The ReutersTV YouTube Channel recently posted a brief “Rough Cuts” feature on recent images of a shark fins being dried on a rooftop in Hong Kong that have caused anger among both local and international conservationists.

According to a Global Regina article, the photos were taken by Hong Kong based photographer Antony Dickson in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong. Environmentalist Gary Stokes originally photographed the shark fin operation on January 1. Dickson said that the rooftop was covered with “tens of thousands” of shark fins that were in the process of being dried out. Dickson was prompted to take the photos after seeing images of the shark fin operation via social media, according to Global Regina report.

There are no laws prohibiting the harvest or sale of shark fins in Hong Kong.

According to an ABC News report, 15 people were injured and 3 sharks died when a large shark aquarium “exploded” along a busy shopping area in Shanghai on December 19. The official cause of the structural failure was not determined according to the report. According to a statement from a mall official, the aquarium will not be rebuilt or replaced.

The video footage was captured by a security camera. There was no further information about the conditions of those injured in the ABC News report.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Have a safe and happy holiday season and a very merry Christmas to those who celebrate!

Vimeo user Shark Explorers recently shared the video above, which features white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) footage from both Isla de Guadalupe and South Africa. There is also what appears to be some sardine run footage and some nice blue shark (Prionace glauca) footage in the mix, as well.

You can visit the Shark Explorers website for more information about the Cape Town based shark diving operation.

Tracking data from SPOT tags reports the whereabouts of tagged white sharks.

"Genie," the first North Atlantic great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) to be fitted with a SPOT tag, recently reported in not far off the coast near the Georgia and South Carolina border. According to the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker, Genie’s tag reported data on December 9 around 11am. This marks the first time that the shark’s SPOT tag has reported data outside of Cape Cod waters.

Genie was originally tagged on September 13, 2012. Her satellite tag reported data multiple times during the month of September, while she remained in Cape Cod waters. The last ping, prior to the December 9 report was on September 30.

WARNING: Video features footage of shark repeatedly shot with shotguns

According to Shark Year Magazine, the video above was filmed in the Mediterranean Sea off Sousse, Tunisia earlier this week. Fishermen apparently caught the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in their nets. The shark was then repeatedly shot with shotguns until it was dead.

A 4m great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) that was spotted near Leighton Beach, Western Australia forced the closure of a children’s surf life saving carnival on December 2, according to a 7 News video report. Despite a controversial government issued “kill order” for large sharks that pose an “imminent threat” to beach-goers, Western Australia Fisheries Department did not harm the shark, which left the area within an hour. A Fisheries Department representative told 7 News said that killing the shark was not necessary, because it was not a threat with everybody being out of the water. Additionally, the shark was being monitored by boats and helicopters, during the time in was in proximity to the beach.

The beach closure coincided with a Cottlesoe coroner’s official ruling in the death of a Perth man, who disappeared while swimming last year. Part of his swimsuit, which had bite marks consistent with a 3m white shark, were the only evidence recovered from the scene. The police ruled that a shark attack was the most likely cause of death.

South Africa’s Dyer Island Conservation Trust has put together a “mini-documentary” explaining the steps that go into tracking great white sharks and the motivation behind the effort to track the species. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about what goes into the process of tagging white sharks, this video is great place to start. The video also does a good job of approaching shark conservation with a positive and upbeat approach.

To learn more about their marine conservation and research programs check out the Dyer Island Conservation Trust website.

Tracking data from SPOT tags report the whereabouts of tagged white sharks.

An OCEARCH tagged white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) reported in off the coast of South Carolina, east of Charleston last week. The shark, nicknamed “Mary Lee,” is an adult female measuring 16′ (5m) in length. She was originally tagged by the OCEARCH team in September off of Cape Cod. The SPOT (Smart Position and Temperature) tags report data when a tagged shark surfaces. According to tracking data, Mary Lee has been spending her time in coastal waters off of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina coast over the past month.

You can follow OCEARCH’s tagged sharks at their Global Shark Tracker page.

Kudos to Dani Zapata, the divemaster of the Solmar V, for cutting a rope free from a female whale shark (Rhincodon typus) near Roca Partida, Mexico. The video footage was shot by YouTube user Ed Gentry. The whale shark was 30′ (9m) pregnant female, according to the Solmar V’s video trip report. The rope was cutting into the whale shark’s flesh and creating a hindrance for the animal and could potentially have become life-threatening for the animal. Dani cut the rope free with a pocket knife.

Check out the Solmar V video trip report for more footage of the rescue effort and to hear Dani’s first-hand account of cutting the whale shark free of the rope.