According to Canada’s The Globe and Mail, marine biologist have discovered an aggregation spot for blue sharks (Prionace glauca) and salmon sharks (Lamna ditropis) in British Columbia’s Queen Charlotte Sound. Dr. Rob Williams, of Scotland’s University of St. Andrews, discovered the “hot spot” just south of Haida Gwaii, while conducting a survey for the Raincoast Conservation Foundation.

According to The Globe and Mail report, Dr. Williams estimated that 20,000 blue and salmon sharks gathered in the relatively small area each summer. A paper was published on the findings last year and was recently tabled with the Cohen Commission

For more information, check out Mark Hume’s full article “Shark week: Marine biologists hit ‘hot spot’ off B.C. coast” at The Globe and Mail.

(Video included primarily for the photo of the white shark. Enjoy the rest of it as you see fit.)

It seems at least one great white shark has already made the trek to Massachusetts waters for the summer (assuming that all white sharks actually leave the area during the “off-season”). Fishermen spotted the white shark circling the carcass of a minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) about a mile off Gay Head, according to an article from The Boston Herald.

Boat captain Jeff Lynch said the shark was as big as his boat and estimated the length of the shark at 20′. Reginald Zimmerman of the Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs estimated the shark at over 17′ and added that “it could have been 20 feet,” according to Herald report.

DMF biologist Gregory Skomal had hoped to tag the shark but did not arrive on the scene in time, according to the Boston Globe. The white shark disappeared after NOAA and Environmental Police towed the whale carcass away.

While white sharks are not uncommon in Massachusetts waters, this is the first confirmed white shark sighting in the area this season.

White sharks observed at the surface were identified by unique markings.

Earlier this year, reports of the results of study which estimated the number of white sharks off central California made headlines. Researchers formulated the estimate after surveying known and unknown white shark specimens, which were observed at the surface. Individual sharks were identified based on each shark’s unique markings.

Dr. Michael Domeier of Marine CSI has recently posted commentary on the methodology used in the above mentioned study. Domeier cites that the study assumed that the sampled white shark population was a closed population. Domeier goes on to say that the long term monitoring of white sharks at Isla de Guadalupe has shown that adult white sharks leave and join the population, which violates the assumption of a closed population.

Additionally, Domeier states that the assumption that individual sharks have an equally probability of being observed has been invalidated by previous research.

Domeier concludes that since estimate was based on “faulty assumptions” the estimate is invalid. He also states that the actual number of white sharks in the respective region is “likely dramatically higher” than the estimate reported in the published study.

Dr. Domeier’s full discussion of this study can be found at the Marine CSI website.

From National Geographic:

On this episode, the crew has reached their last days at Guadalupe Island, and want to make the most of it. They catch one more female great white, Annika, and Dr. Domeier hopes that a blood sample from her will complete his Guadalupe breeding ground research. They also wrangle Apache, a male, a fighter, and their biggest shark to date. The record-breaking shark, measured 13 inches longer than their previous record-holding white shark capture, weighs approximately 4,225 pounds.

“Shark Men: Biggest and Baddest” premieres Sunday at 10pm ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel.

Anthony Hoy has posted a follow-up video to his earlier report on the shark feeding debate to his YouTube channel.

The follow-up report features commentary from George Burgess (University of Florida) and Dr. Carl Edmonds, both of whom liken baited shark dive operations to Pavlov’s conditioning of dogs.

Burgess compares the baited dives to circus acts taken place in the natural environment. Edmonds says that it’s well-established that a Pavlovian response occurs with sharks when they are baited in the wild. Both Burgess and Edmonds indicate that they are of the opinion that baited shark dives are potentially detrimental to both sharks and humans. Burgess goes on to say that baited dives are, in essence, drawing divers to see sharks in their natural world but at the same time are causing them to act unnaturally, due to the element of humans feeding them.

Hoy adds that marine experts argue that the best place to view sharks is in an aquarium, which Hoy says is safer for humans and “certainly, a hell of a lot better for the sharks.”

The implication of the Pavlovian response caused by feeding sharks could arguably increase the chance of a shark attack. Edmonds offered a analogous situation involving divers feeding morays, which he believes caused the morays to begin attacking divers.

While the idea that feeding sharks in the wild is unnatural may seem like a fairly black and white argument, the notion that conditioning sharks through baited dives could result in more attacks on humans might be a bit less clear-cut.

Those on one side of the argument could argue that conditioning sharks to associated dive boats and divers with a feeding situation might increase the risk of shark attacks on divers. Those on the opposing side of the argument might suggest that the sharks are attracted to the bait itself and while boats and divers might signal the presence of bait, it does not necessarily mean that sharks are going to attack humans in the event that the expected bait is not present.

Burgess, Edmonds, and Hoy seem to be in agreement that legislation is needed to address the issue of shark feeding operations. So, where do you stand on the shark feeding debate? Feel free to sound off in the comments section.

Anthony Hoy recently added the above video report to his YouTube channel. Hoy focuses on the great white shark cage diving industry at Australia’s Neptune Islands and addresses the debate about whether or not cage diving practices “train” white sharks to associate humans with food, thereby increasing the likelihood of attacks on humans.

The report features accounts from tour operators including Rolf Czabayski and Rodney Fox who both contend that their operations do not endanger bathers nor increase the risk of attacks at Port Lincoln beaches. Both dive operators perform their dives at the Neptune Islands which is over 40 miles from Port Lincoln.

Additional accounts from John West, Operations Manager of the Taronga Zoo, who states that sharks can be trained in a laboratory environment. Dave Buckland, an abalone diver, contends that shark cage diving could result in sharks being more comfortable approaching boats and divers. Ken Penalurick, another abalone diver, told Hoy that he believed that sharks were becoming more aggressive, based on his experiences.

While the video report includes arguments on both sides of the debate, most of what is presented on both sides is based is essentially anecdotal evidence, with no real scientific research or data presented to support either side of the debate.

Great white sharks are expected to return to Cape Cod waters as early as mid-June.

TheBostonChannel.com is reporting that great white sharks are expected to return to the Chatham, Massachusetts area as early as mid-June. The sharks are drawn to the area by an abundant seal population during the summer months when water temperatures hit the mid-60° F range.

Data from white sharks tagged in Chatham waters over the past two years has shown that the sharks tend to stay in the area until early fall, at which point they travel directly to Florida waters “without spending a lot of time in between.” Skomal hopes to tag more white sharks this summer with the goal of learning more about their movement patterns and behavior.

Video footage of “Junior,” the great white shark who was captured, tagged, and released as part of Dr. Michael Domeier’s SPOT tagging research at the Gulf of the Farallones Marine Sanctuary, has recently been released. “Junior” was tagged on October 29, 2009 and during the process was hooked in the throat. The top portion of the hook was removed, but “most of the hook was left in the shark” according to an article on the Farallones website.

Cropped stills from the video above comparing footage of “Junior” from 2009 to footage from 2010, which showed a massive injury behind the white shark’s jaw, generated some controversy after some opponents to the catch and release tagging methods suggested the injury could be a result of the hooking incident. Others, including Dr. Doemeir, contended that the injuries seen in the 2010 still were the result of white shark bites.

With the release of the actual video footage, it appears that “Junior” had sustained multiple injuries that are consistent with white shark bites, which were not readily visible in the cropped still. For a more in-depth analysis of the video check out David Shiffman’s post at Southern Fried Science (and give the comments to his post a read, as they are definitely worth a read, if you’re interested in this particular story).

The Pew Environment Group is reporting that from an economic standpoint, a live shark can potentially be worth far more money than a dead one.

A recent study conducted by the Australian Institute of Marine Science suggests that a single live shark in Palau can bring in up to $1.4 million (USD) in tourism revenue over its lifetime, according to the video above from Pew. In comparison, a reef shark killed and sold for consumption is worth only about $108 (USD).

Palau declared its waters a nationwide shark sanctuary in 2009, which banned all commercial shark fishing. More recently, the Maldives and Honduras have also declared similar shark fishing bans. Additionally, Guam, the Northen Marianas, and the state of Hawaii have passed legislation banning the trade of shark fins.

May 13, 2011 is Fintastic Friday
(image courtesy of Whale Times)

WhaleTimes, Inc. and the Shark Research Institute will join children nationwide on May 13, 2011 for the first annual Fintastic Friday: Giving Sharks a Voice. The goal of the event is to raise awareness about sharks and encourage students to get involved in conservation efforts.

Whale Times Director, Ruth Musgrave was inspired to create “Fintastic Friday” while writing the National Geographic Kids book, “Everything Sharks.” Musgrave said…

“It is time to correct and update the image of sharks. They are vital to the survival of all ocean species. Sharks need a voice and we knew kids could and should be that voice of change for this indispensable predator.”

Participation in the event is “free, easy, and whatever level people choose.” Suggested activities include doing shark-related crafts, learning about sharks, holding a “Sharks in the Park” rally, or printing and posting a “Shark Conservation Zone” sign.

For more information visit the Fintastic Friday website.