What is Sharktober?

Sharktober is the period when the large adult sharks reappear on our coastline after six months or more of absence. After migrating thousands of miles from the Central Pacific ocean between North America and Hawaii called the “White Shark Cafe”, the mature white sharks return in late summer to their feeding grounds off the Central California coast.  

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Killer Whales Considered Separate Species

In the Gulf of the Farallones, the most common ecotype is known as the Transients or Biggs Ecotype. The Transients were the group identified in the humpback whale event last month. These orcas eat mammals, but are known to occasionally prey on seabirds, possibly squid, and occasionally even great white sharks too.

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The Real Apex Predators Are White and Black

Highly intelligent, Orcas are also adaptable. It is believed that the resident Orcas may be moving into southern waters to seek alternate prey sources due to a decline in salmon. With an abundance of anchovies in the Greater Farallones and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries, hundreds of humpback whales are feeding nearshore. Overlapping with the whale season is Sharktober, when the adult white sharks return to feed on pinnipeds off the Farallon Islands.  Shark Stewards leads public education trips out to the Farallones each fall helping collecting observations on whales and sharks. Although we love orcas, speaking from a shark conservationists’ point of view, we hope they pass on through and white sharks aren’t on the menu this year!

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NOAA Considers New Rule to Increase Protection Oceanic Whitetip Sharks

In a public hearing August 20-21 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conducted hearings seeking comments on a proposed rule to extend protective regulations for threatened oceanic whitetip sharks under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act.  The public can submit comments on the rule until Sept. 15.

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Science Communication and Public Ocean Education

Science communication is the ability to engage a wide array of audiences regarding environmental concerns, utilizing a framework set forth to hook participants into educating more on pertinent topics, and strategically designing a solution for next steps. Science is meant to be engaging and fun for all ages of learners and educators, and this means presentations should be designed for all levels of thinkers.

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Shark Week News and the Kahu Manō

This week is Shark Week, Discovery Channels sensationalistic programs on feeding frenzies and shark attacks. On a more serious note, July 14 is International Shark Awareness Day, a day to recognize the importance of sharks to marine ecosystems, and the dire threat of extinction many species face. Shark Stewards lives for sharks everyday, and works to protect them from overfishing and the wildlife trade.

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