The Trump administration is trying to undermine language in the Endangered Species Act to make it easier for developers and industry. It would loosen restrictions on industrial activities like coastal development and oil exploration that might damage an endangered animal’s habitat, even if the animal itself is not directly harmed.
Read MoreTell BOEM No Coastal Oil Drilling
As a concerned citizen I am writing in strong protest for the proposed opening of federal waters to oil development, exploration off California and in our National Marine Sanctuaries. These areas of high productivity and biodiversity are highly vulnerable to ocean noise, disturbance and risk of spill associated with exploration and oil and gas extraction.
Read MoreTrump Opens Pacific Marine Monuments to Commercial Fishing
President Trump signed an executive order that opens up commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage National Marine Monument, covering about 490,000 square miles of ocean southwest of Hawaii. The removal of protected status under Executive Order has been proved in court under the last Trump Administration to violate the Antiquities Act. New litigation from environmental groups is pending in response to the Executive Order.
Read MoreThe Gnashing of Teeth, or the Clack of Jaws. Do Sharks Speak?
Sharks are often called the Silent Killer, but are they really silent? Communication can include many senses, and sharks have senses that few other species possess.
Contrary to popular belief, sharks can produce sounds. Various species of sharks are known to create noises using a variety of methods.
Do Shark’s Pee?
How do shark void their waste products? There is a common misconception that sharks do not excrete their urine but instead void it through the blood and gill system. While partially true, sharks, like other vertebrates also urinate.
Read MoreHonoring Women’s History Month: Carmen Koepfer
This week, following 45 days of Congress in session, the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary has become our 18th National Marine Sanctuary.
Read MoreSupport Increasing International Protection for Endangered Sharks at CITES CoP20
As a U.S. nongovernmental organization Shark Stewards will attend CoP20 as a participant advancing the Oceanic Whitetip shark, Whale shark and Gulper Sharks. In addition we will be advancing the proposal with Mexico to increase Hammerhead sharks to Appendix I: the highest level of protection for trade available.
Read MoreShark Retention Bans Can Save Sharks
A study published in the journal Fish and Fisheries this month revealed that fisheries could reduce shark death by requiring the release of threatened sharks caught as bycatch by at least three times. Known as retention bans, the practice requires that fishermen release certain sharks that are endangered or unwanted rather than retain them for their fins or some other use.
Read MoreSevengill sharks of California, Photo ID and Community Science
Michael Bear is the President and co-founder of Ocean Sanctuaries and a board member of Shark Stewards. He manages the Sevengill Shark ID Project, which uses the pattern recognition algorithms contained in ‘Wildbook’ to help identify Sevengills returning to La Jolla [and Cape Town] from year-to-year. We are leading dive trips and recruiting divers who dive the san Diego area to submit photographs of sevengill sharks to photo ID using an algorithm.
Read MoreDiving With Sharks: Shark Science and Shark Ecotourism
Shark Ecotourism can help protect sharks from fishing and even allow shark populations to recover. However, some practices attracting sharks and maintaining their presence in an area may have negative impacts on individual sharks, shark behavior and even populations.
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