David Shiffman

Charlie and the Adventure: June 21, 2010

June 21, 2010June 7, 2010 David Shiffman

Uncategorized

Charlie learns about another endangered species to be on the lookout for while on the water. North Atlantic Right Whales pass by South Carolina’s shores every year as part of their migration route.

Charlie and the Adventure: June 20, 2010

June 20, 2010June 7, 2010 David Shiffman

Uncategorized

Before he leaves to catch sharks, Charlie learns that manatees use South Carolina waterways. He’ll be on the lookout while out on the boat. WhySharksMatter has seen several manatees in the area.

Charlie and the Adventure: June 19, 2010

June 19, 2010June 7, 2010 David Shiffman

Uncategorized

Charlie is ready to go catch sharks with WhySharkMatter!

Expedition Great White: A response from Dr. Michael Domeier

June 14, 2010November 16, 2011 David Shiffman 9 Comments

Conservation, Popular Culture, Science

Last week, I wrote about National Geographic’s Expedition Great White. In that post, I mentioned that the practice of removing great white sharks from the water for research was controversial, and that I would ask the lead scientist in the show about it. Here are answers to my questions from Dr. Michael Domeier and his colleague Nicole Lucas. They also wanted me to point out that their website has an FAQ page about this technique, which can be found here.

Sharks International: Day 3 and 4

June 10, 2010June 21, 2010 David Shiffman

Science

The last talk of Sharks International just concluded. Day 3 focused on genetic and molecular techniques, which have been used to answer all sorts of interesting questions about sharks. I presented my research for the first time, and it was very well received (which is part of the reason why I haven’t posted in a couple of days- I’ve been very busy answering questions and celebrating being done with my talk).

Sharks International: Day 2 Summary

June 8, 2010 David Shiffman 3 Comments

Science

The second day of Sharks International just concluded. This morning’s keynote address focused on how shark behavior research has changed in the last few decades, and how improved technology has made that possible. Scientists used to have to build their own acoustic tags and follow the tagged sharks around in a boat. Nowadays, tags can … Read More “Sharks International: Day 2 Summary” »

Sharks International: Day 1 Summary

June 7, 2010 David Shiffman

Science

The first day of talks is over here at Sharks International. In this morning’s keynote, we were treated to a summary of the last 20 years of great white shark research in Australia. Talks so far have mostly focused on tracking studies, and people have made some fascinating discoveries.

Check out “Expedition Great White” on the National Geographic Channel!

June 4, 2010November 16, 2011 David Shiffman 6 Comments

Conservation, Popular Culture, Science

“How do you study one of the world’s fiercest predators in the wild?” the cover of the “Expedition Great White” DVD screener that National Geographic sent me asked. I was delighted to discover that my sarcastic answer of “very carefully” is exactly what the back cover of the DVD case read! I knew I was going to like this show from that point on, and I was right.

Ethical Debate: Killing sharks for science?

June 1, 2010December 31, 2011 David Shiffman 25 Comments

Conservation, Science

While attending last year’s American Elasmobranch Society conference, I was asked to fill out a survey concerning my views on lethal shark research. My response, along with those of many other participants, has now been analyzed and written up into a new essay in the Journal of Conservation Biology. Michelle Heupel and Colin Simpendorfer argue that lethal sampling of some individual sharks is sometimes necessary in order to get the data needed to protect those animals’ entire species. However, attitudes about conservation in general and sharks specifically are changing, and many (including these authors) feel that this is starting to affect marine biology as a science.

WhySharksMatter is going to Cairns, Australia!

May 31, 2010May 31, 2010 David Shiffman

Science

Later this week, I’m headed to the land down under to attend Sharks International, a once-a-decade shark science conference. Scientists from six continents and dozens of countries will be presenting their research on sharks, rays, skates, and chimeras. This will be the first time I’ve presented my own research at any scientific conference. I’ll try … Read More “WhySharksMatter is going to Cairns, Australia!” »