Tag Archives | sharks

Shark Tag: A Game Of Survival

April 23, 2013

(OCEANS) Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water, it is. In truth, you should have never felt the need to get out of the water in the first place. The shark community has been forever plagued with misconceptions—most of which derive from the fact that little is actually known about them. Astonishingly, 250,000 sharks die daily at the hand of poachers. However, thanks to Dr. Neil Hammerschlag and a group of scientists, this shocking statistic could change. Hammerschlag has developed a shark tag that runs off solar power and has the ability to last for decades, which will help researchers observe sharks at a distance, and leave the animals untouched for the majority of their lives. Researchers hope to learn about sharks’ migratory patterns and nursing environments, with the ultimate goal of learning how to protect these impressive animals. Read below to take a look at Brain Lam’s remarkable first hand account of this research expedition. — Global Animal

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Turf Wars: Sharks Vs. Surfers

April 4, 2013

(OCEANS) According to the International Shark Attack File, between 1989 and 2010, there have been 14 shark attacks on surfers around Réunion, a French island east of Madagascar. Eight of the 14 attacks ended in fatalities. Recently, the island has experienced a severe spike in attacks with 10 occurring within the past two years, and three of which resulting in casualties. This large increase in such a short period of time sparked an investigation which concluded that the area was prime bull-shark habitat, however, not for the natural reasons most would suspect. The conditions have been made more hostile by humans, and the sharks have evolved and adapted to their new environment. In response to these attacks, the mayor of St. Lieu promised a shark cull. Animal-rights groups were outraged that the mayor would make such a drastic decision just to appease surfers. The ocean is a shark’s home. Why would anyone ruthlessly murder a living being in their own home? Check out the article below for more on this controversial turf war between sharks and surfers. — Global Animal

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Kmart Not So Smart: Shark Dies Filming Commercial

March 20, 2013

(ANIMAL WELFARE) Despite their tough exterior, sharks are extremely delicate creatures. Changing a shark’s environment can be very stressful for the aquatic animal and can have dire consequences. Earlier in the month, a white-tipped shark used to film a Kmart commercial died—immediately triggering an investigation by the American Humane Association (AHA), the organization responsible for monitoring how animals are used in film and television. The shark had been transported from New York to Los Angeles and was transferred to a backyard pool for the shoot. Read more about this tragic case and the responses to this shark’s untimely death. — Global Animal

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Sharks Swarm Florida Beaches

March 9, 2013

(OCEANS) FLORIDA — Tens of thousands of sharks have recently been spotted along the Florida coastline. Beaches around the area have been closed while the sharks migrate north. This annual shark migration is taking place a little earlier than usual this year, and marine biologists may know why. Read on to learn more about this massive shark swarm. — Global Animal

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Shark Fin Shops Try To Hide Their Trade

January 8, 2013

(ANIMAL NEWS) Shark fin traders have taken to the rooftops of Hong Kong to sun dry their product in an effort to avoid the opinions of the uneasy street public below, according to new photos taken by environmental campaigner Gary Stokes. But is the public scrutiny of tourists and locals the real reason these traders have made the move from the street to the roof? Despite the disbelief of the president of the Hong Kong Sharks Fin Trade Merchants Association, Stokes believes this to be true, as Hong Kong citizens have shown a decrease in their approval of this delicacy. Each year, around 75 million sharks are killed solely for their fins. Read more about this inhumane act and give us your opinion on why these traders have chosen to retreat to the rooftops in the comment section below. — Global Animal

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Costa Rica Bans Shark Finning For Good

October 12, 2012

(SHARK FIN) COSTA RICA – On Wednesday, President Laura Chinchilla signed a presidential decree banning the practice of shark finning, in which the fins are sliced off live sharks who are then tossed back into the ocean to die. The executive order also bans the importation and transportation of shark fins to and from Costa Rica. Under existing legislation shark finning itself had been banned in Costa Rica, but under a new decree loopholes allowing the transport and import of shark fins have been closed, fully banning the shark fin trade. Read on for more on this victory. — Global Animal

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Shark Saves Man’s Life

September 18, 2012

(SHARKS) As it turns out, dogs aren’t the only ones saving human lives. A policeman was brought to safety by a shark last week after having drifted in the Pacific Ocean for a near record-breaking 106 days. With countless horror films like the legendary Jaws circulating, sharks have a reputation for being aggressive, man-eating creatures. In this real-life instance, though, this shark acts as an unlikely lifesaver. — Global Animal

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Robot Rides Waves to Unveil Ocean Mysteries

August 21, 2012

(ANIMAL STUDY) CALIFORNIA — Shark studies won’t die out with this year’s Shark Week, as Stanford University has released a surfing robot which will follow sharks and other sea creatures along the California coast. Though the machine is planning to collect a ton of information, it is not limited to Stanford scientists. In fact, a cellphone app called “Shark Net” allows anyone with an iPhone or iPad to track the sea animals as well. Individuals hundreds of miles inland can connect with the ocean and the wonderful inhabitants within it. Read on for more details about the app and how its impending knowledge could help sealife in the near future. — Global Animal

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