.
If you remember those papers by Barry Bruce, there were small localized effects with possible  ramifications for the fitness of the animals and the ecosystem, and Charlie is now embarking on a quest to come up with some solid evidence.
 

After Richard and Adam's lastest Whitetip Reefie paper, I very much suspect that those GWS may be expending a tad too much energy on those fruitless hunts (see here = 2008!) - and if so, is anybody taking bets on whether the authorities will then allow for a modicum of, gasp, proper feeding as they should? :) 

And since everybody tells me that the behavior of those GWS is miles removed from that of their placid cousins in Lupe - why isn't anybody seeing them hunt those Sea Lions?

Anyway, all very interesting.

Please do consult this page and make a contribution.

Thank you!

False Killer Whales vs Mahi Mahi!

Source - and would those be Cookiecutter Shark bites?

Wow.
Source - enjoy!

Kayaker and Orca!

Watch in HD - beautiful footage!

The encounter, hmmm.

Personally I'm torn between finding it endearing or just plain crazy stupid as the baby Orca appears to be just a tad too interested in nibbling at those feet, and a big bull is obviously hanging nearby?

Anyway, who knows - story here.

Enjoy!

Brinkley - Interview!

Nice!

And thank you for the recommendation, much appreciated! :)

Look Who's planting Mangroves!

Source.

And if Ben can do it, so can you!

All you need to do is to get in contact with Projects Abroad or the Uprising Beach Resort, and they will show you how to offset the carbon footprint you've incurred when coming to Fiji.

But if you're diving with us, worry not - we're already doing it for you!

Vinaka Ratu Peni!

Surrounded by Bull Sharks!

This is nice - thank you Martin!

And talking about Topsail.

She's been a regular visitor ever since that first sighting in 2007, is as feisty as ever and has developed into one of our most eager hand feeders. With so many Shark competing for those Tuna heads, success depends on a combination of rank which in our Bull Sharks appears to be determined by size, thus favoring the older females; boldness which generally favors the males and selected particularly feisty small females; and finally, timing and skill which favors the best learners.

Being still quite small, Topsail excels in the latter categories and usually manages to bag a few heads - but beware of her temper when she does not!

And now she's got a little sister, see at top.

We always try to choose names that help us with the ID, and have thus decided to call her Sail, the more as she already appears to be as feisty as Topsail was back then.

Welcome aboard little girl!