For the younger shark fans out there, Biscuit® digital media has released a shark-themed children’s book for iPad. According to Biscuit® “Sparky the Shark – A Frighteningly Funny Advenutre” follows the story of Sparky, a friendly but misunderstood shark, and his penguin pal Dax on their adventures to find a new look for Sparky.

The digital book features 33 illustrated pages and includes other interactive activities. An optional “Read to Me” feature that offers voice-over narration for younger readers is also included.

“Sparky the Shark” is now avaialable at the iTunes App Store for $3.99.

Proposed Shark Fin Ban

Update A representative from the Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education (COARE) has informed me that HB4119 was drafted by COARE and is being supported by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Humane Society International (HSI).

A bill that would ban the possession, sale, trade, and distribution of shark fins in the state of Illinois has been proposed by State Representative Sara Feigenholtz, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The proposed bill HB4119 is collaborative effort between Feigenholtz and the Illinois wing of The Humane Society of the United States.

If passed, the bill would go into effect in January 2013, with an additional 6-month grace period for fins already in possession. For more information on the proposed bill, check out the Sun-Times article, or head over to the Illinois General Assembly website to read HB4119.

NewzStringer has posted the above video in which Surfwatch Australia’s Michael Brown, an aerial patrol officer, discusses his views on the effectiveness of Sydney’s shark nets and possible alternative options to the net system. Brown suggests that research is needed on sonar-based alert systems and electronic pulse systems.

In related news, the Newcastle Herald recently interviewed shark attack survivor, Lisa Mondy, who spoke out against the use of shark nets. Mondy, who was bitten by a great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) last March, told the Herald that the nets were outdated and ineffective at preventing shark attacks. Mondy added that the nets indiscriminately kill various forms of marine life in addition to sharks.

You can check out the entire article at the Newcastle Herald.

WARNING: Video features language that some may find offensive.

YouTube user kairokk posted a video featuring footage shot off Hawaii’s Kaena Point on January 12, 2012. The video shows a large shark circling a fishing boat and features some colorful commentary by the videographer. The shark in question is identified in the video title and throughout the video by the men on the boat as a great white shark, but a quick glance at the YouTube comments shows that there are others who are identifying it as a mako.

From the 2:08 mark until about the 2:15 mark gives about the best close-up view of the shark. So, to all the shark experts out there, is this a mako or a white shark? (My non-expert self is voting mako.)

The video above is the second in a series of footage of the shark, if you didn’t get enough from the clip above, check out the other clip.

Australia’s The Telegraph is reporting that onlookers claim a juvenile great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) was “bludgeoned to death in front of crying children.” The incident reportedly took place at Sussex Inlet in New South Wales. The 2m shark had been hooked by a fisherman and then landed on the boat dock where eyewitnesses claim the shark was beaten to death with a metal pole.

The killing of a white shark in Australia is punishable by a fine of up to $11,000 and a two-year jail sentence, according to The Telegraph.

It was reported that some of the people on the scene claimed that the shark (seen in this photo) was a mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), which is not protected in Australia. A spokesperson for the Department of Primary Industries, who are investigating the incident, said that thinking the shark was a mako was “not an excuse.”

To read the full article head over The Telegraph.

The past few weeks have generated negative sentiment toward Rosie O’Donnell among some online conservation groups for photos that recently surfaced on Mark “The Shark” Quartiano’s website. A photo featuring O’Donnell and some of her family members posing with a hammerhead shark they caught, recently appeared after Quartiano named O’Donnell “This Month’s Celebrity Angler.”

The shark seen in the photo at the center of the controversy appears to be a great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran). The great hammerhead is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List. Despite the endangered status of the species, it was not until January 1 of this year that it became illegal to kill great hammerhead sharks in Florida state waters.

Until this week the criticism was limited to online social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter. However, it seems that the major media has picked up the story this week. Several media outlets based in Miami are reporting on the story, as are a handful of international media outlets.

O’Donnell has responded via Twitter that the photo was “taken years ago” and occurred before the regulations were put into effect banning the killing of hammerhead sharks. Quartiano told Miami’s WSVN-TV that conservationists are targeting the wrong person, noting that as a result of commercial fishing operations “metric tons of sharks being killed daily right outside of our coast.”

Australia’s ABC News is reporting that a 28-year-old man sustained a shark bite to the arm while surfing off North Avoca, NSW yesterday.

The Herald Sun reports that witnesses described the shark as being brown in color and about 1.8m in length. The surfer was taken to Gosford Hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. According to the Herald Sun, a hospital spokesman said that the victim was in a satisfactory condition and might not even need stitches.

Ocean Encounters has posted a video featuring divers Fred Buyle and William Winram freediving with great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) to their YouTube channel.

It’s not entirely clear from the video description where this was filmed other than somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. From the looks of it, there was also a healthy tuna population at the dive site.

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that an airline pilot had an encounter with a flying great white shark at “several thousand feet.” Don’t worry, SyFy’s “Mega Shark” has not become a reality, rather the shark in question was a wayward helium filled Air Swimmers toy, a popular item this Christmas, according to the report. The encounter occurred on December 26, during the pilot’s descent into New Zealand’s Christchurch International Airport. The incident was reported to ground control (no word on whether Major Tom was involved) to alert other air traffic to the presence of the toy.

William Mark Corporation, the designer of the toy, notes that it is strictly for indoor use. So, if you were the lucky recipient of an Air Swimmers great white over the holidays, please make sure to keep your shark inside at all times.

Underwater filmmaker Joe Romeiro has released yet another awesome white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) video. “Battle Scars” focuses on my favorite shark on the planet, “Cal Ripfin” (aka “Shredder”). Cal is a regular around Isla de Guadalupe in the fall months and is easily recognizable by his distinctive dorsal fin damage (as well as his many other “battle scars”).

Kudos to Joe for putting together another great video!