Lawrence Groth has posted some impressive great white shark footage from Isla de Guadalupe to his YouTube Channel which was filmed from what the video description calls the SPSC (Self-Propelled Shark Cage). Several of Guadalupe’s “regulars” can be seen in the video, including Lucy, Cal Ripfin (aka Shredder), and Zapata (aka Bruce).

According to the Great White Adventures website, the SPSC was designed for use by Film and Documentary crews.

According to an Al Jazeera English report, a motion that would make it illegal to own, sell, or consume shark fin in Toronto has been proposed before the City Council.

Like similar shark fin bans elsewhere, the proposed motion in Toronto has drawn some criticism due to shark fin soup’s place in Chinese culture, such as the tradition of serving the soup at wedding banquets. The Al Jazeera report features opinions from members of Toronto’s Chinese community who both support and opposed the proposed ban.

The motion is expected to be voted on later this year.

“Shark Wars” the first in a series of shark-themed children’s books by author Ernie Altbacker was released this week. According to the book’s description, the storyline involves prehistoric shark clans who have maintained balance in the ocean over the years. However, overfishing and rising sea temperatures have resulted in a shortage of food, which has led to battles and corruption among the shark clans over a shortage in food. The story centers around a reef shark named Gray, who leaves his home and ventures to “deep Open Water” to bring peace back to the oceans and discover his destiny.

The first book in the series was released June 14, with a second book slated for a December 2011 release. In addition to the books a free “Shark Wars” game for iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch is available from iTunes. There is also a “Shark Wars” Facebook fan page.

Delmarvanow.com is reporting that the 31st annual Ocean City Shark Tournament will give “more recognition” to fishermen who release their catches, in order to promote sustainable shark fishing. In addition to the increased rewards in the catch-and-release division, participants in the tournament will also be required to use circle hooks to reduce the chance of life-threatening injuries to the sharks, according to the report.

According to Mark Sampson, one of the tournament’s founders, fishermen will also be collecting data to assist researchers with various shark-related studies.

Check out the full story at delmarvanow.com for more details.

From National Geographic:

This time the Shark Men aren’t searching for sharks they’re tracking the giant Humboldt squid. Little is known about the elusive monster that can grow as long as a school bus. Joined by three squid experts, the Shark Men scour the Sea of Cortez by spotter plane and boat in the hopes of finding a giant squid. After days of finding only a juvenile Humboldt, Captain Brett manages to catch a fully mature Humboldt, but what the cameras catch is even more spectacular.

National Geographic Channel’s “Shark Men” airs Saturday at 10pm ET/PT.

A promotional video for “Dark Tide,” a new horror/suspense movie starring Halle Berry, was recently posted by Vimeo user misterbay. The story is centered around a dive instructor (played by Berry) who has a near-fatal encounter with a great white shark, according to IMDB. The movie also stars Olivier Martinez. An official release date has not been announced for the film.

Based on the promotional video and the plot description, it looks like great white sharks will take on an antagonistic role in the film and will be at least partly responsible, along with the other perils of being “lost” at sea, for the “horror/suspense” element.

The BBC is reporting that multiple sightings of an oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) have been reported to Cornwall harbor officials. Two people on separate boats reported seeing the species about 1 mile from the shore. However, a spokesperson for the harbormaster’s office said that the identity of the species had not been “100% confirmed.”

Richard Pierce, chairman of the Shark Trust, issued the following statement about the reported sightings:

It is always exciting and interesting to get sighting reports of what may be new species to our waters. Elements of the description we have heard are consistent with Oceanic Whitetips, although to date there have been no confirmed reports of Oceanics in UK waters.

The BBC notes that oceanic whitetip sharks are typically not found further north than Portugal.

In related news, The Mirror, The Sun, The Telegraph, and Herald Sun feature stories about a “terrifying” attack by a “killer” shark, which involved a shark ramming a fisherman’s boat in a manner reminiscent of “Jaws.” The description of the shark involved in the incident matched the description of an oceanic whitetip shark.

WPTV.com reports that a Florida dive instructor is expected to fully recover after being bitten in the leg by a blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus). According to the report, Daniel Webb of Jupiter, Florida was diving at about 70′ with a dive student when the shark bit on his leg and did not immediately let go. In fact, Webb told WPTV that he struggled with the reef shark for a few seconds before he was able to shake it off. Webb said the shark was acting “jumpy” and “weird” before it bit him.

Webb’s injuries required stitches and apparently staples based on an image that can be seen at WPTV.com. Despite his injuries, Webb told WPTV that he does not blame the shark for the incident. Dr. Daniel Kapp, Webb’s surgeon, said that he expects a full recovery from Webb over a two month period. Webb plans to return to the diving after his recovery and said, “All the creatures down there, even the sharks, are still just amazing creatures to watch.”

For more information, check out the full story at WPTV.com.

The 2011 edition of Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, hosted by Andy Samberg, is featuring a video contest, in which contestants can submit videos showing how they “celebrate” Shark Week. The submission period for videos is from June 13 to July 1. After the submission period ends, 16 videos will be chosen by Discovery Channel for a bracket-style head-to-head “Shark Week Tournament.” The videos will be voted on by online viewers over a 3-day “squabble.” The video with the higher percentage of votes will then move on to the next round. The top-two videos will be aired a commercials during Shark Week, with one video ultimately being crowned the winner.

For more information and full contest details, visit the Shark Week Video Contest website.

From National Geographic:

The Shark Men continue the search for a great white named Amy who they believe is about to give birth. The team will search by air and sea, hoping for the biggest accomplishment of their entire scientific mission. The Sea of Cortez seems to be a perfect habitat for a great white shark nursery, though it’s full of man-made dangers. It is a high-traffic area for use of long lines and gill nets, and though sharks aren’t the target, they often get caught in the crossfire.

National Geographic Channel’s “Shark Men” returns with a new episode on its new night this Saturday (June 11) at 10pm ET/PT.