Marine Biologist Dr. Mauricio Hoyos Recovering After Rare Shark Bite at Cocos Island
SAN JOSÉ (Costa Rica)- Dr. Mauricio Hoyos, 48, a renowned Mexican marine biologist and leading shark researcher, is recovering after being bitten by a shark this past Saturday during a scientific expedition at Cocos Island, Costa Rica. Dr. Hoyos, who has dedicated decades of his career to the study and conservationContinue Reading
First white shark of season confirmed off Massachusetts
BOSTON (USA)- The New England Aquarium is urging the public to be aware of their surroundings and report shark sightings after the first white shark of the season was confirmed in Massachusetts waters. On Sunday, May 11, a witness noticed a pool of blood off Smith’s Point in Madaket onContinue Reading
Great white sharks off South Africa’s coast are protected by law, but not in practice. Why this needs to change
SOUTH AFRICA- In less than eight years, white sharks in South Africa have all but disappeared from their historical hotspots in False Bay and Gansbaai, on the Western Cape coast. These areas were once known as the “white shark capital of the world” and were home to a flourishing ecotourismContinue Reading
Paying fishers to release sharks accidentally caught in their nets can incentivise conservation action – but there’s a catch
OXFORD (UK)- Sharks and rays are among the world’s most threatened species, mainly due to overfishing. They are sometimes targeted for their fins and meat, but more often caught as bycatch in nets aiming to catch other fish. Declines in these ocean predators can disrupt food webs, harm tourism incomeContinue Reading
Sharks are taking a bite out of anglers’ catch in the Gulf of Mexico, but culling isn’t likely to help
James Marcus Drymon, Mississippi State University STARKVILLE (USA)- Fishermen across the Gulf of Mexico are reporting that something is eating fish off their lines. What’s to blame? Many recreational anglers point a finger at sharks. What a shark left of this red snapper for the angler who hooked it. DavidContinue Reading
Great white sharks off South Africa’s coast are protected by law, but not in practice. Why this needs to change
STELLENBOSCH (South Africa)- In less than eight years, white sharks in South Africa have all but disappeared from their historical hotspots in False Bay and Gansbaai, on the Western Cape coast. These areas were once known as the “white shark capital of the world” and were home to a flourishingContinue Reading
Rare megamouth shark found in east Africa for the first time – why so little is known about it
GRAHAMSTOWN (South Africa)- A rarely seen megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) was recently spotted in east Africa for the very first time. It was recorded in a market in Zanzibar, where it was being sold after being captured and killed. The recent sighting was only the sixth time a megamouth hadContinue Reading