Hammerhead page by Kristen Campbell - click 4 detailThursday, August 04, 2011
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
New Pics of El Monstruo!
El Monstruo, possibly from Malpelo.Malpelo, Cocos, Lebanon, Roatan - and now the Canary Islands!
The Smalltoth Sand Tiger, aka El Monstruo is one of my favorite Sharks, this because it looks so positively Badass but also because despite of my best efforts, i.e. some very stupid very deep dives where it supposedly lives, it has always managed to elude me. Plus, its geographical range intrigues me as it pops up, and this regularly, in the most diverse locations, possibly ascending to SCUBA depths because of some mating or pupping event.
Case in point, they appear to be regular Summer visitors of El Hierro in the Canaries.
Photographer Francis Pérez has published a set of stellar pictures, of which the two below also depict a retinue of Pseudocaranx, this very much like our Bulls during the cooler months when a possibly undescribed species of Pseudocaranx, a Genus that was so far believed to be antitropical, appears to ascend from deeper depth and associate with the larger Sharks and Queensland Groupers.
And here is Francis' video - enjoy!
The Smalltoth Sand Tiger, aka El Monstruo is one of my favorite Sharks, this because it looks so positively Badass but also because despite of my best efforts, i.e. some very stupid very deep dives where it supposedly lives, it has always managed to elude me. Plus, its geographical range intrigues me as it pops up, and this regularly, in the most diverse locations, possibly ascending to SCUBA depths because of some mating or pupping event.
Case in point, they appear to be regular Summer visitors of El Hierro in the Canaries.
Photographer Francis Pérez has published a set of stellar pictures, of which the two below also depict a retinue of Pseudocaranx, this very much like our Bulls during the cooler months when a possibly undescribed species of Pseudocaranx, a Genus that was so far believed to be antitropical, appears to ascend from deeper depth and associate with the larger Sharks and Queensland Groupers.
And here is Francis' video - enjoy!Shark Dive videos by Jake!
Adi, by Jake BourgrafNice!
Jake Bourgraf from the last AT College group has posted several videos of the Fiji Shark Dive.
I particularly like this one - and Jake, if you read this, could you please upload it to YouTube so I can post it here? Vinaka!
PS talk about instant feedback - Jake has posted the videos! Thanks buddy! :)
This is from the second dive when the surge forces us to conduct it at 25m, and even I got to sometimes marvel at the number of animals and at Rusi who just sits completely unfazed in the middle of that Shark soup whilst occasionally handing out a morsel to one of his customers.
And for the more adventurous, Jake has also posted this! :)
Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Micronesia - showing the World how to do it!
Priority areas for shark conservation; each area was selected because it contains either the top 5% of species richness or endemism for each of 93 major shark biogeographic units (areas characterized by the presence of a unique set of species as identified by a cluster analysis) - click for detail.Wow!
The juggernaut that is the Pew Environment Group's global shark campaign powers on.
This time, Matt applauds (we know what that means) the 15th Micronesian Chief Executive Summit for having decided to establish the world's first regional mega sanctuary for Sharks. The EEZs of the Federated States of Micronesia and its four member States, The Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands span a whopping two million square miles equaling two-thirds of the land area of the United States - if enforced, this is truly a monumental step forward for the cause!
Once again, I am impressed!
Incidentally, check out the picture at the top.
It is from this recent open source paper (read it!) that identifies the global Shark hotspots as defined by species richness and/or endemism. The map itself shows the priority areas for Shark conservation - and Micronesia is clearly one of them!
But obviously, there remains much to do!
As always, kudos, thank you, well done, bravo!
The juggernaut that is the Pew Environment Group's global shark campaign powers on.
This time, Matt applauds (we know what that means) the 15th Micronesian Chief Executive Summit for having decided to establish the world's first regional mega sanctuary for Sharks. The EEZs of the Federated States of Micronesia and its four member States, The Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands span a whopping two million square miles equaling two-thirds of the land area of the United States - if enforced, this is truly a monumental step forward for the cause!
Once again, I am impressed!
Incidentally, check out the picture at the top.
It is from this recent open source paper (read it!) that identifies the global Shark hotspots as defined by species richness and/or endemism. The map itself shows the priority areas for Shark conservation - and Micronesia is clearly one of them!
But obviously, there remains much to do!
As always, kudos, thank you, well done, bravo!
Monday, August 01, 2011
More excellent Sharky Stories by the Fiji Times!
Adi, by MPO - yes those are links!Today's Fiji Times features a stunning two-page spread on Sharks.
This is a continuation of their stellar advocacy of Shark protection in cooperation with CORAL The Coral Reef Alliance and the Pew Environment Group's global shark campaign.
Thank you Shark Defenders for having re-posted the articles.
How Jaws made the shark a monster in our minds is authored by Lee-Anne Lee of the Fiji Voyaging Society.
She's aboard board the drua Uto Ni Yalo and about to reach San Francisco after an epic voyage of close to 11,00 nautical miles. On board is also Moala Tokota'a of CORAL and it just so happens that our Arthur was one of the crew of the 2010 maiden voyage and that Ratu Manoa is very much involved in the undertaking, hence the connection to Sharks conservation.
The angry fisherman who turned into a shark is of particular interest to us here at BAD.
This is the story of the Fijian Shark God Dakuwaqa as told by Mika Tubanavau, storyteller of the village of Rukua. Rukua on Beqa Island is the home of our most senior staff Rusi, Manasa and Eliki, and of Tumbee, Manasa's son - and according to Beqa lore, a cave behind the village is the very place where Dakuwaqa resides!
I was fascinated by how the legend as told here complements the legend as told in Cakaudrove, with the tiny island of Benau off Taveuni being the obvious common link between the two. To this day, both tribes are engaged in a friendly feud as to who can claim to be the true people of Dakuwaqa.
And then, there is this Letter to the Editor.
I READ with great interest in your newpaper about the efforts of a number of organisations and people to protect the sharks.
Their efforts are great.
Yet, almost on a daily basis, I notice that there are middleman selling fish at the Nubukalou Creek cutting and packing sharks in plastic bags for sale.
I have noticed that they also get in baby shark - up to a metre - and just go on with their business. I think Suva City Council ought to do something.
And I request Mr Manoa Rasigatale to visit them and discourage the shark meat sellers.
JAGDISH LAL
Suva
This touches on the real crux of the problem.
Nubukalou Creek is a notorious site in the middle of Suva where fish vendors hawk the daily catches. Many of the fishing skiffs feature disproportionally powerful engines, a strong indication that they belong to those poachers who regularly raid the qoliqoli, or traditional fishing grounds of offshore islands. The Sharks that are being offered for sale are mostly Reef Sharks like Blacktips and Greys, and this nefarious practice is a direct and largely irreversible threat to our reef habitats and by extension, to the livelihood of entire coastal communities that depend on the ocean for their daily sustenance.
Right now, fishing for Sharks is perfectly legal and there is precious little that either the Suva City Council or even Ratu Manoa can do. This is yet another reason why it is imperative to immediately ban all trade in Sharks and Shark products in Fiji.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Juliet - excellent Job, again!
I must say, I'm increasingly impressed by the rather formidable Juliet Eilperin.
I first noticed her promo video and now comes this article in Foreign Policy.
Like Richard remarks, it is refreshingly factual and devoid of the usual pathos and hype, and this in spite of the difficult topic, the recent rise in reported Shark attacks. This is excellent, well documented and highly erudite journalism for which she needs to be commended.
Required reading - and BTW, what a monumental difference to the usual pathetic explanations by the Sesselfurzer!
Incidentally, I've also just finished reading Demon Fish.
More about it later but for now, only this: the praise is well deserved!
Kudos!
I first noticed her promo video and now comes this article in Foreign Policy.
Like Richard remarks, it is refreshingly factual and devoid of the usual pathos and hype, and this in spite of the difficult topic, the recent rise in reported Shark attacks. This is excellent, well documented and highly erudite journalism for which she needs to be commended.
Required reading - and BTW, what a monumental difference to the usual pathetic explanations by the Sesselfurzer!
Incidentally, I've also just finished reading Demon Fish.
More about it later but for now, only this: the praise is well deserved!
Kudos!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
55 dead Baby Hammerheads?
Shocking picture! But...
Please re-read Rick's post.
Did you notice the part about the moronic comments?
Case in point, yesterday's scoop by the GSCI - copy/paste.
The Global Shark Conservation Initiative
Did you notice the part about the moronic comments?
Case in point, yesterday's scoop by the GSCI - copy/paste.
The Global Shark Conservation Initiative
www.heraldtribune.com
The world-record hammerhead caught by a local fishing guide last month was big for a reason.
- 3 people like this.
Jill Hirschi that guy deserves to be shot!19 hours ago · 2 people
Elisa Plati What a freiken loser!!!!! Give him to me with a hook and fishing line and I will show him how much damage they can do!!! Seriously so much life lost for one mans selfish goal!!! Disgusting!!!
18 hours ago
Rising Sun Wee : "Real Men protect, they do not harm the young for any reason."
17 hours ago · 4 people
Heather Woolley Oh Man,does this once again not show the need for some of the males in our species to dominate,prove,and behave in the most cruel way against Nature and the rest of Humanity.Does the big dog,big dick syndrom apply here?or my weapns bigger than your weapon?I hasten to add there are gentle and kind males out there too,who dont need to pove they are the Hunters of the Cave dwelling days!
17 hours ago
Stephen William THIS fuckin ass clown should be killed!!! When the fuck are people gonna realize what the hell they are doing??? I CANNOT even begin to fathom the mindset of someone like this!!! Like others said, catch and release if you must feel the need to catch animals such as this!!! This asshole must have a small dick to feel the need to slaughter something so amazing as a 40+ year old shark and drag its majestic lifeless corpse back to a dock to show off!!!! Wanna prove yer a "big man" and have balls??? Why not get dropped off some where and go Taliban or terrorist hunting??? Oh thats to dangerous cause they can shoot back???!! Fuckin pussy!!!
15 hours ago
Jason A Creech The knee-jerk, human reaction to this kind of slaughter by those of us sympathetic to ocean-life, and all life for that matter, is usually anger and blame. This anger and blame is ineffectual and misdirected. Through activism and policy change the responsibility lies with us. There are always going to be shortsighted, pitiless idiots. We can wish them dead but wish in one hand and poop in the other and see which one fills up first. Act, vote, sign petitions. Anger is a gift.
14 hours ago · 2 people
Kevin Van der Beeuren What a complete idiot! 'Stop looking at me I didn't do anything wrong... How old is he...' I wanna dive with hammerheads!
14 hours ago
Really?
Did anybody bother to read the article in the link?
Did anybody notice that the article is from 2006? It says it right there - twice!
How utterly embarrassing - and how revealing!
But Jason is of course correct.
It is not about who screeches the stupidest and loudest, it is about effecting change.
Here is what has happened since.
Bucky killed another record pregnant Hammerhead in 2009 and the ensuing debate motivated a few good people among which the Shark Brothers, Bob Heuter and Guy Harvey to embark on reforming game fishing for Sharks. The result: the Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge Tournament Series - where the very same Bucky Dennis is now practicing catch-and-release fishing for Sharks! I still don't like it - but it sure is a big step in the right direction and as always in real conservation, it is a pragmatic compromise and the result of much hard work.
Now, how motivating is it gonna be for Bucky to have his name dragged through the dirt five years after the fact and after he has voluntarily reformed the way he fishes?
And this is not all.
From what I understand, there is now a movement within the IGFA to abolish all-tackle weight records that will always result in pregnant females being targeted and killed. I am optimistic: if the gun toting trophy hunters have managed to outlaw killing pregnant females, so can the game fishermen who are increasingly advocating sustainable practices.
Plus, more good people have embarked on the arduous path of having Hammerheads protected in Florida - once again sans moronic screeching but with a lot of hard and persistent work on the ground. Here's the latest progress report with pointers about how to get involved - politely!
And the screeching activists?
I'd be lying if I said that I'm in any way surprised, or that I expect any improvements going forward. It is what it is and whilst those folks will continue to propagate their stupidities, others will thankfully continue working hard and hopefully (fingers crossed!) avoid being lumped in with the whacks, FINtastic and not.
And so it goes...
Did anybody bother to read the article in the link?
Did anybody notice that the article is from 2006? It says it right there - twice!
How utterly embarrassing - and how revealing!
But Jason is of course correct.
It is not about who screeches the stupidest and loudest, it is about effecting change.
Here is what has happened since.
Bucky killed another record pregnant Hammerhead in 2009 and the ensuing debate motivated a few good people among which the Shark Brothers, Bob Heuter and Guy Harvey to embark on reforming game fishing for Sharks. The result: the Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge Tournament Series - where the very same Bucky Dennis is now practicing catch-and-release fishing for Sharks! I still don't like it - but it sure is a big step in the right direction and as always in real conservation, it is a pragmatic compromise and the result of much hard work.
Now, how motivating is it gonna be for Bucky to have his name dragged through the dirt five years after the fact and after he has voluntarily reformed the way he fishes?
And this is not all.
From what I understand, there is now a movement within the IGFA to abolish all-tackle weight records that will always result in pregnant females being targeted and killed. I am optimistic: if the gun toting trophy hunters have managed to outlaw killing pregnant females, so can the game fishermen who are increasingly advocating sustainable practices.
Plus, more good people have embarked on the arduous path of having Hammerheads protected in Florida - once again sans moronic screeching but with a lot of hard and persistent work on the ground. Here's the latest progress report with pointers about how to get involved - politely!
And the screeching activists?
I'd be lying if I said that I'm in any way surprised, or that I expect any improvements going forward. It is what it is and whilst those folks will continue to propagate their stupidities, others will thankfully continue working hard and hopefully (fingers crossed!) avoid being lumped in with the whacks, FINtastic and not.
And so it goes...
Friday, July 29, 2011
Bravo Bravo Bravo!
Image © 2011, John Bruno A total of 379 sharks were onboard the Fer Mary I.
There were 303 bigeye thresher sharks (Alopias superciliosus, IUCN status: vulnerable), 42 silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis, IUCN status: near threatened), 24 blue sharks (Prionace glauca, IUCN status: near threatened), 5 smooth hammerhead sharks (Sphyma zygaena, IUNC status: vulnerable), 2 tiger sharks (Galeocerdo culvier, IUCN status: near threatened), 1 Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis, IUCN status: near threatened), 1 short fin mako shark (Isurus oxyrhinchus, IUCN status: vulnerable), and 1 unidentified shark (missing head, tail, fins and part of body).
You and I get that fishing a low fecundity, slow growth, slow to reproductive maturity, supply limited species is a formula for ecological and economic ruin.
What will fill the revenue void for fishers if all shark finning was banned globally tomorrow? What sustainable fisheries trainings are being offered? And if no sustainable fishing alternatives are available, what alternative livelihoods are nations prepared to present? However stomach-churning the reality, waste, and short-sightedness of shark finning may be, I refuse to believe that all fishers engaged in the process are mindless savages bent on pursuing personal fortune. Perhaps some of them know what they are engaged in is an utterly unsustainable enterprise. but again, what does their option and opportunity landscape look like?
This post is as good as it gets.
Please read it and above all, please engage in some reflection.
I'm proud to know you Rick MacPherson!
Scientists measure and sample illegally harvested sharks as they are returned to the sea from John Bruno on Vimeo.
But what are the options?What will fill the revenue void for fishers if all shark finning was banned globally tomorrow? What sustainable fisheries trainings are being offered? And if no sustainable fishing alternatives are available, what alternative livelihoods are nations prepared to present? However stomach-churning the reality, waste, and short-sightedness of shark finning may be, I refuse to believe that all fishers engaged in the process are mindless savages bent on pursuing personal fortune. Perhaps some of them know what they are engaged in is an utterly unsustainable enterprise. but again, what does their option and opportunity landscape look like?
This post is as good as it gets.
Please read it and above all, please engage in some reflection.
I'm proud to know you Rick MacPherson!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Not BRAT after all!
Mea culpa!
I had another look at the video and did grab a few more screen shots: turns out that that Tiger was not BRAT but our old nemesis Adi, aka Princess!
Adi goes back all the way to 2005 when she turned up on a dive with Michael.
Check out his pic on the website, and Andrew's description: she was tiny but already with a huge attitude - and lemme tell you, the latter has only gotten worse! Case in point, Klaus' rather epic dive a few years ago where he managed to somehow snap the picture on top whilst fending off several attempts to chew on his strobes, and my screen shot for comparison.
Ozzie Sam agrees.
He diplomatically writes, this tiger is smaller than BRAT and I agree that she is almost over friendly and yes, after she thankfully took it onto herself to bump the housing a grand total of 8 times, camera running, on that dive alone, I would have to agree that she definitely is!
Here's one of Sam's usual stellar portraits, again with my screen shot for comparison - check out the pattern in the corner of the mouth.
And the pic on Juerg's blog?
Unequivocally the true BRAT, equally by Klaus - compare with the pictures here!
Thanks Sam, as always your assistance is greatly appreciated!
Adi goes back all the way to 2005 when she turned up on a dive with Michael.
Check out his pic on the website, and Andrew's description: she was tiny but already with a huge attitude - and lemme tell you, the latter has only gotten worse! Case in point, Klaus' rather epic dive a few years ago where he managed to somehow snap the picture on top whilst fending off several attempts to chew on his strobes, and my screen shot for comparison.
Ozzie Sam agrees.He diplomatically writes, this tiger is smaller than BRAT and I agree that she is almost over friendly and yes, after she thankfully took it onto herself to bump the housing a grand total of 8 times, camera running, on that dive alone, I would have to agree that she definitely is!
Here's one of Sam's usual stellar portraits, again with my screen shot for comparison - check out the pattern in the corner of the mouth.
And the pic on Juerg's blog?Unequivocally the true BRAT, equally by Klaus - compare with the pictures here!
Thanks Sam, as always your assistance is greatly appreciated!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Unmasked!
Cute video and cute story!
And the man in the Shark suit?
Rumor has it that he's none other than the indefatigable but, and I cite: deplorable, self-centered, self-absorbed, egotistical, hate mongering, ignorant, insecure, piece of crap with very limited brain power and little to no social skills, Mr 2011 in 2011 himself!
How cool is that - and don't forget, you heard it here first!
Anyway, enjoy!
And the man in the Shark suit?
Rumor has it that he's none other than the indefatigable but, and I cite: deplorable, self-centered, self-absorbed, egotistical, hate mongering, ignorant, insecure, piece of crap with very limited brain power and little to no social skills, Mr 2011 in 2011 himself!
How cool is that - and don't forget, you heard it here first!
Anyway, enjoy!
Natural Predation - Wow!
Grey Reefs above, aggregating Groupers below - great pics by Paul McKenzie!
Check this out.
Is this awesome, or what?
These are spawning Camouflage Groupers, Epinephelus polyphekadion and you can see how the Grey Reefs attack as soon as the Groupers start ascending in the water column, with one successful predation on 0:55. I found the video on MCSI's Facebook page and having met those very Sharks who have bitten two of my friends (=intrepid Gallic feeders with no gloves) on different occasions, I must say that Michael Domeier who has documented the event is lucky to have escaped unscathed in the process!
The site?
Ah aint gonna tell you, tho Shark aficionados may have divined it from the initial scenes - and no, don't comment! Although this species is very often ciguatoxic (especially in that place!) and may thus escape persecution, spawning aggregations are often targeted by fishermen with catastrophic consequences for stocks.
Case in point: the depleted Nassau Groupers where however the Caymanian authorities appear to be doing a great job:
And then, there's us divers.
Here's what I believe is an equitable look at the pros and cons of dive tourism interfering with such iconic events, this being the famous mating aggregation of Cubera and Dog Snappers, and of the Whale Sharks feeding on their eggs at Gladden Spit.
Very much reminds me of Hanifaru where the Mantas are at risk of literally being loved to death!
Remember the Anthropogenic Allee Effect?
More in an upcoming post!
Is this awesome, or what?
These are spawning Camouflage Groupers, Epinephelus polyphekadion and you can see how the Grey Reefs attack as soon as the Groupers start ascending in the water column, with one successful predation on 0:55. I found the video on MCSI's Facebook page and having met those very Sharks who have bitten two of my friends (=intrepid Gallic feeders with no gloves) on different occasions, I must say that Michael Domeier who has documented the event is lucky to have escaped unscathed in the process!
The site?
Ah aint gonna tell you, tho Shark aficionados may have divined it from the initial scenes - and no, don't comment! Although this species is very often ciguatoxic (especially in that place!) and may thus escape persecution, spawning aggregations are often targeted by fishermen with catastrophic consequences for stocks.
Case in point: the depleted Nassau Groupers where however the Caymanian authorities appear to be doing a great job:
And then, there's us divers.
Here's what I believe is an equitable look at the pros and cons of dive tourism interfering with such iconic events, this being the famous mating aggregation of Cubera and Dog Snappers, and of the Whale Sharks feeding on their eggs at Gladden Spit.
Very much reminds me of Hanifaru where the Mantas are at risk of literally being loved to death!
Remember the Anthropogenic Allee Effect?
More in an upcoming post!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
NSW Grey Nurse Sharks: Bravo PADI!
I must say, I'm increasingly impressed by PADI Asia Pacific.
The team of Mike Holme has been nothing short of stellar whenever we have contacted them for assistance and advice, and now I learn that Project AWARE has thrown its weight behind the campaign aimed at restoring adequate protection for New South Wales' highly vulnerable stocks of GNS after the latest shameful fiasco.
Please read this appeal and please, do act now.
This is industry leadership and I am particularly happy to find an excellent letter that contains all the recommendations I've posted here. This is terribly urgent and important, the more as all the science shows that for all practical purposes, depleted Shark stocks have no real chance of rebounding once they get wiped out as that would take decades if not centuries, i.e. way beyond any reasonable time frame - and I trust that I don't need to remind you of the consequences for the marine environment including the future of those ignorant fishermen!
The GNS stocks are literally on the brink and we simply cannot afford to get this wrong.
The only way we can avert this ecological catastrophe is to show those inept politicians and their rabid cronies from the Fishers and Shooters party that the public wants nothing to do with their appalling disregard of the health of the environment.
Please, do write a letter now.
Please send a copy to David at david.roe@projectaware.org.au and please, do mobilize your friends. Bloggers, please do re-post.
Submission close on Friday, August 26.
Once again, kudos to PADI.
PS Thank you Richard, much appreciated!
The team of Mike Holme has been nothing short of stellar whenever we have contacted them for assistance and advice, and now I learn that Project AWARE has thrown its weight behind the campaign aimed at restoring adequate protection for New South Wales' highly vulnerable stocks of GNS after the latest shameful fiasco.
Please read this appeal and please, do act now.
This is industry leadership and I am particularly happy to find an excellent letter that contains all the recommendations I've posted here. This is terribly urgent and important, the more as all the science shows that for all practical purposes, depleted Shark stocks have no real chance of rebounding once they get wiped out as that would take decades if not centuries, i.e. way beyond any reasonable time frame - and I trust that I don't need to remind you of the consequences for the marine environment including the future of those ignorant fishermen!
The GNS stocks are literally on the brink and we simply cannot afford to get this wrong.
The only way we can avert this ecological catastrophe is to show those inept politicians and their rabid cronies from the Fishers and Shooters party that the public wants nothing to do with their appalling disregard of the health of the environment.
Please, do write a letter now.
Please send a copy to David at david.roe@projectaware.org.au and please, do mobilize your friends. Bloggers, please do re-post.
Submission close on Friday, August 26.
Once again, kudos to PADI.
PS Thank you Richard, much appreciated!
Monday, July 25, 2011
More Outreach by Ratu Manoa!
Beqa Bulls - great pic by Daniela!In today's Fiji Times.
SHARKMAN Manoa Rasigatale hopes the sanctuary given to sharks by the people of Cakaudrove will reward them in tourism dollars.
He said live sharks were worth more than sharks dead.
"I thank the Turaga na Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, for his assurance that Cakaudrove will support the protection of sharks. He has said that the island of Benau will be a sanctuary for sharks," said Mr Rasigatale, who leads the campaign for shark conservation.
The sharkman, working with Pew Environment Group and the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), is pushing for legislation to turn Fiji's waters into a shark haven.
The Ministry of Fisheries is drafting a proposal for Cabinet to approve. Mr Rasigatale said Cakaudrove, and the rest of Fiji, should learn from countries that have given sharks sanctuaries.
He said the Bahamas earned $US78million ($F137.9m) annually from shark-related tourism activities.
The confederacies of Kubuna, Burebasaga and Tovata are supporting the campaign.
SHARKMAN Manoa Rasigatale hopes the sanctuary given to sharks by the people of Cakaudrove will reward them in tourism dollars.
He said live sharks were worth more than sharks dead.
"I thank the Turaga na Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, for his assurance that Cakaudrove will support the protection of sharks. He has said that the island of Benau will be a sanctuary for sharks," said Mr Rasigatale, who leads the campaign for shark conservation.
The sharkman, working with Pew Environment Group and the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), is pushing for legislation to turn Fiji's waters into a shark haven.
The Ministry of Fisheries is drafting a proposal for Cabinet to approve. Mr Rasigatale said Cakaudrove, and the rest of Fiji, should learn from countries that have given sharks sanctuaries.
He said the Bahamas earned $US78million ($F137.9m) annually from shark-related tourism activities.
The confederacies of Kubuna, Burebasaga and Tovata are supporting the campaign.
Little Swiss Heart?
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Kirsty and BRAT!
BRAT - always a handful! Click for detail!Check out this post by Kirsty!
Broadreach are in country with both one High School and one College group and it is only fitting that the Tiger she mentions is BRAT, an acronym for BoadReach Academic Treks! She was named in 2008 by one of the High School groups (the picture on the website is by one of them) and has been visiting regularly ever since that day in May.
And what about the shy-bold continuum?
If the Blacktips are shy and the Silvertips are bold, BRAT is way off the scale, coming in from all directions and being your quintessential obnoxious beggar Shark. She will neither deign to pick tuna heads from the bottom but insist that she be given them by hand, nor does she understand that on our dive, there is only one single stationary feeder acting as the focal point. Like Patric observed in TB, this is alas the direct consequence of different dive ops employing different protocols when interacting with the same animals.
Nothing we can't handle the more as she is as mellow as it gets - but it sure demands everybody's fullest attention! :)
Anyway, great dive as witnessed by the perma-smiles on the kids and on the staff!
Life is good!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
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