Last week we jumped into the shark conservation world of SINO's with a specific focus on Mexico and their inability to enforce conservation laws for sharks.
As we have been documenting for the past several years white sharks are frequently taken in Mexico's waters, leading us to questions a recent announcement out of Mexico that would protect all sharks and rays in Mexican waters staring on 2012.
It seems that we were not alone in this line of questioning and as it turns out the entire announcement of a vast shark sanctuary in Mexican waters may be premature or downright politics as usual in Mexico.
For an in depth update on Mexico's ongoing shark problems read Serge Dedinas blog post from the NGO Wildcoast, one of the the most credible sources for front line shark information in Mexico.
The Mexico Shark Fishing Moratorium Fiasco
So is the shark moratorium truth of fiction?
These types of policy “wars” in Mexico over proposals used to be carried out domestically in the state-run media. Different newspapers would publish policy proposals by competing factions in a government agency (the Mexican government under the PRI essentially bankrolled the press).
You would always know an article was a political message because it would appear without a byline with a very forceful and badly written statement about a very obscure policy. Another newspaper would carry the same type of article from a competing faction of technocrats calling for a different obscure policy.
Then the issue would vanish from the public spotlight.
What is unfortunate is that in the past, Mexico used to pass far-reaching conservation initiatives because it was worth the positive international media exposure it received–and then those plans would be implemented (to some degree).
Voting For Shark Research Excellence - GEERG
GEERG is being considered by the Aviva Community Fund in order to launch the world's first webcam shark monitoring system in the St. Lawrence Estuary (Quebec, Canada).
If their bid is successful, the GEERG HD video feed and webcam will be online and accessible to everyone 24/7 on the GEERG website.
If their bid is successful, the GEERG HD video feed and webcam will be online and accessible to everyone 24/7 on the GEERG website.
In order to become a finalist, their project requires as many votes as possible. We have been big fans of GEERG for the past 7 years and the work they do in Canada.
This is one research team worthy of your support, and that includes you, the 2.38pm latte drinker who dips into this blog from time to time to "get your shark on."
A vote for the GEERG project is a vote for shark conservation. Please register and VOTE ONCE A DAY for the duration of the contest starting Monday, October 3 and please ask all of your friends and shark enthusiasts to do the same.
A vote for the GEERG project is a vote for shark conservation. Please register and VOTE ONCE A DAY for the duration of the contest starting Monday, October 3 and please ask all of your friends and shark enthusiasts to do the same.
Help GEERG protect sharks.
Voting starts on Monday, October 3, at 12 PM ET
Start the clicking now.
Visionary Shark Shooting - Trying Something New
Why do we love our Shark Divers?
This is why. Got an email from a diver who'll be out at the island with us in a few weeks with a "plan" to shoot white sharks in a way never tried before.
Yes this is the mock up, and yes, Michael has spent the last month planning, refining, and playing with this set up in his back yard.
Now all we gotta do is deliver two white sharks in perfect harmony, both equidistant from the port and starboard cages and from the looks of things Michael wants each animal to be about 20 feet long.
No problems we can do that, let's go shark diving!
Cool rig Michael, see you in a few weeks at Guadalupe.
This is why. Got an email from a diver who'll be out at the island with us in a few weeks with a "plan" to shoot white sharks in a way never tried before.
Yes this is the mock up, and yes, Michael has spent the last month planning, refining, and playing with this set up in his back yard.
Now all we gotta do is deliver two white sharks in perfect harmony, both equidistant from the port and starboard cages and from the looks of things Michael wants each animal to be about 20 feet long.
No problems we can do that, let's go shark diving!
Cool rig Michael, see you in a few weeks at Guadalupe.
Welcome to Facebook the place for sharks
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize the raw networking power of Facebook to effect lasting conservation change for sharks.
And you don't have to travel far on Facebook to discover a plethora of shark groups, petitions, posts and pro shark media that have reached millions of potential activists.
Without a doubt one of the main drivers to broad based shark conservation efforts around the globe over the past three years has been Facebook, a revolution for sharks.
Here's a "small sampling" of the Facebook Shark Revolution from groups and sites as small as 1500 members to groups as large as 300,000 plus.
Without Facebook sharks do not have a voice, and the oceans do not have the army of voices, creativity, and focus to effect lasting change for the environment. Kudos.
Stop Shark Finning
Divers For Sharks
Bite Back Shark Conservation
Shark Fin Free Auckland
The Australian Anti Shark Fin Alliance
Stop Eating Sharks Now
Save the Sharks of the Maldives
Save the Sharks
Save our sharks from a bowl of soup
Shark Tsunami U.K
Stop Shark Abuse
Ban Shark Finning USA
PangeaSeed
Oceanic Defense
Stop Serving Shark Fins in Vegas
Stop Shark Fishing
Support Our Sharks Europe
Shark Alliance
Shark Rescue
Shark Defenders
Shark Truth
Protect the Sharks of the Bahamas
And the list goes on, and on, and on...
And you don't have to travel far on Facebook to discover a plethora of shark groups, petitions, posts and pro shark media that have reached millions of potential activists.
Without a doubt one of the main drivers to broad based shark conservation efforts around the globe over the past three years has been Facebook, a revolution for sharks.
Here's a "small sampling" of the Facebook Shark Revolution from groups and sites as small as 1500 members to groups as large as 300,000 plus.
Without Facebook sharks do not have a voice, and the oceans do not have the army of voices, creativity, and focus to effect lasting change for the environment. Kudos.
Stop Shark Finning
Divers For Sharks
Bite Back Shark Conservation
Shark Fin Free Auckland
The Australian Anti Shark Fin Alliance
Stop Eating Sharks Now
Save the Sharks of the Maldives
Save the Sharks
Save our sharks from a bowl of soup
Shark Tsunami U.K
Stop Shark Abuse
Ban Shark Finning USA
PangeaSeed
Oceanic Defense
Stop Serving Shark Fins in Vegas
Stop Shark Fishing
Support Our Sharks Europe
Shark Alliance
Shark Rescue
Shark Defenders
Shark Truth
Protect the Sharks of the Bahamas
And the list goes on, and on, and on...
Discovery Channel News and SharkDiver.com
When Discovery Networks came to us seeking some quotes about the commercial shark diving industry you know we had a few.
After a decade in the industry Shark Diver has been innovative, conservation leaders, and commercial film and television developers - all in the name of sharks.
The Discovery Channel article went up last week and we're happy with the outcome:
Companies that arrange for caged shark diving expeditions usually brief you a bit on what to expect. The cages might seem like protection for you, but that’s not the case.
“The cages are for humans,” Douglas says. “Human curiosity is to want to explore past boundaries.”
The three most important rules, according to Douglas: “No. 1 breathe, No. 2 keep breathing, No. 3 Have fun.”
Complete article here.
After a decade in the industry Shark Diver has been innovative, conservation leaders, and commercial film and television developers - all in the name of sharks.
The Discovery Channel article went up last week and we're happy with the outcome:
Companies that arrange for caged shark diving expeditions usually brief you a bit on what to expect. The cages might seem like protection for you, but that’s not the case.
“The cages are for humans,” Douglas says. “Human curiosity is to want to explore past boundaries.”
The three most important rules, according to Douglas: “No. 1 breathe, No. 2 keep breathing, No. 3 Have fun.”
Complete article here.
Stuart Cove, Smartest Guy in the Room? - You Bet
I have to admit I have been a huge fan of commercial shark diving operator Stuart Cove for quite some time now. He's one of the savviest businessmen in the industry. Building, growing, and branding what amounts to a Shark Diving Empire in the Bahamas.
The empire is in expansion mode with a new office and dive site at Tiger Beach and rumors of a move to Cat Island as well.
I saw the office and spoke to his crew first hand last week as they arrived to set up with a new inflatable and "one day" Tiger Beach dive offers.
We had been on site with the Tigers filming a 10 day production with the M/V Kate over the past week.
Kudos to Stuart and his entire crew for the move. His new office will help the struggling economy of the West End, Grand Bahama and his entrance into the Tiger Beach arena only means good things for the site as a whole.
Operations typically view each other with suspicion and no end of rancor and angst. It's been one of the ongoing mainstays of our industry worldwide.
The empire is in expansion mode with a new office and dive site at Tiger Beach and rumors of a move to Cat Island as well.
I saw the office and spoke to his crew first hand last week as they arrived to set up with a new inflatable and "one day" Tiger Beach dive offers.
We had been on site with the Tigers filming a 10 day production with the M/V Kate over the past week.
Kudos to Stuart and his entire crew for the move. His new office will help the struggling economy of the West End, Grand Bahama and his entrance into the Tiger Beach arena only means good things for the site as a whole.
Operations typically view each other with suspicion and no end of rancor and angst. It's been one of the ongoing mainstays of our industry worldwide.
We don't see it that way.
The market can handle another operation at Tiger Beach and we are many years out from complete saturation at this pristine and unique dive site.
We look forward to seeing Stuart and crew out there this fall and next spring, if you ever need anything, we're here to help.
Let's go shark diving!
Cheers,
Patric Douglas CEO
www.sharkdiver.com
www.sharkdivers.com
415.235.9410
We look forward to seeing Stuart and crew out there this fall and next spring, if you ever need anything, we're here to help.
Let's go shark diving!
Cheers,
Patric Douglas CEO
www.sharkdiver.com
www.sharkdivers.com
415.235.9410







shark diving, shark conservation and things we find "amusing."











