Deep sea shark spotted at the surface

An angular roughshark (Oxynotus centrina), a rare deep sea species, has been spotted off the coast of Cadiz, Spain.

The angular roughshark is a relatively small shark species with a mature size of approximately 50cm. They are characterised by the ridges over their eyes, the large, sail-like dorsal fins, and the flattened body-shape. They feed on worms, molluscs and crustaceans found in sediment and are designed to glide and hover over the seabed as they search for prey.

Their usual depth range is below 100m (though 50m is not unheard of) so it is concerning to see an individual at the surface. A number of stressors can cause deep sea sharks to migrate upwards in the water column. It is possible that human activity disturbed the animal. It is known that they are sometimes caught by fisherman and as bycatch from deep sea fisheries and are classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List as a result.

Whatever its reason for popping up, this angular roughshark has certainly caused some excitement.

Source: [x]

Atlantic bigeye sixgill shark is its own species, research has found

There has long been confusion around the bigeye sixgill shark (Hexanchus nakamurai). Namely, whether or not individuals from the Atlantic Ocean are distinct from those in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

However, new research by Toby Daly-Engel and colleagues has found the answer. Using genetic analysis techniques on samples taken from a number of individuals from various locations in the Atlantic Ocean, the researchers were able to determine that Atlantic bigeye sixgill sharks do, indeed, diverge from the Indo-Pacific individuals and from the close relative, the bluntnose sixgill (Hexanchus griseus). Therefore, they constitute a separate species.

The researchers have proposed reviving the name Hexanchus vitulus, the former name of the species before it was merged with Hexanchus nakamurai.

Through this research, we now have a better understanding of the Atlantic sixgill shark and can hopefully continue to develop our knowledge of their biology and behaviour so we can better protect them moving forward.

You can read the research paper in its entirety here.

Update: Men who dragged shark behind boat plead not-guilty

In a further update to previous posts, the three Florida men (Michael Wenzel, Robert Lee Benac, and Spencer Heintz) who dragged a shark behind their high-speed boat in a viral video back in July have plead not-guilty to charges of aggravated animal cruelty.

Photos have emerged from Wenzel’s Instagram account, however, that indicate that this is not the first time he has engaged in acts of animal cruelty. One image of note shows him holding a dead dog with a rope around its neck with a comment underneath implying that he intended to feed it to sharks. Other images show him harassing pelicans and catching tarpon by prohibited methods.

I will continue to update this story as it progresses.

Update: Florida shark-draggers charged

In update of a previous post, the three men who dragged a shark behind their high-speed boat and filmed the incident have been charged with animal cruelty.

The men have been named as Spencer Heintz (23), Michael Wenzel (25), and Robert Lee Benac (28). Because it was found that the men shot the shark before the events in the video, they have been charged with two counts of aggravated animal cruelty and could face a fine of up to $10,000 as well as up to five years in prison.

I will continue to update this story as it progresses.

Great white shark recovering in local swimming pool

A juvenile great white that washed ashore on Manly Beach, Sydney, is now being housed in a public swimming pool while it recovers.

The shark, although injured, appeared to be in good health otherwise and, once in the pool, was swimming well. However, it is very unusual for a healthy animal to be washed ashore, especially one as strong as a great white, so there could an underlying issue that is not yet apparent. The shark is currently being monitored and, if all is well, will be released as soon as possible.

Understandably, the pool is closed to swimmers but the shark itself has been attracting crowds and has become something of a local celebrity. Refreshing to see so many shark-lovers in one place.

Source:[x]

 

Megamouth shark spotted off Komodo Island

An elusive megamouth shark was seen off the coast of Komodo Island, Indonesia, by a pair of divers last week. They captured a video of the animal which can be viewed here.

Megamouth shark sightings are extremely rare as the animals spend most of their time at great depths, with an estimated maximum depth of around 1500m.

Like basking and whale sharks, megamouth sharks are filter feeders and it is thought that they migrate upwards at night to take advantage of the increased prey abundance in shallower waters. However, very little is really known about these rarely seen animals.

Which makes it all the more astonishing that one of the divers who spotted this individual was only on her eighth dive. Very lucky indeed. Hopefully she will go on to have many more exciting encounters in the future.

Source: [x]

Florida Governor calls for review of regulations following viral video

Rick Scott, Governor of Florida, has called for a review of state fishing regulations after a video went viral of anglers dragging a shark after their boat at high speed.

Gov. Scott condemned the act and stated that, if such actions are not already prohibited by state laws and regulations, changes will have to be made. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have assured that they are already working to strengthen their regulations to prevent behaviour like this in the future.

The incident is still being investigated and people all over the world have been outraged, condemning the video online. Meanwhile, shark advocates are calling for a harsher response from officials, demanding that not only should the laws be changed but the individuals responsible should be prosecuted for their actions.

Source: [x]

Great White washes up

A great white shark has washed up dead near Streaky Bay, South Australia.

There had been sightings of a great white of a similar size close to shore a week prior. The animal appeared unwell, swimming at the surface and bumping into rocks as it did so. This is thought to be the same shark and it is likely that, in its poor condition, it accidentally beached itself and died.

Some of the shark’s teeth were damaged, as if rammed against something hard, but this does not appear to be suspicious and is likely a result of its bumping into objects while swimming.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia (PIRSA) is currently investigating what ultimately caused the shark’s death but it is unclear whether their findings will be made public, something that has frustrated locals.

Source: [x]

Another Ocearch shark illegally caught

Ocearch has reported that they believe hammerhead shark, Einstein, tagged June 2^nd 2015 in Port Aransas, Texas has been caught by an illegal Mexican fleet targeting sharks in US waters.

Ocearch is a non-profit research organisation involved in tagging sharks worldwide and sharing their data through their Global Shark Tracker online. The tag is attached to the shark’s dorsal fin and, each time the shark surfaces, it generates a “ping”. The shark needs to surface for a minimum of 90 seconds, allowing for three consecutive pings in order to provide an accurate geo-position. This is then reflected on the global tracker which updates in near real-time.

Einstein’s last ping occurred on June 5^th on the Mexican coast. This was following two nearby pings on the 3^rd and 4^th which had been preceded by a period of inactivity by the shark. His last known location preceding this was off the coast of Texas.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time that one of Ocearch’s sharks has been caught and killed. Lampiao, a tiger shark that was tagged in July 2014 off Brazil, was confirmed to have been killed off West Africa back in November 2015. The tag continued to ping as recently as January 2017 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, despite attempts to recover it. With any luck, Einstein’s tag will be easier to retrieve.

It’s a shame to see this happen but, thanks to Ocearch’s work, people are becoming more aware that this is indeed an issue. They can see it happening right in front of them on their screen with sharks that they have found themselves personally growing attached to. And that awareness can do big things. Hopefully, with Ocearch’s continuing efforts, we’ll see incidents such as this happening less and less frequently.

Source: [x]