The video above is described by YouTube user TheSharkShocker as footage of a “shark deterrent band,” being tested with “large reef sharks” in The Bahamas. The sharks in the footage appear to be have been baited, as bait can be seen being tossed from the boat during the video. There are multiple annotations in the video noting how the sharks turn away from the snorkelers after approaching them, with the implication being that the Shark Shocker band is deterring the approach of the sharks.

According to the Shark Shocker website, the bands use “Neodymium rare earth magnets” to create a magnetic field that disorients sharks and makes them “uncomfortable” thus driving them away.

While the Shark Shocker probably wouldn’t be something that shark divers would be clamoring to put on, it’s understandable that some surfers, swimmers, or snorkelers would be in the market for an effective shark deterrent. If you were interested in such a product, would this video serve as convincing evidence to support the effectiveness of the Shark Shocker as a shark deterrent?

A sand tiger shark's fins are critical for its mobility and ability to catch prey.

DelwareOnline.com is reporting that a team of graduate students found two sand tiger sharks with their fins removed in Delaware Bay. The students, from Delaware State University, had set out a multi-line hook as part of a shark research trip this past summer. On two separate occasions, sand tiger sharks (Carcharias taurus) were found with their fins removed.

In both cases, the sharks were still alive, despite having their fins removed. However, the article noted that their ability to survive would have been highly compromised after having their fins removed. Typically, sharks that are finned sink to the sea floor and drown. It is theorized that the sand tiger sharks might have survived the initial finning due to a unique ability to maintain neutral buoyancy by storing air.

WARNING: Video features preparation of a dissection of a great white shark.

Nat Geo Wild recently posted the above video about the jaws of a great white shark to its YouTube channel. Despite the “Menacing Jaws” title, the video itself is fairly informative and manages to avoid sensationalism, for the most part.

A female white shark that had drowned in a fishing net is being prepared for dissection in the clip, and her jaws are used for illustrative purposes throughout the video. The clip discusses the anatomical features of the jaws of white sharks and briefly touches on the physiology associated with a great white shark bite.

Also of interest in this video is the mention of the market for great white shark jaws. Due to the white shark’s protection status in most of the waters where they are commonly found, great white shark jaws are considered highly valuable, which unfortunately can make the species a target for illegal fishing. White shark jaws also unfortunately carry a high “trophy” status, which also make them a desired item by some. A quick search online turned up one set of white shark jaws with an asking price of close to $10,000. (The jaws for sale were obtained legally prior to protection laws, according to the seller.)

Time magazine is reporting that the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh are once again open to water activity under a new set of safety regulations.

According to Salem Saleh, the director of Sharm el-Sheikh’s Tourism Authority, swimmers will be limited to designated areas, and lifeguards and sea patrols will monitor the water. Additionally, authorities and hotel workers will receive training on rescuing shark attack victims. Salem also noted that existing laws banning fish feeding would also be strictly enforced, and that efforts would be made to stress the importance of abiding by the ban. The state will also strictly enforce dumping laws, in response to claims that sheep carcasses were dumped from a cargo ship into the Red Sea, which some theorized could have attracted the sharks responsible for the attacks.

The Time article also notes that the research team that was brought in to investigate the attacks has concluded its investigation on Sunday, prior to the announcement that the beaches would reopen. The team concluded that “habitual fish feeding” could have been one of the biggest possible factors behind the shark attacks.

The recent tragic shark attacks in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh have been surrounded by some strange reporting, bizarre theories, and a lot of wild speculation. The CNN report above adds yet another “theory” to the mix.

At 42 seconds into the video, Nina dos Santos asks, “is it possible we could see a ‘Jaws’ in Sharm el-Sheikh?” The question is posed to Oliver Crimmen, a curator at London’s Natural History Museum, whose response is, “it is possible in those waters. It’s a very wide ranging shark.” The question is asked while the two are seated with what appears to be the jaws of white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) between them.

Due to the fact that “Jaws” is a mainstay in pop-culture, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear a reporter ask if the situation in Sharm el-Sheikh could possibly be a “Jaws-like scenario,” in which a rogue shark has begun targeting humans. However, that doesn’t really seem to be the question that was asked. Rather, it seems as though dos Santos was questioning whether a white shark (the species of shark that was featured in “Jaws”) could be responsible for the attacks, when she asks about “a Jaws?”

Since the time this video was shot, evidence has identified that the two species involved in the attacks were the shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus). While Crimmin’s assessment that a white shark is “a very wide ranging shark” isn’t off the mark (assuming again that “a Jaws” referred to a white shark), the Red Sea is not a generally accepted habitat region for white sharks.

The video above features footage of United Kingdom angler Pete Thorman participating in a catch and release tagging program of white sharks in South Africa. According to the video information, the footage is taken from old home videos during Thorman’s fishing trips to facilitate conservation efforts involving the tagging of great white sharks.

Thorman caught and released 26 white sharks as part of the program, according to the video description. The events featured in the video were shot prior to regulations that created a total ban on rod and reel catches of white sharks in South Africa.

In addition to commentary about Thorman’s angling efforts as they relate to the tagging program, the narrator of the video also interjects his opinions and theories about baited cage diving in South Africa.

The BBC is reporting that George Burgess, the director of the Florida Program for Shark Research, has confirmed that multiple species were involved in the attacks off of Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh. Burgess went on to say that attempts to hunt down the sharks involved in the attacks was pointless, due to the fact that the research team investigating the attacks have already ruled out the possibility of a “rogue shark.”

Burgess was also quoted as saying the attacks were “undoubtedly” the result of environmental factors, but that the investigation into these factors was still ongoing.

Despite Burgess’ assessment of the futility of hunting down the sharks involved, The Washington Post reports that Governor of South Sinai Mohammed Shousha is claiming that a shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) caught and killed last week was responsible for two of the attacks. Shousha went on to say, “the search for the oceanic whitetip continues.” An oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus) is believed to be the species involved in the other attacks, including the fatal attack on a German tourist.

Back in September a trailer for “Shiver,” a documentary on the shark fin industry in Mozambique, appeared on online. Chris Scarffe of Moz Images, the company who produced the film, was kind enough to let me know that the entire video is now available on VIMEO (which can viewed in the embedded video above).

“Shiver” is presented in Portuguese and includes English subtitles. The film follows Carlos Macuacua, Mozambique’s first native dive instructor and shark conservationist as he investigates the shark fin trade in Mozambique and its impact on the marine environment. Macuacua is presented as a former fisherman who was originally afraid of sharks until he began diving and gained a better understanding of them. Macuacua went on to found Bitonga Divers which helps to train Mozambican divers and promote conservation of marine life.

Macuacua was recently interviewed by BBC about his campaign against shark finning. You can listen to the interview over at the BBC website.

Stuart Peterman's 'Sea Thru Shark' sculpture - photo courtesy of Stuart Peterman

Artist Stuart Peterman was kind enough to share some images of his recent shark-themed sculpture titled “Sea Thru Shark.” The stainless steel sculpture is handcrafted and is 42″ in length. “Sea Thru Shark” is just one of Peterman’s many free standing fish sculptures.

Profile view of 'Sea Thru Shark' - photo courtesy of Stuart Peterman

If you’d like to check out more of Peterman’s sculptures and other artwork head on over to his website.