Murder Down Under

          I came across a story tonight that is absolutely shocking to me, and instead of continuing our Endangered Species list I'm going to share this story with you. 

         Off the coast of Australia, in the HMAS Adelaide marine reserve, a diver found a 6 ft Mako shark. Unfortunately for both parties, this particular Mako was mutilated and left hanging upside down by its tail tied to a buoy. Not only had the shark been tied up, but it also appeared to have been stabbed several times in the chest. As the area is a protected marine reserve, no fishermen (commercial or otherwise) are allowed inside. But according to Robbert Westerdyk, the diver who found the shark, "It can only have been done by fishermen who should not have been anywhere near the site.." 

         Mr. Westerdyk took photos of the gruesome site and then cut the shark loose. The killing is being investigated by the New South Wales department of fisheries. Below are the photos Mr. Westerdyk shot, and I warn you they are disturbing.


Robbert Westerdyk

         Mako sharks, both shortfin and longfin, are listed as Vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List. The fact that someone slaughtered this animal on purpose and then posed it is absolutely barbaric. No living creature, shark or otherwise, deserves to have their life taken and especially not like this. May the person who did this be found and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

     Here's something you don't see everyday; the Tasseled Wobbegong. This shark is a master of disguise. The Wobbegong has a squashed body shape and a beautiful design that allows it to blend in with its surroundings. It also has fringed skin flaps on its lips that closely resemble seaweed. The Wobbegong lies motionless on the ledges of the reef and quickly snaps up at unsuspecting fish as they swim by.


Photo courtesy of Arkive

Daggernose Shark (Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus)

               For Tuesday’s addition of our “Shark Week Endangered Species List” let’s take a look at the Daggernose shark. This animal is said to congregate in the warm coastal waters off South America, namely Brazil, Venezuela, and Trinidad. The Daggernose, like many other species of shark, is slow to mature and has few pups. Female sharks mature at around 6-7 years and can be pregnant for up to 12 months. Because they do not breed annually, the risk for severe population depletion is great.

                Like many endangered sharks, the Daggernose’ biggest threat is artisanal fisheries and the use of gillnets. These sharks tend to get caught in floating gillnets that are targeting mackerel and King Weakfish. Due to their slow reproduction rate, such high fishing pressure spells disaster for the population and indicates a high risk for extinction. The IUCN recommends the monitoring of fishing vessels that use gillnets in the area, and the release of live sharks that are captured. The website also suggests that the Daggernose be added to the Brazilian National list of Endangered Species. Restrictions being placed on the number of sharks that can be caught and enforcement of these rules would help aid in the conservation of this species. 

Photo courtesy of Encyclopedia of Life

     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.