With a reported top speed of 74 kilometers per hour (46 miles per hour), the shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) is one of the fastest creatures in the sea. It can jump up to 9 meters (30 feet) out of the water; its unique skin has inspired developments in the aeronautics industry; and with one of […]
CITES Conference results in new protection for sharks
More than a dozen new species of sharks received additional protections after the 18th Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Conference of the Parties held this week in Geneva, Switzerland. “Previous successful listing of shark and ray species means there is building momentum for CITES to provide protections and inspire fisheries […]
Study maps evolution of sharks through their teeth
The family of mackerel sharks, from the modern mako to the prehistoric megalodon, can be traced back to a modest common ancestor, according to a new study by the University of Vienna, Austria. The study, which was published in the recent journal Scientific Reports, looked at tooth samples from the great white and other members of […]
The scariest part of filming Shark Week? The humans
Shark Week veterans Joe Romeiro, Dr. Neil HammerschlagStefanie Brendl and Jamin Martinelli all agreed that the most dangerous part of diving with sharks while filming for Shark Week on Discovery Channel is the human element that goes into it. “People are way more unpredictable than sharks are,” Romeiro said. “I kind of know what the shark […]
Specialized scales propel mako sharks to top speeds
A new study from the University of Alabama, which will be presented at the 2019 American Physical Society Meeting in Boston later this month, found that specialized scales on the mako shark’s fins and along its flank help the predator reach speeds of nearly 80 miles per hour. They found tiny — approximately 0.2-millimeter in […]
SharkoFiles: Shortfin Mako
Undoubtedly, the shortfin mako sharks are among the most fascinating and attractive sharks in existence. One of the prominent attributes the sharks are well known for being their unique physical appearances. The shortfin mako sharks are distinguished from their counterparts due to their prominent coloration. They have colors ranging from deep purples to bright indigo […]
Study: Sharks become less nimble as they age
Just like old uncle Frank, several species of sharks tend to become slower and less agile as they age, a new study from Florida Atlantic University has found. In a a joint effort by FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service, scientists examined cartilage mechanics […]
Guy Harvey Weekend at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
For over three decades, Guy Harvey has been raising awareness for marine conservation efforts, especially when it comes to sharks, through his artwork and community outreach. The renowned artist and conservationist said that it was time to go beyond awareness and take the next step in the conservation process. “Now it’s time to spread […]