The Daily Star (a UK "news" source) has really outdone itself with its story, Killer on a Beach, a report about a thresher shark washing ashore at Hayle Beach in Cornwall. The story is so over-the-top with ridiculous sensationalism that it would be funny, if it weren’t so pathetic. The "Killer on a Beach," title almost seems tame compared to the secondary title, "A SHARK that can decapitate a human with the lash of its tail has been found on a British beach." While there is an unconfirmed anecdotal account of a fisherman being decapitated by a breaching thresher, the source of this story probably also knew a kid in elementary school who ate Pop Rocks, while drinking Coke, and exploded. I suppose it’s possible to be decapitated by the tail of a thresher. If somebody took the time and effort they could probably decapitate a human with that plastic knife that comes with the Play-Doh Fun Factory (perhaps, Hasbro should add that as a warning). The Daily Star goes on to describe the thresher’s tail (caudal fin) as "razor-sharp." I’d invite the Daily Star Staff reporter to try to shave with the tail of a thresher. The article also notes that the thresher is a "close relative" of the great white shark, and it even goes so far as to include a photo of a great white shark merely swimming along, with the caption of "Lethal shark on the rampage."

Congratulations, The Daily Star, you are truly special!

Note: It is generally accepted that the common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus) is not considered to be aggressive toward or dangerous to humans, although divers are cautioned to treat thresher sharks with respect (this is a general rule with all aquatic life). Injuries (non-decapitating ones) to divers have been documented as a result of being struck by the thresher’s whip-like tail, which can occur if the shark is provoked.

According to the Discovery News article, Prehistoric Shark Nursery Spawned Giants, paleontologists have discovered what is believed to be a breeding ground for the prehistoric shark known as C. megalodon (you can argue amongst yourselves about whether it is Carcharodon megalodon or Charcharocles megalodon). According to the article, researchers have found a "stash" of C. megalodon teeth measuring between 0.5 inches and 3 inches (1.3-7.6cm). Adult teeth from the species can measure up to 6 inches (15cm). Researcher, Catalina Pimiento (Univ. of Fla.), has determined the teeth to belong almost exclusively to juveniles of the species, based on comparisons with other fossilized adult teeth. The find in Panama is only the second of its kind to be discovered. Another cache of juvenile C. megalodon teeth was discovered in South Carolina, although in the case of that site adult teeth as well as whale skulls were also discovered. The Panama site appears to be the first site discovered exclusively with juvenile shark teeth, indicating that the area might have served as a "shark nursery," a habitat that would have enabled juvenile sharks to reach maturity with minimized predatory threats. According to Pimiento…

"These areas are and have been essential habitats for sharks’ survival, and without them the animals would not be able to succeed. Now they are typically coastal zones where humans overfish and construct. So what this study is telling us is that these areas have been used by sharks for millions of years, and we need to preserve them so sharks can successfully reproduce and survive."

According to the National Geographic article, "Sea Monster" Bones Reveal Ancient Shark Feeding Frenzy, recent analysis of the fossilized bones of a plesisaur indicated the presences of over 80 sharks teeth embedded in the bones. The teeth were identified as belonging to the extinct species Cretalamna appendiculata, which was believed to have reached 3m in length. The plesiosaur was considerably larger at approximately 7m in length.

Paleontologist, Kenshu Shimada, believes that the plesiosaur was likely dead on near death when the shark bites occurred, as he believes that the sharks would have been no match for a healthy plesiosaur. While all of the teeth found embedded in the bones are believed to have come from the same species, the varying size and shape of the teeth indicate that sharks of various ages were involved in the "attack". Shimada estimated that at least seven different sharks of varying ages attacked the plesiosaur. For more information, check out the entire articles at National Geographic.

BBC News is reporting that Florence, a 6′ (1.8m) nurse shark, is successfully recovering from what is believed to be the first out of water surgical procedure of its kind.

Florence, who appeared ill at her previous home at Weymouth Sea Life Park (UK) was found to have a rusty fishhook embedded in her. After being anesthetized and removed from her tank, surgery was performed while seawater was continuously pumped through her gills. During her recovery, she was treated with antibiotics and fed via a tube. Ten days after the surgery, Florence was able to eat on her own and has since fully-recovered. Florence went on display at her new home, National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham (UK), yesterday.

Check BBC News for some video footage of the procedure.

National Geographic recently posted a new video on their YouTube channel set to ABC4Explore‘s The Great White Shark Song.

Unlike the original video (WARNING: Explicit lyrics), which predominantly featured footage from South Africa, the new video features a lot of footage from what appears to be Isla de Guadalupe (I see a few familiar sharks in the video). ABC4 (Andy Brandy Casagrande IV) is seen throughout the video strumming his guitar in open water with multiple white sharks, which I’m sure will make a lot of dive operators cringe. I’m not sure who he was diving with out there, but needless to say, “Don’t try this at home, kids.” (and by “home” I mean, Isla de Guadalupe). The new video also features toned down lyrics (no “F bombs” in this version).

According to an article at Wired.com, scientists have identified a new species of ghostshark, which is actually classified in the chimera family. The newly identified species, Hydrolagus melanophasma, was described by Doug Long (California Academy of Sciences) as, “a big weird looking freaky thing.” The species also has an organ extending from its forehead called a tentaculum. The tentaculum was described as a “club with spike,” which some presume is used in the mating process. While the species was recently identified, it was "discovered" long before in the sense that specimens of the species existed at the Scripps Oceanographic Institute and simply had not been identified. To read the entire article and see a photo of Hydrolagus melanophasma, head on over to Wired.com

A state medical examiner from North Carolina is seeking the opinion of George Burgess in the death of Richard Sneed. Sneed was reported missing on September 13 after he did not return from a late night swim. His body was found on the shore of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, according to NBC-2. The autopsy report listed shark attack as the cause of death for Sneed. However, News Channel WTKR, the medical examiner has requested Burgess’ opinion on the cause of death. Burgess expressed that it might be difficult to determine whether the shark bites Sneed sustained were the cause of death or had occurred post mortem, due to the fact that Sneed’s body had been in the water for several days.

The loss of Richard Sneed is a tragedy regardless of the cause of death. My condolences and sympathy go out to the friends and family of Mr. Sneed.

According to the Fraser Coast Chronicle, a psychological thriller, entitled "The Reef," will begin filming in Hervey Bay. The plot of the film is centered around a group of friends, who are "stalked by a relentless 15-foot great white shark" after their boat capsizes while sailing at The Great Barrier Reef. The film will feature actual great white shark footage shot off the coast of South Australia.

The movie is reportedly "based on a true story" which doesn’t really mean much, when it comes to the horror genre. Other horror/thriller pictures such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Strangers, and the upcoming The Fourth Kind have made the "based on a true story" claim without really having much of their story-lines based in reality, in the least.

Based on the teaser trailer and the fact that the film is being marketed as a thriller, with a "relentless" white shark, it’s probably safe to assume that the movie won’t be helping the image of the often misrepresented shark species, although I don’t expect that this film will get the kind of exposure that a film like Jaws does. In the end, it’s just a movie, and those who are able to tell the difference between fact and fiction probably won’t be swayed by it, either way.

According to the Cape Cod Times, no aerial sightings of great white sharks have been reported in Chatham waters since September 8. While no sightings have been reported, the appearance of injured or dead seals are the only apparent of the white sharks presence in Cape Cod waters according to Chatham harbor master, Stuart Smith.

According to the PETA press release, PETA’s Pro-Shark Banner to Fly Over Cape Cod, the organization will be flying a banner over Lighthouse Beach in Chatham, Massachusetts today. Strangely, the banner, which will read "Dangerous Predator in Water–YOU! Go Veg!" suspiciously reads more like a pro-vegetarian message than it does a pro-shark one. Perhaps, PETA is trying to take a cue from Finding Nemo, and the message itself is actually intended for the sharks to encourage them to switch to a vegetarian diet, which could result in a healthier lifestyle for the sharks. That would certainly be a "pro-shark" message.

All kidding aside, the PETA press release states that the message is part of campaign "raise awareness of the plight of sea animals who are killed for food." The press release goes on to discuss the detrimental effects of overfishing on marine species, including sharks. While I certainly support efforts to raise awareness about responsible conservation efforts, I’m not sure that pro-vegetarian grandstanding, really constitutes pro-shark efforts, per se.

While the concept of, "If everybody (and every animal) was a vegetarian, no marine animal would ever be killed for food,” is not lost on me, I don’t really see this as a realistic solution to overfishing or shark conservation efforts, at all. I’m also not convinced that the shock value of over-the-top, attention-grabbing efforts (such as pointing the finger at anyone within the visibility range of a banner, and calling him/her a "dangerous predator") actually do anything to help a cause. Sometimes, it seems like certain campaigns are intentionally offensive, in order to simply draw attention. While drawing attention is typically the goal of these types of campaigns, if the general public is offended by a campaign, the underlying message of it is going to be lost. That’s just my two cents, though, and you can’t even buy a gumball with two cents any more.