In Search of a Plankton Feeder
The Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus) can reach lengths of up to 12m and is the largest shark in British waters and the second largest in the world after the Whale Shark. Both are plankton feeders, and it is the plankton rich water (primarily along the West Coast) during the spring and summer months which results […]
Rescue mission to get juvenile bull huss shark off the hook
Species: Bull Huss. Location: Macduff, UK. 2015. A unique opportunity arose during my role as aquarist at Macduff Marine Aquarium. Whereby a juvenile Bull Huss (Scyliorhinus stellaris) which had been foul hooked with a stainless steel barbed ‘J’ hook, was given to the aquarium. This type of hook is essentially one of the worst types […]
Great white sharks live up to their name
Species: Great White Shark. Location: Guadalupe Island, Mexico. 2015. For years I have put the great white shark on the back burner, insisting that there were so many other shark species out there which I could be in the water with… But then in September 2015 I decided it was time to see what all […]
Finally! A fantastic view of elusive plankton eaters
Species: Basking Shark. Location, Oban, UK. 2015. August 2015 finally resulted in a successful mission to freedive with Basking Sharks! I have always been lucky with my shark encounters abroad, however in the UK, aside from the rogue catshark, they have always evaded me! On this occasion however, everything came together. I headed out of […]
Return to Bimini during Great Hammerhead season
Species: Great Hammerhead, Nurse & Bull shark. Location: Bimini, Bahamas. 2015. I realised with some surprise that a whopping 9 years had passed by since I had been in Bimini, with this in mind I decided a return visit was a must and what better time to go than during Great Hammerhead season (Sphyrna mokarran)!! […]
Hammer-time!
What does Hannibal Lecter, Ernest Hemmingway and I have in common? A taste for fava beans and a nice Chianti? (Chianti – yes), renowned literary skill? (pah! If only!). The answer is in fact the islands of Bimini, Bahamas situated 50 miles off the coast of Florida, North & South Bimini are the smallest habitable […]
Sea Shepherd UK; Seals & Salmon Fisheries
Today I headed to Gardenstown & Crovie on the Banffshire coastline in the hop of having a chat with the Sea Shepherd crew who have based themselves their in order to prevent “USAN Fisheries” who trade as The Scottish Wild Salmon Company from shooting seals. I was fortunate enough to meet some of the volunteers […]
School Outreach; Shark Program
An interactive shark program is now available for children of primary school age, from P2 through to P7 (ages 5-11). This specially designed outreach program enables pupils to understand basic shark biology, ecology and conservation. By identifying what makes a shark different from other fish – with a special investigation into the shark senses, looking […]
“Hope”
On the 4th of February 2014, at around 11:30 am I was at work at the Macduff Marine Aquarium, as I cleaned the ‘nursery’ tank (a display set up to house shark and skate egg cases as well as other young fish species), which includes the careful removal of algae from the shark egg cases. […]
The Ultimate Shark Conservation Experience!
The Ultimate Shark Conservation Experience! -Sign up for the trip of a lifetime with Saltwater Life & Basking Shark Scotland Summer 2014. – Learn about Shark Biology, Physiology, Ecology & Conservation – Observe and swim in the wild with the gentle giants of the shark world – Basking Sharks More than one in every six […]