Neil Hammerschlag and Giant Bull

Neil and bull shark - CREDIT: Emma Smith/333productions

While Neil has probably tagged thousands of sharks for research - he has never tagged a bull this large, well over 1,000lbs - this is about as large as they get.  The shark was hooked in the Florida Keys - what a sight it must have been.

Check out the complete story on Yahoo News

Mike - these are Fiji-sized Bulls!

Good Research...

The latest in shark news always seems to come from Shark Diver.  Recently they posted a video about research conducted by the University of Miami in reference to shark diving and changing shark behavior.  Seems like the impact is not as high as people have suggested in past.

Best PR for sharks....

.... is to get serious and environmentally engaged journalists interested in the plight of these endangered creatures. Professional writers are the ones who can make a difference by informing and educating their readers.

They need good PR professionals, badly!

Photo: Wolfgang Leander (Tiger Beach / Bahamas, 2010)

Click on image

Here we have a good example how this can be done: Juliet Eilperin, "Washington Post" reporter, took a bunch of journalists on a shark tagging tour with Neil Hammerschlag of the University of Miami.

Read this one account of the trip, put together by Todd Woody, a "Forbes" editor.

Good job - excellent, far-reaching multiplier effect!

And dig this: A very well researched new book on sharks written by Juliet Eilperin. Highly readable, highly recommended!

Neil on CNN

Neil Hammerschlag is a shark scientist right here in Miami who is very active in researching and protecting sharks - as per Mike's blog (and an email from Neil) - I found out that he had been featured on CNN to discuss the possible impact that oil spill may have on sharks:





Read the complete story here - Neil and team, keep up the good work...

Pregnant sharks killed in Florida - over 40 pups dead

Received a sad note from Neil Hammerschlag this morning about the death of a pregnant bull and hammerhead shark.  Both seem to have died as a result of irresponsible fishing.  As per Neil's post:


"I am sad to report that within the last 24 hours, 2 pregnant sharks were killed.

The first  shark that washed up on shore, was in the Florida Keys yesterday. It was a 9 ft pregnant bull shark with 12 dead pups that were ready to be born.

Dead 9 ft pregnant Bull shark washed up on beach as a result of beach fishing. Shark had two "J" hooks in it's gills (Click to enlarge)

12 dead bull shark pups (click to enlarge)

The second shark washed up this afternoon, was on Delray Beach. It was a 13 ft pregnant hammerhead shark with 35 dead pups that were ready to be born.

Dead 13 ft pregnant Hammerhead with J Hook (click to enlarge)

35 dead hammerhead pups (Click to enlarge)

Both sharks were entering nearshore waters to give birth when they were captured. Witnesses reported in both areas land-based shark fishing activities in the area the previous night.  Both sharks were found dead with “J” hooks;  one shark had double “J” hooks lodged in its gills.


Luckily, team members from the RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program were able to respond and collect data, photos and samples.  So in less than 24 hrs, Florida lost 49 sharks (36 hammerheads & 13 bull sharks), of which 2 were reproductive females likely helping sustain the local nearshore population.

12 dead bull shark pups that were ready to be born (Click to enlarge)

It is sad to see such waste.


I am a strong supporter and promoter of responsible & sustainable catch & release fishing. However, I do not support fishing with destructive gear (J hooks) for threatened and pregnant species in areas and times of year where they congregate to give birth. This is just not responsible.


I think we need to consider at least the following regulations:


1) Only shark fishing with “Circle” hooks. This has already been instituted as part of Florida law for other fishes like groupers and snappers.
Circle hooks generally allow safe hooking of sharks in the side of the mouth, where they can be easily and quickly removed (this is compared to J hooks that sometimes cause gut or gill hooking which can be lethal).


2) Establishing protection for pregnant female sharks during the breeding season, especially threatened species like hammerhead and bulls.


3) Establishing standards and protocols for gear configurations and techniques for shark fishing that reduce fight, handling, and air exposure times, which will promote successful catch & release.


In addition, I think more research is needed to examine the effects of different types of catch & release fishing on post-release mortality to help better inform anglers on how to conduct sustainable catch & release fishing, which I support. I also believe more research identifying critical habitat for shark congregation, mating & pupping for conservation. Most importantly, we need to educate the public about threats facing sharks and how they can make a difference.


Most fishermen are responsible and ethical. The irresponsible minority reflects badly on everyone else. Responsible catch & release shark fishing is sustainable and many practice this. We just need to get everyone on board!

Brendal Davis & Mary O'Malley with dead hammerhead pups

Thank you to Curt & Kelli Slonim, Brendal Davis & Mary O’Malley for responding and being on the scene to collect data, take photos and educate the public!


Please provide your comments below and forward this to others!
Thank you for your time,
Neil Hammerschlag, Ph.D.
…………………………………..
Research Assistant Professor,
Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS)
Leonard & Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science & Policy
Director, RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program
University of Miami
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, Florida, 33149
E-mail: nhammerschlag@rsmas.miami.edu

O: 305.421.4356    F: 305.421.4675   C: 305.951.6577"

Neil Hammerschlag - Saving the Blue

Neil Hammerschlag is a Ph.D. Candidate in Marine Biology and Fisheries at the University of Miami, Rosensteil School for Marine and Atmospheric Science and co-directs the South Florida Student Shark Program (SFSSP), a multi-disciplinary education and research program providing practical-hands-on marine field research experience for high school and undergraduate students, and is working in collaboration with the National Parks Service to establish a unique virtual distance education project to bring ocean exploration into classrooms via live online interactive wireless communications.

I just recently started to donate to his student program after my prior shark foundation experience was not too fulfilling... Neil invited my father and me to go out with him late this Novemeber - very much looking forward to this (not as a result of my small donations :-).

In addition, Neil is also part of a new project: Save the Blue whose current campaign is to bring the movie Sharkwater, together with WildAid, to China. If there is one place that Sharkwater needs to be shown extensively it is here. Enough with the Festivals and Awards - bring the movie to where it will really make a difference.

A little secret - he is a terrible bowler...

Minimum donation is $20 - but you will also get a nice shark pendant - I am getting mine now...

Just to be clear I am not happy the direction the Sharkwater team has taken - but I do support the fact that Save the Blue and WildAid are trying to distribute and show the movie in Asia...