Part 2 of TourismToday’s episode on shark conservation in the Bahamas features Matt Rand of the Pew Environment Group discussing the impact of demand for shark fin soup on shark populations. The environmental effects of declining shark populations are once again discussed, as is the economic importance of sharks to the Bahamas. Rand goes on to say that shark tourism generates $78 million annually. He points out that shark populations are a sustainable resource that could continue to generate income for the Bahamas if shark populations are properly managed.

The video does have some hints of finger-pointing most notably is the implication that sharks might be in trouble due to a “significant Chinese population” taking up residence in the Bahamas, as result of the upcoming Baha Mar project.

TourismToday recently posted a two-part video feature on shark conservation in the Bahamas. Part one of the episode features Pierre Cousteau discussing not only the economic benefits of a healthy shark population but also the environmental benefits. Cousteau also reminisces about his first visit to the Bahamas, which was where he had his very first diving experience as well as his first shark encounter.

Sharks might have something to smile about with the Shark Conservation Act being signed into law.

The Shark Conservation Act was signed into law by President Obama on January 4th, according to a report from WIRED. While shark finning (the practice of cutting off a shark’s fins and dumping the rest of the shark back in the water) was already illegal in U.S. waters, there was a loophole, in which the law did not apply to boats that were not equipped with fishing gear. The newly-signed law closes that loophole, largely.

According to the WIRED report, the law bans all shark finning on any vessel, with the exception of North Carolina’s dogfish fishery. The exception was a compromise to gain the vote of North Carolina Senator Richard Burr. The North Carolina dogfish fishery accounts for one percent of shark fishing in U.S. waters.

In addition to the ban on finning on U.S. waters, the new law allows the U.S. to block seafood imports from nations that allow shark finning.

I love looking at photos of great white sharks. No two photos are ever the same, which is what makes each individual photo fairly recognizable. I was a bit surprised to see a familiar photo used in the graphic on CBS News’ report about a white shark encounter in Australia.

Yes, that less-than-impressive white shark photo seen over anchorman Jeff Glor’s shoulder at the beginning of the report was shot by yours truly at Isla de Guadalupe a few years ago and was first featured on this site in a blog post regarding Atlantic white sharks interacting with row boats. In fact, I’d have to go back through my files, but I’m fairly certain that the image is a frame capture from some video footage I shot.

I actually have much better quality shark photos than this particular shot, if only CBS had thought to ask for one.

The Associated Press have posted this video which is described as a great white shark “terrorizing” fishermen off of Western Australia. The white shark circled the boat and “grabbed the motor,” according to Mark Kik, one of the fisherman aboard the boat.

Florida’s WPTV.com is reporting that lifeguard Daniel Lund was honored with the Medal of Valor award from the U.S. Lifesaving Association for his efforts to rescue a kitesurfer who was bitten by a shark off of Stuart, Florida last February.

Lund paddled out to the victim after he noticed he was in distress, wrapped him in the canopy of the kiteboard, and paddled him back to shore on his rescue board. Tragically, the kiteboarder later passed away at the hospital.

Lund received the Medal of Valor for voluntarily risking his life in the attempt to save the life of another. Lund, himself, is a shark attack survivor who was bitten by a shark over 20 years ago.

WTPV.com reports that Lund did not take the rest of the day off after receiving the award at a ceremony, but instead suited up, grabbed his binoculars and rescue buoy and went to work.

Kudos to Daniel Lund for his selfless rescue effort!

YouTube user mightymuffinful recently posted this video featuring some human interaction with a whale shark (Rhincodon typus) filmed in the Sea of Cortez. While there’s nothing groundbreaking here in terms of videography, it’s a nice little video that documents what appears to be some fairly responsible interaction between humans and the shark.

On a side note, the video does mention that whale sharks are “vegetarians,” which is bit of a misnomer. While whale sharks are filter feeders and not considered to be predatory fish, their diet does include krill (a small crustacean) and planktonic animals.

Grootbos Nature Reserve recently posted the above video to its YouTube Channel which documents the rescue of a 4-5m whale shark (Rhincodon typus) which had become stranded on the shore at Pearly Beach near Gansbaai, South Africa.

According to the video information, a “group of locals” gathered to assist the beached whale shark. The rescue effort took eight hours and involved the use of a boat to tow the shark out to sea. Additionally, multiple doses of antibiotics were administered to the whale shark. After being towed out to sea, the shark eventually swam away on its own, according to the video.

While the long-term fate of the shark is unclear from the video, the effort of those involved in the attempt to rescue the shark are worth commending.

Australia’s Ten News is reporting that a “shark warning” has been issued as a result of heavy rains in Queensland, which are washing bait fish down toward river mouths and attracting bull sharks to these areas, according to Trevor Long of Sea World.

Long advises swimmers to avoid canals and river mouths, especially where there is low visibility in the water. Instead, he encourages people stick to protected beaches and netted areas in the broadwater.

WARNING: Graphic images appear in the video

Body-boarder Vaughn Stover was bitten on Sunday (December 26), by what Hawaii News Now described as an 8-10′ shark. In the video above, a pair of pro surfers can be seen assisting Stover to shore after the attack. Stover’s friend, Joe Mannoia, initially helped Stover after the attack and helped him reach the surfers.

The pro surfers, identified as Kai Barger and Tanner Hendrickson paddled Stover to shore, where they used a leash as a tourniquet and elevated his injured leg until medical assistance arrived.

Stover’s injuries required over 60 staples, and he will be on crutches for a week and a half, according to The Maui News. He is expected to make a full-recovery and plans to return to the waters once he healed up.

Kudos to all of those involved in assisting Stover!