News News Digest - October Our selection of top shark stories, highlighting the latest news and discoveries from around the world... Spinner Sharks! 29 October Amazing video footage! A fisherman was lucky enough to see and record a shiver of Spinner Sharks in action in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Watch out Spinner Dolphins, these sharks can put on quite a show too! Ellusive and Rare Catshark Caught on Video 28 October First ever live footage of the rare, Short-tail Catshark! The research team of the Schmidt Ocean Institute mission were thrilled when they spotted one of the rarest sharks from their Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) on the Great Barrier Reef. Find out more... New Study on Geographic Origins of Shark Fins 28 October A recent study has started debate among the shark community. The study indicated that many shark fins sampled from the market originated from coastal waters, within various countries' Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Each country is responsible for implementing its own fisheries policy within its EEZ, which can include management measures for sharks. But, many sharks are wide ranging migratory species. So, countries need to work collaboratively to follow the science. Ensuring the sustainable management and conservation of sharks across EEZs and beyond into the high-seas. NOAA Urge Anglers to Know their Sharks 25 October If you don’t know, let it go! That's the message from National Oceanographic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) to shark fishers in USA. Reminding fishers, who require permits to handle or tag protected species in the USA, to know their sharks. We also encourage fishers to record any shark, skate or ray by species. Accurate identification is key towards species-specific recording and successful fisheries management. Check out our range of ID materials on our resources page. Meet ‘Pacman’ the White Shark! 25 October Unique markings on this White Shark’s caudal fin has prompted its new name, Pacman! Researchers from the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy are continuing their work to ID and study the behaviour of White Sharks found in waters off Massachusetts. Seven Dead Sawfish Found Washed Up in Florida 22 October Seven Critically Endangered Sawfish have sadly been found washed up dead on an inlet in Florida. Some with their rostrums removed. After the success of International Sawfish Day, this causes a wave of frustration for conservationists. But also provides motivation for us all to do even more to help ensure these animals are protected and respected. Shark Rescue in Essex, UK 22 October Fisheries Officers from the Environment Agency received an unusual call about trapped sharks! Three Smoothounds were found in a very shallow dyke in Essex. The officers were able to capture and release the sharks safely back into deeper water. Lets hope they don't venture back in! Unusual Reproductive Strategy in Sarawak Swellsharks…and Transparent Eggcases! 21 October Sarawak Swellsharks are rewriting the textbooks on shark reproduction! Shiffman’s article on this amazing recent discovery explains more. And highlights how much there still is to learn about sharks! Discovery of a Flapper Skate Egg-laying Site…At Risk from Fishing Activities? 19 October New egg-laying site to one of the largest skates in the world has been discovered off Scotland! More than 100 eggcases of the Critically Endangered Flapper Skate were found by divers on a rocky seabed off the northwest coast. Scientists warn of the vulnerability of the site to trawling or dredging activity. Find out more about the Flapper Skate here. And for more on how to submit your eggcase finds, head to the Great Eggcase Hunt. Sawfish in Florida Could Make a Comeback – International Sawfish Day 17 October International Sawfish Day! Great to hear that more sawfish sightings are being reported by anglers, divers and boaters around Southern Florida. It’s not yet clear whether these reports are a sign of recovery of this endangered species. But what is clear is a growing increase of public awareness in the area! Encouraging signs that citizen science reporting could help towards monitoring their populations in the future. NGOs Herald Proposal for International Science-based Fishing Limits for Mako Sharks - Urge US and EU to Get On Board! 16 October Endangered Shortfin Mako Sharks in the North Atlantic are seriously overfished. Makos will be taking centre stage in the 2020 talks of ICCAT, the Atlantic high-seas management body. And negotiations are kicking off today. Canada has already proposed catch limits that follow the science. But with COVID-19 related delays, continued overfishing by European vessels, and exceptionally lenient and complex counterproposals from the US and EU - will these sharks be given a chance for recovery? Eastern Pacific is a Major Supply Chain for the Shark Fin Trade, Researchers Find 13 October Using the latest DNA technology, scientists from Florida International University can pinpoint the region where a shark fin originated from. 85% of shark fins sampled from markets in Hong Kong and China have been genetically traced back to sharks originating in the Eastern Pacific. The samples commonly included endangered pelagic thresher sharks, as well as hammerheads. This research is shedding light on the associated fisheries at the source of the shark fin supply chain. And so is helping towards informing better fisheries management and protective measures for sharks. Offshore MPAs Still Subject to Dredging and Trawling 9 October 2020 Nearly a quarter of UK waters are covered by Marine Protected Areas (MPA). But an MPA doesn’t necessarily mean ‘no fishing’. So, what does it mean for sharks? Like other migratory animals, sharks don’t adhere to lines on a map. And many are still at risk of overfishing, whether that’s inside or outside the MPA. Sadly, there’s been concerning reports this week about levels of fishing activity in offshore MPAs. Whale Shark Population in Tanzania’s Marine Park are on the Up! 2 October 2020 The population of Whale Sharks in Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania has increased! A new report from WWF says that Whale Shark numbers have increased from around 100 to 206 individuals over 7 years! In part demonstrating the benefits of effective government action. And promoting the value of eco-tourism for Whale Sharks. New Documentary on Australia’s Controversial ‘Shark Control’ Programs The use of drum lines and nets as part of Australia’s ‘shark control’ programs is a highly controversial issue. This article describes a new documentary that'll be shedding light on these outdated practices, which impacts on sharks and other wildlife. And recommending smarter, non-invasive technology - such as drone monitoring - to come to the forefront. Gray Sharks Grab their Dinner ‘to Go’ 2 October New video footage! It turns out Gray Sharks have found a sneaky way to grab a quick meal. They shadow Whitetip Sharks as they hunt around the coral for fish, and then swoop in and steal their prey! Rare 'white' albino TOPE shark caught off the coast of the Isle of Wight 2 October A ‘white’ shark has been spotted off the British Isles. No! Not a White Shark! But a ‘white’ Tope Shark. An angler got the surprise of his life when he caught (and released) what appears to be an albino Tope. Click Here to check out this unique shark. First ever! Flapper Skate eggcase successfully hatches and is released into the wild! 2 October Amazing footage of a Critically Endangered Flapper Skate hatching from its eggcase! After 18 months of diligent care in captivity, this rare skate is now inhabiting the Sound of Jura Marine Protected Area! ‘Fins Naturally Attached’ comes into force in Queensland, Australia 30 September Excellent news to come out of Australia! The Queensland Government has introduced a new law in a key East Coast fishery. Any sharks caught are now required to be brought back to shore with their ‘fins naturally attached’. This is acknowledged globally as best practice for finning regulation. Squalene and the COVID-19 vaccine – what's really going on...? 29 September Many of you will have read alarming headlines in the past week. The Covid crisis crossing paths with sharks through the use of squalene as a common vaccine ingredient. With big figures quoted, the Trust is seeking clarification from key players. The demand for squalene, yet another facet of overfishing. Related Links: ► News Digest - September ► More newsBanner image: Tope © Matthew Meier Manage Cookie Preferences