Here's a fun fact: Cookie cutter sharks glow in the dark. That's right. They use photophores on their ventral surface to attract prey. Once a larger fish swims up to investigate, the cookie shark uses its lips and upper teeth to suction itself on to the fish. It then spins its body in a tight circle leaving a cookie-shaped hole in the flesh. How great is that? But don't worry, these sharks are so small that they pose little threat to humans.


Mouth of the Cookie cutter shark. Photo courtesy of the FLMNH


Cookie cutter wound. Photo courtesy of FLMNH

Cookie cutter

Pondicherry Shark (Carcharhinus hemiodon)

                    Alright let’s kick off our “Shark Week Endangered Species list.” This first shark is extremely rare and has not been seen in the wild since 1979. As a matter of fact, the only way that this species is known at all is due in large part to 20 specimens that are housed in museums, none of which were caught after 1900. It is not actually known whether this shark still exists in the wild, it may be extinct but more information is needed. It is called the Pondicherry Shark.

                The Pondicherry Shark is said to be Indo-West Pacific, inhabiting the waters near China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, and Pakistan. It is said to stay inshore on continental and insular shelves. Due to the fact that this species is so rare, little is known about its biology or lifespan. What is known is that the population of Pondicherry Sharks is said to have been severely depleted due to unregulated artisanal and commercial fisheries, something that, coincidentally enough, is said for almost every Critically Endangered species of shark on the IUCN Red List. 

                The most important thing that you can do to help with the plight of these endangered animals is make yourself aware. Get to know these animals and the threats they’re facing and spread the word. Education is key.  

Above is the accepted rendition of the Pondicherry shark by IUCN. Photo courtesy of Encyclopedia of Life

Shark Week

    While I am completely disgusted with Discovery Channel and what they've decided to turn Shark Week into this year, I will be posting daily in honor of what Shark Week is supposed to be about; the shark's plight and conservation needs. Each day I will be writing about a different species of shark that is either endangered or critically endangered and ways you can help. This week is supposed to raise the awareness of the masses and make them want to get up and help the cause. If Discovery Channel won't do that, then I will.

Thanks guys,
Heather

The New Face of Shark Conservation

     Meet Ocean Ramsey; a 27-year-old professional scuba instructor, surfer, swimmer and free-diver. What makes her so spectacular, you ask? She uses her skills to free-dive with Great White sharks in open water. 

     On her website www.waterinspired.com, Ocean explains that while coming face to face with these large sharks is thrilling, her diving is for a different purpose—their conservation. She hopes to prove that Great Whites, as well as other shark species, are not the mindless killing machines that the media and movies make them out to be. They are extremely intelligent and cautious animals that need to be protected. 

     In the video below, you’ll see Ocean hitching a ride on a very large Great White shark. Take a moment and notice the shark’s behavior.  She’s not thrashing around or being aggressive. Quite the contrary, she is calm and graceful taking little notice to the human swimming along with her. This is how sharks should be seen, as something beautiful and worth saving.

 

CITES 2013

As of this morning's vote, all three species of Hammerhead,  the Oceanic Whitetip, the Porbeagle and both species of manta ray have been accepted to Appendix 2. China, Japan and some smaller countries voted against the proposal. The decision could still be overturned later in the week, but as of right now we have protection for these remarkable creatures! Stay tuned for updates.

*UPDATE*

At final plenary all shark, ray, and sawfish proposals were accepted.  This is fantastic news! We can now begin to repair the damage caused to these species by humans and give them the protection they so desperately need. It is a fresh start for all involved.

Stay tuned for new articles about the CITES conference!

I apologize for the lack of articles this month. It's been a very hectic time. Stay tuned though, because a new article will be posted as soon as possible. 

Thanks for your patience,
Heather