Terrifying Moment?

Source.

Really?

What a load of horse manure!

It is about this encounter (and incidentally, it is 100% a GWS), and the Shark could not have been more peaceful, much as per Nina's original description here.

Shame on you Daily Mail!
 

GWS in Indonesia!

Awesome - and thank you Serena for the heads-up!

This happened today in Nusa Penida.

I hear it was in 22m and that there was a  13 degree thermocline - but who knows whether that is relevant.
But the cold water sure brings in the Mola Molas, see at top.

Anyway - enjoy!

Indonesia - good News!

You really got to read this.

Indeed, who would have thought.

I've dived in Indonesia since '87 and have seen many places regress from stellar to average to desolate as the Chinese cyanide fishermen selectively extirpated the big Groupers and Napoleon Wrasses and thousands upon thousands of poor small scale fishermen did bomb and strip mine the reefs for protein. 

By 2002 good reef diving could only be found in a select few protected places like Wakatobi and Komodo, and the general outlook was grim - so it's really fantastic to hear that things are looking up!

So here's to those committed people that have made a difference.

Thank you!

Indonesia - Manta Ray Bust!

Wow.

This (and here) is really excellent new!

Should this become an ongoing commitment rather than a spectacular one off, then it would really mean that the rampant poaching and the illegal wildlife trade in Indonesia could be finally curbed.

And I really like the strategy of targeting the traders.

It is they that encourage the fishing and poaching, and they are far fewer than the fishermen and thus easier to keep in check.

Well done!

Kaimana - new Whale Shark Hotspot?

Watch.

Very much like in Cenderawasih Bay, isn't it.

For those of you who may be worried that this will result in yet another incidence of eco-terrorism, worry not: a team of researchers and conservationists are looking into the issue and have already developed a code of conduct.

Like in the case of Oslob, I'm all for it.

Story here.

Shark Slaughter in Indonesia!

Source - read it!

Watch.

Indonesia has the world's largest Shark fishery.

Details here and here. Although there has been some fantastic progress (and here!), progress is excruciatingly slow, enforcement extremely difficult - and there are some totally unexpected consequences.

This is the real world - not one of those lofty utopias.

Welcome to the developing world.

Indonesia - Manta Ray Sanctuary!

Source.

Huge belated congratulations!

Watch this.

I'm sure that many have contributed.

But for me, this is once again the very personal success of the tireless efforts of the indefatigable DaMary and Shawn, and their Manta Ray of Hope project.

Details here.

Bravo - I'm fucking proud of 'ya!

Empty Seas!

Got no time for writing lengthy posts right now.
Thankfully, there's plenty of other good Sharky stuff out there.

Case in point, this post by CJA Bradshaw.
Cory is one of the foremost thinkers in Conservation, and a brilliant blogger to boot. Please do take the time to explore the links, and the links contained therein. It's the disheartening saga of how Indonesia is annihilating its Elasmobranchs - and having personally witnessed the shocking decline I may add: all other Fishes as well, small and big alike!
This has led to the rise of poaching along Australia's Northern coast and with South-East Asian fisheries in general not being far behind, these developments are the likely driver of the rise of Shark fishing in the Pacific, Latin America and possibly even Africa.

Indeed: holy f&%k!