Conservation Video

End Overfishing.

This is a great video describing the biggest problem faced by our oceans.  Enjoy & Share!

Here's a graphic showing the danger to sharks.

Howard & Michele Hall with Norbert Wu

Trip Report
April 2012

We were excited to welcome Howard and Michele Hall, and Norbert Wu to Cat Island!


The Group: Joseph Burkhart, Howard Hall, Michele Hall, Norbert Wu, Debra Canabal, Joe Romeiro, Briana Darcy, Vincent Canabal, Emma Smith.

We had a perfect week of sharks and the encounters were amazing! One day we were surrounded by 7 large Oceanic Whitetips (only one was male), countless silky sharks, and a few dorado flashing by.







Norbert Wu capturing a few unique images.


The next day, we spent all day in the water. This time, it was all female Oceanics, as well as countless silky sharks. The action kept building!









 
In the middle of all the action, a Blue Marlin came flying out of the deep. First a loud sound, like tree limbs snapping. The Oceanics reacted immediately and dramatically, but we still had no idea what was happening. Suddenly from below, an enormous blue marlin blazed in. Our hearts were pouding to get the phots, but this guy was different. He stuck around us for several minutes, which is an eternity in marlin time! After giving the divers a show, he cruised to the surface and circled our boat quickly, several times. The people on the boat were just as amazed as the divers in the water.





Notice the oceanic in the background. This marlin was about 14' overall length! Impressive





We couldn't be happier after encountners like these! Everyone on the trip had an amazing time. Check out Norbert Wu's Review for more photos and information.


On the back of the Thresher!  -with Joe Romeiro, Howard Hall, Michele Hall, and Debra Canabal

Bahamas Shark Sanctuary

Celebrating one year since the government of the Bahamas announced that all commercial shark fishing in the approximately 630,000 square kilometers (243,244 square miles) of the country’s waters is now prohibited.

This Shark Sanctuary permanently protects more than 40 shark species in Bahamian waters.

Thanks again to all those involved in this legislation!

Epic Diving reaching out to the local communities on Cat Island to gather support, and signatures, for the establishment of the new Shark Sanctuary. 

Show Support for NJ Bill S1764/A2719 to protect sharks

Please help show support for the NJ Bills S1764/A2719, which have been written to prohibit the sale and possession of Shark Fin in New Jersey. 

Take a brief moment to prepare an email to legislators to show your support of the bill.  Here's an example you can use.  Thanks to Shark Angels for providing the email.  This is just a template and should be modified with your own words, to be more effective.

You can find your local legislators on this website

SUBJECT: Please support S1764/A2719 to protect sharks and our oceans

Dear Legislator,

Every year, tens of millions of sharks are killed primarily for their fins. In just a few decades, some regional shark populations have declined by over 95%, and their populations continue to plummet. Due to the economics at stake, shark finning, the primary reason sharks are caught, is unsustainable, and often unregulated, illegal and inhumane. Fins bought in New Jersey support this industry and are driving the staggering decline in shark populations.

Reducing demand for shark fin through legislation is the quickest and most effective way to save sharks from extinction. The entire West Coast -- California, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii -- and the U.S. territories Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have already enacted bans on the shark fin trade. It is my hope New Jersey will exhibit similar leadership and join them.

S1764/A2719 will allow New Jersey to make a critical impact on decimated shark populations that play an important role in keeping our oceans healthy.

Please support the bipartisanS1764/A2719. In doing so, you will be giving sharks a much needed chance to recover, while protecting our oceans, and all who depend upon them.

Help Support Bale-Comeau Shark Conservation Project

Only a few more votes are need to get this project off the ground!  Vote everyday from now through Friday.

Vote Now

Sharks in Deep Trouble

WCPFC Proposal – Conservation Measures for Oceanic Whitetip Sharks

Noting the Scientific Committee’s concern about the steep declining standardized catch rates and size trends of oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) in longline and purse seine fisheries in the western and central Pacific Ocean and the Committee’s recommendation that the WCPFC consider mitigation measures for the species at its eighth regular annual session.

Read the full story here:

WCPFC Proposal – Conservation Measures for Oceanic Whitetip Sharks