TORONTO (CANADA)- Reefs worldwide are under pressure. Not only because of global warming and pollution. Shark fishing is another important factor in the decline of coral reefs, according to a joint study of Canadian and Australian scientists. Where shark numbers are reduced due to commercial fishing, there is also aContinue Reading
HONOLULU (HAWAII)- Traditionally they say in Hawaii that in the fall it is more dangerous to swim in the ocean. Chances are bigger of getting bitten by a shark. A recent study shows that there could be something behind this folk wisdom. In the fall, an increased number of tigerContinue Reading
JAKARTA (INDONESIA)- A new species of ‘walking shark’ has been discovered in the waters around the Maluku Islands, Indonesia. It has been described in the journal Aqua and given the name epaulette (long-tailed carpet) shark, or Hemiscyllium halmahera. It was actually photographed for the first time in 2008. Two other specimens were caught by scientistsContinue Reading
UTRECHT (THE NETHERLANDS)- As hurricane season in the North Atlantic is under way, marine biologists in The Telegraph reveal details of how sharks behave during adverse weather. Like other fish sharks detect disturbances in the water, which cause changes in water pressure, allowing them to detect threats or prey.In sharksContinue Reading
PEMBROKESHIRE (WALES)- Half a mile off the Welsh coast of Pembrokeshire scientists watched a rare 1000-pound thresher shark jumping out of the water. The 16 foot long shark was swimming alongside hundreds of dolphins, trying to steal their prey: herring. A group of researchers from The Sea Trust were observing aContinue Reading
CHATHAM,(USA)- Less great white sharks seem to visit the waters off Cape Cod this year. That’s what the researchers of Ocearch learned. In 2012 they tagged 17 great whites. Only 3 of those have returned this year. Ocearch has started a Shark Search to learn more about these great predatorsContinue Reading
ISLE OF SKYE (SCOTLAND)- A new research program tracks basking sharks of the west coast of Scotland. This region is a hotspot for the great gentle giants of these cold waters. The data will be used for the assessment of the region as a potential marine reserve. Basking sharks appearContinue Reading