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Tag: shark diving

We Robot, a horrible hagfish massacre, deep, delicious sandwiches, fish slime harvests, and more! Monday Morning Salvage: September 10, 2018.

Posted on September 10, 2018September 9, 2018 By Andrew Thaler
Weekly Salvage

Foghorn (a call to action)

  • The pending U.S. destruction of Pagan and Tinian islands.

The U.S. is turning a significant portion of Micronesia into live fire and bombing ranges to train Marines. It has plans to completely take over one island for this purpose and has control of two-thirds of another island.

If people in the U.S. mainland understood the military’s plan for Micronesia they might be alarmed. But this is really happening to U.S. citizens living in America’s territories.

(source)

  • We Robot 2019: sign up for one of the best conferences I’ve ever participated in!

Flotsam (what we’re obsessed with right now)

  • How a team of amateur explorers and an underwater robot laid to rest the ‘Ghost of Baker Lake’.
  • Jane Lubchenco: Science in a Post-Truth World. Hat tip: @EmmaJMcIntosh.
  • ‘Slime eel’ massacre caused by Washington man’s boat accident, lawsuit says.

The Levee (news from LUMCON)

  • Floodwaters are plaguing a lab where scientists study … coastal flooding.
LUMCON’s DeFelice Marine Center, flooded, as seen from a dormitory balcony. (Photo: Courtesy of LUMCON)
LUMCON’s DeFelice Marine Center, flooded, as seen from a dormitory balcony. (Photo: Courtesy of LUMCON)

Read More “We Robot, a horrible hagfish massacre, deep, delicious sandwiches, fish slime harvests, and more! Monday Morning Salvage: September 10, 2018.” »

Please don’t ride sharks, and other great tips from the new guide to responsible shark diving

Posted on March 12, 2017March 13, 2017 By David Shiffman
Conservation, Science

Shark wildlife tourism* is a growing marine industry with big implications for shark conservation. While there are many competing definitions, generally shark wildlife tourism refers to SCUBA dive operators who offer trips that guarantee that you’ll see sharks, often through the use of bait or chum to attract sharks to the divers. This has become a contentious issue in marine science and conservation circles. That’s why last week’s news that  WWF, Project AWARE, and the Manta Trust released the first-ever guide to responsible shark and ray tourism best practices is so welcome. This thorough and well-researched guide guide is designed for dive operators who want to minimize their potential harm to sharks and rays while maximizing the potential conservation benefits of shark wildlife tourism.

Read More “Please don’t ride sharks, and other great tips from the new guide to responsible shark diving” »

Bill that would ban SCUBA divers from feeding sharks in U.S. waters introduced in Congress

Posted on July 15, 2016July 15, 2016 By David Shiffman 3 Comments on Bill that would ban SCUBA divers from feeding sharks in U.S. waters introduced in Congress
Blogging, Science

Some SCUBA diving operators use bait or chum to attract sharks so that their customers can get an up close and personal encounter. A new bill that would make this practice illegal in all U.S. waters has just been introduced into Congress. Section 3 of S. 3099, the “Access for Sportfishing Act of 2016,” contains the following provision:

Read More “Bill that would ban SCUBA divers from feeding sharks in U.S. waters introduced in Congress” »

No, harassing a shark for fun is not ethically equivalent to scientific research that helps conserve a species

Posted on March 26, 2014March 27, 2014 By David Shiffman 18 Comments on No, harassing a shark for fun is not ethically equivalent to scientific research that helps conserve a species
Blogging, Conservation, Science

Last month, I wrote an article for Scientific American that I shouldn’t have had to write. In it, I argued that riding, poking, prodding or otherwise harassing a free-swimming large predatory animal for fun is a bad idea. I do mean “argued;” believe it or not, there are people who strongly disagree with me. In my article, I was very general and diplomatic, and I took pains to avoid naming names.

However, my article was at least partially inspired by the disrespectful, potentially dangerous, and very public behavior of one person: the editor of Shark Diver magazine, Eli Martinez. Eli recently wrote an article for Medium, in which he stated that: “Look, I have no problem with touching sharks and I do not have any problem with other people touching sharks.” He also notes that ” I just think riding sharks is disrespectful to the animals .” He has also shared the following photos (and many, many more like them) on his Facebook page, photos showing behavior he does not seem to consider disrespectful.

Read More “No, harassing a shark for fun is not ethically equivalent to scientific research that helps conserve a species” »

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