DOCSLIB.ORG

Teachers Handbook (.PDF)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Sharks TEACHER HANDBOOK Save Our Seas Foundation Maxine, Science, Education and Awareness Programme Sharks TEACHER HANDBOOK GEOFF SPIBY There is no guarantee that people will care if they know, but it is certain they cannot care if they do not know. DR SYLVIA EARLE The Save Our Seas Foundation Maxine, Science, Education and Awareness Programme (M-Sea) is an AfriOceans Conservation Alliance initiative, in collaboration with the Two Oceans Aquarium, sponsored by Save Our Seas Foundation. Acknowledgments Our Sponsor A very special thanks to our sponsor, the Save Our Seas Foundation, who made the Save Our Seas Foundation M-Sea Programme and the Teacher Handbook possible. Original Concept and Project Manager: Lesley Rochat: AfriOceans Conservation Alliance (AOCA). Writers: Lesley Rochat of AOCA, Terri Haag of WordWorks. Other Contributors: Dr P Garratt and the Two Oceans Aquarium Environmental Education Centre: Russell Stevens, Weston Barwise, Bianca Engel, Mark Peters, Thomas Mtontsi. Curriculum and Educational Advisor: Dr Eureta Rosenberg. Activities: Dr Eureta Rosenberg, Terri Haag, Lesley Rochat and the Two Oceans Aquarium educational team. Thank you to the Two Oceans Aquarium Environmental Education Centre, to John Kieser at Environmental Tourism of South Africa, and to Iziko SA Museum’s Sharkworld for their support and advice during the development of the book, and to Geoff Spiby ([email protected]) for generously contributing photos, as well as all the other photographers who are credited below their images. Scientific Advisors: AOCA Board of Directors: Dr L.J.V. Compagno, Professor C.L. Griffiths, D.W. Japp, Dr M.J. Smale Editing: Verona Smith, Lesley Rochat Proof-reader: Pat Coles Design and Layout: Peter Bosman Cover Design: Peter Bosman Cartoons: Adam Carnegie Illustrations: Adam Carnegie, Bonnie Davidson (24 Hour Timeline), Printing: Onyx Press Copyright © Save Our Seas Foundation M-Sea Programme First published 2005 Copyright © illustrations: Save Our Seas Foundation M-Sea Programme, with the exception of p33: reprinted with permission of Liz Day & Anne Westoby, EnviroKids magazine Vol. 25(4) 2004, p3. Cover Photographs (Front, clockwise from top left): courtesy WildAid/Bruce McCoubrey, courtesy Ocean Conservancy, David Richardson, David Japp, Geoff Spiby ([email protected]), Geoff Spiby, Marc Montocchio (www.hydraulicphoto.com), Geoff Spiby. (Back, clockwise from top left): courtesy Ocean Conservancy, Malcolm Smale, David Richardson, Chris Fallows (apexpredators.com), Peter Pinnock ([email protected]), Peter Pinnock, Geoff Spiby, Peter Pinnock. Copyright Notice Text and illustrations in this book may be reproduced COPYRIGHT FREE by educators. If the material is reproduced in booklet or published form please write to AfriOceans Conservation Alliance for permission. Copyright of photos is as per credited photographer. Although the Teacher Handbook has been a collaborative project, writing of the book has largely been my task. If there are any errors or inconsistencies, I take full responsibility. The current book will be updated and expanded upon in due course and I look forward to addressing any corrections. I would like to express my gratitude to all the special people who contributed to the book in different ways and thus helped to make it a reality. LESLEY ROCHAT Save Our Seas Foundation M-Sea Programme Director The Save Our Seas Foundation M-Sea Programme is endorsed by the World Conservation Union Shark Specialist Group (IUCN SSG). INTRODUCTION harks are in deep trouble – more than 100 million sharks, rays and skates are killed every year by the greatest predator on Earth – man! The Svoracious, international fishing industry, negative media, and public misperceptions are driving sharks towards extinction. If sharks are to survive globally, they need all the help they can get! For the above reasons, the Save Our Seas Foundation Maxine, Science, Education and Awareness Programme (M-Sea) was initiated. Maxine, a Sharks – Teacher Handbook Sharks – Teacher raggedtooth shark, with an extraordinary true-life story that encapsulates the plight of sharks worldwide, inspired this exciting shark conservation programme. 3 The Teacher Handbook is an integral part of this broad-reaching programme that consists of a science research project, an educational and awareness campaign and documentary films. By using Maxine as the icon for the programme, and particularly for this book, we are able to draw the attention of children to the problems of overfishing, environmental degradation and the challenges of learning to use the ocean’s living resources in ways that are sustainable. Through Maxine, it is possible to explain these often-complex topics to children in ways that are compelling and that will result in enduring awareness. The book highlights the fact that all life is connected, and the underpinning intent is to provide education and awareness around the vital importance of ocean conservation. We invite you to make use of this fascinating information about one of the most highly evolved, streamlined and simply awesome animals on our planet. The content is bound to excite your learners, and it is easy to include it in your curriculum. Armed with this book and your experience as a teacher, you can make a difference as you guide and influence the hearts and minds of young students to become ambassadors of our oceans, upon which we all depend. ‘As long as there are people who care and take action we can and we will make a difference.’ THE FOUNDER SAVE OUR SEAS FOUNDATION ABOUT THE TEACHER HANDBOOK he Teacher Handbook is divided into 8 chapters The activities cover the entire curriculum and you will find covering different topics related to sharks and the activities for every learning area in the book. However, the Tocean. Each chapter is divided into three parts: idea is not to turn ‘Sharks’ into a full learning programme. Core Knowledge: The Core Knowledge provides you, the Rather, we suggest you use the information and activities teacher, with information about each chapter’s focus. This on sharks in broader learning programmes such as Our information supports the activities that follow, and some Environment; The Sea; Animals; Conservation; Sustainable activities cannot be done without first sharing this Living; Healthy Environment, Healthy Me; and so on. information with the learners. It is therefore important that Teachers in other countries will find that most activities also you work through the Core Knowledge before attempting support their curricula. Although we have selected particular the related activities with your learners. learning areas and suitable learner ages, we understand that Sharks – Teacher Handbook Sharks – Teacher Teacher Guide: Each chapter’s activities are introduced with you know your students best, and as professionals are able to 4 a one-page Teacher Guide. Use these guides to choose your apply the activities to whichever grade/age or learning area activities. They provide a brief description of the activity, its you feel might be appropriate. For this reason please use the purpose, the resources you will need, and how each activity Teacher Guide merely as a guideline. links to South Africa’s Revised National Curriculum Statement for Grades 4-6 (ages 10-12) Intermediate Phase. Get Involved Class Discussion ideas related to the chapter’s content are Finally, it is not necessary to do all the activities; we also included. encourage you to develop your own ideas as you learn Activities: A number of activities for learners follow the more about sharks and the ocean. We would love to hear Teacher Guide. Although the activities have been designed from you and encourage you to give us feedback about the to support the school curriculum for learners aged 10-12, book: what worked for you, what you feel can be improved some activities are also suited to the Senior Phase. upon, suggestions you might have, and any exciting activities you might have developed. To facilitate this, How to Use the Activities please find a Feedback Form at the back of the book, • The actual activity sheets are of two kinds: Teacher which you can fill in and return to us. Instructions on how to conduct the activity, or learner Another way to communicate with us, and with other instructions, which are identifiable by the space provided teachers who are using the book, is via the AOCA website for Learner or Group name and Class. and the Chat Forum link in which you will find the subject: •For easy reference the learning area of each activity is Teacher Handbook – log on to www.aoca.org.za We will indicated at the bottom of the activity sheet. appreciate your feedback, which will assist in future revised •Most activities require no special equipment and are editions of the book. suitable for even poorly resourced schools. Although activity worksheets to be photocopied for learners are Glossary marked with this symbol: ✍, most of these activities For easy reference this section highlights new words that contain instructions or questions that can be dictated. have been used in the Core Knowledge and gives simple • Although it is preferable, it is not necessary to work definitions. The new words are in bold italics in the Core chronologically through the book or to cover all the Knowledge sections. content in order to do the activities of a particular chapter. You can therefore select any chapter and its Useful Extras activities, bearing in mind that the Core Knowledge Website Addresses: Further information can be found
Recommended publications
  • Symmoriiform Sharks from the Pennsylvanian of Nebraska

    Symmoriiform Sharks from the Pennsylvanian of Nebraska

    Acta Geologica Polonica, Vol. 68 (2018), No. 3, pp. 391–401 DOI: 10.1515/agp-2018-0009 Symmoriiform sharks from the Pennsylvanian of Nebraska MICHAŁ GINTER University of Warsaw, Faculty of Geology, Żwirki i Wigury 93, PL-02-089 Warsaw, Poland. E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT: Ginter, M. 2018. Symmoriiform sharks from the Pennsylvanian of Nebraska. Acta Geologica Polonica, 68 (3), 391–401. Warszawa. The Indian Cave Sandstone (Upper Pennsylvanian, Gzhelian) from the area of Peru, Nebraska, USA, has yielded numerous isolated chondrichthyan remains and among them teeth and dermal denticles of the Symmoriiformes Zangerl, 1981. Two tooth-based taxa were identified: a falcatid Denaea saltsmani Ginter and Hansen, 2010, and a new species of Stethacanthus Newberry, 1889, S. concavus sp. nov. In addition, there occur a few long, monocuspid tooth-like denticles, similar to those observed in Cobelodus Zangerl, 1973, probably represent- ing the head cover or the spine-brush complex. A review of the available information on the fossil record of Symmoriiformes has revealed that the group existed from the Late Devonian (Famennian) till the end of the Middle Permian (Capitanian). Key words: Symmoriiformes; Microfossils; Carboniferous; Indian Cave Sandstone; USA Midcontinent. INTRODUCTION size and shape is concerned [compare the thick me- dian cusp, almost a centimetre long, in Stethacanthus The Symmoriiformes (Symmoriida sensu Zan- neilsoni (Traquair, 1898), and the minute, 0.5 mm gerl 1981) are a group of Palaeozoic cladodont sharks wide, multicuspid, comb-like tooth of Denaea wangi sharing several common characters: relatively short Wang, Jin and Wang, 2004; Ginter et al. 2010, figs skulls, large eyes, terminal mouth, epicercal but ex- 58A–C and 61, respectively].
  • NPOA Sharks Booklet.Indd

    NPOA Sharks Booklet.Indd

    National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (NPOA-Sharks) November 2013 South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Private Bag X2, Rogge Bay, 8012 Tel: 021 402 3911 Fax: +27 21 402 3364 www.daff.gov.za Design and Layout: FNP Communications and Gerald van Tonder Photographs courtesy of: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Craig Smith, Charlene da Silva, Rob Tarr Foreword South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone is endowed with a rich variety of marine living South Africa is signatory to the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries – voluntarily agreed to by members of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) – and, as such, is committed to the development and implementation of National Plans of Action (NPOAs) as adopted by the twenty-third session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries in February 1999 and endorsed by the FAO Council in June 1999. Seabirds – aimed at reducing incidental catch and promoting the conservation of seabirds Fisheries and now regularly conducts Ecological Risk Assessments for all the commercial practices. Acknowledging the importance of maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem and the possibility of major detrimental effects due to the disappearance of large predators, South from the list of harvestable species. In accordance with international recommendations, South Africa subsequently banned the landing of a number of susceptible shark species, including oceanic whitetip, silky, thresher and hammerhead sharks. improves monitoring efforts for foreign vessels discharging shark products in its ports. To ensure long-term sustainability of valuable, but biologically limited, shark resources The NPOA-Sharks presented here formalises and streamlines ongoing efforts to improve conservation and management of sharks caught in South African waters.
  • Introduction to Eu External Action

    Introduction to Eu External Action

    UNITED NATIONS UNEP/MED WG.450/Inf.3 UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME MEDITERRANEAN ACTION PLAN 25 June 2018 Original: English Regional Meeting on IMAP Implementation: Best Practices, Gaps and Common Challenges Rome, Italy, 10-12 July 2018 Agenda item 4: Supporting Resource Mobilization for IMAP Implementation A Funding Strategy for the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach in the Mediterranean, with a special emphasis on the implementation needs of the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme in the Southern Mediterranean For environmental and economic reasons, this document is printed in a limited number. Delegates are kindly requested to bring their copies to meetings and not to request additional copies. UNEP/MAP Athens, 2018 A FUNDING STRATEGY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ECOSYSTEM APPROACH IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION NEEDS OF THE INTEGRATED MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME IN THE SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary 2. Introduction: The implementation needs of the Ecosystem Approach in the Mediterranean and the overall objective of the draft Ecosystem Approach Funding Strategy: 2.1. Overall policy framework for Ecosystem Approach in the Mediterranean 2.2. Ecosystem Approach Roadmap under the UN Environment/MAP-Barcelona Convention 2.3. Key implementation needs 3. Specific implementation needs of the Southern Mediterranean Countries: Capacity Assessment of IMAP implementation needs of Southern Mediterranean (EcAp-MEDII project beneficiaries) countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia): 3.1. Algeria 3.2. Egypt 3.3. Israel 3.4. Lebanon 3.5. Libya 3.6. Morocco 3.7. Tunisia 4. Funding opportunities for the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach/IMAP in the Mediterranean under the EU MFF: 4.1.
  • Shark Catch Trends and Effort Reduction in the Beach Protection Program, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa (Elasmobranch Fisheries - Oral)

    Shark Catch Trends and Effort Reduction in the Beach Protection Program, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa (Elasmobranch Fisheries - Oral)

    NOT TO BE CITED WITHOUT PRIOR REFERENCE TO THE AUTHOR(S) Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Serial No. N4746 NAFO SCR Doc. 02/124 SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 2002 Shark Catch Trends and Effort Reduction in the Beach Protection Program, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Elasmobranch Fisheries - Oral) S.F.J. Dudley Natal Sharks Board, P. Bag 2, Umhlanga Rocks, 4320, South Africa E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Shark nets have been set off the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, since 1952, to minimise risk of shark attack. Reliable catch data for each of the 14 shark species commonly caught are available from 1978 only. The nets fish in fixed localities very close to shore and there is an absence of fisheries independent data for most species. There is uncertainty about factors such as localised stock depletion and philopatry. Catch rates of seven species show a significant decline, but this figure drops to four with the exclusion of the confounding effects of the annual sardine run. Of the four, two are caught in very low numbers (Java Carcharhinus amboinensis and great hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran) and it is probable that any decline in population size reflects either local depletion or additional exploitation elsewhere. The other two species (blacktip C. limbatus and scalloped hammerhead S. lewini) are caught in greater numbers. C. limbatus appears to have been subject to local depletion. Newborn S. lewini are captured by prawn trawlers and discarded, mostly dead, adding to pressure on this species. As a precautionary measure, and in the absence of clarity on the question of stock depletion, in September 1999 a process of reducing the number of nets per installation was begun, with a view to reducing catches.
  • Climate-Driven Deoxygenation Elevates Fishing Vulnerability for The

    Climate-Driven Deoxygenation Elevates Fishing Vulnerability for The

    RESEARCH ARTICLE Climate-driven deoxygenation elevates fishing vulnerability for the ocean’s widest ranging shark Marisa Vedor1,2, Nuno Queiroz1,3†*, Gonzalo Mucientes1,4, Ana Couto1, Ivo da Costa1, Anto´ nio dos Santos1, Frederic Vandeperre5,6,7, Jorge Fontes5,7, Pedro Afonso5,7, Rui Rosa2, Nicolas E Humphries3, David W Sims3,8,9†* 1CIBIO/InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agra´rio de Vaira˜ o, Vaira˜ o, Portugal; 2MARE, Laborato´rio Marı´timo da Guia, Faculdade de Cieˆncias da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo, Cascais, Portugal; 3Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, United Kingdom; 4Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientı´ficas (IIM-CSIC), Vigo, Spain; 5IMAR – Institute of Marine Research, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Ac¸ores, Horta, Portugal; 6MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Cieˆncias da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; 7Okeanos - Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Universidade dos Ac¸ores, Horta, Portugal; 8Centre for Biological Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; 9Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, Waterfront Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom *For correspondence: [email protected] (NQ); Abstract Climate-driven expansions of ocean hypoxic zones are predicted to concentrate [email protected] (DWS) pelagic fish in oxygenated surface layers, but how expanding hypoxia and fisheries will interact to affect threatened pelagic sharks remains unknown. Here, analysis of satellite-tracked blue sharks †These authors contributed equally to this work and environmental modelling in the eastern tropical Atlantic oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) shows shark maximum dive depths decreased due to combined effects of decreasing dissolved oxygen Competing interests: The (DO) at depth, high sea surface temperatures, and increased surface-layer net primary production.
  • Geological Survey of Ohio

    Geological Survey of Ohio

    GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF OHIO. VOL. I.—PART II. PALÆONTOLOGY. SECTION II. DESCRIPTIONS OF FOSSIL FISHES. BY J. S. NEWBERRY. Digital version copyrighted ©2012 by Don Chesnut. THE CLASSIFICATION AND GEOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF OUR FOSSIL FISHES. So little is generally known in regard to American fossil fishes, that I have thought the notes which I now give upon some of them would be more interesting and intelligible if those into whose hands they will fall could have a more comprehensive view of this branch of palæontology than they afford. I shall therefore preface the descriptions which follow with a few words on the geological distribution of our Palæozoic fishes, and on the relations which they sustain to fossil forms found in other countries, and to living fishes. This seems the more necessary, as no summary of what is known of our fossil fishes has ever been given, and the literature of the subject is so scattered through scientific journals and the proceedings of learned societies, as to be practically inaccessible to most of those who will be readers of this report. I. THE ZOOLOGICAL RELATIONS OF OUR FOSSIL FISHES. To the common observer, the class of Fishes seems to be well defined and quite distin ct from all the other groups o f vertebrate animals; but the comparative anatomist finds in certain unusual and aberrant forms peculiarities of structure which link the Fishes to the Invertebrates below and Amphibians above, in such a way as to render it difficult, if not impossible, to draw the lines sharply between these great groups.
  • Chondrichthyan Fauna of the Frasnian–Famennian Boundary Beds in Poland

    Chondrichthyan Fauna of the Frasnian–Famennian Boundary Beds in Poland

    Chondrichthyan fauna of the Frasnian–Famennian boundary beds in Poland MICHAŁ GINTER Michał Ginter. 2002. Chondrichthyan fauna of the Frasnian–Famennian boundary beds in Poland. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 47 (2): 329–338. New chondrichthyan microremains from several Frasnian–Famennian sections in the Holy Cross Mountains and Dębnik area (Southern Poland) are investigated and compared to previous data. The reaction of different groups of chondrichthyans to environmental changes during the Kellwasser Event is analysed. Following the extinction of phoebodont sharks of Phoebodus bifurcatus group before the end of the Frasnian, only two chondrichthyan species, viz. Protacrodus vetustus Jaekel, 1921 and Stethacanthus resistens sp. nov. (possibly closely related to “Cladodus” wildungensis Jaekel, 1921), occur in the upper part of Frasnian Palmatolepis linguiformis conodont Zone and persist into the Famennian. Global cooling is considered a possible cause of the extinction of Frasnian subtropical phoe− bodonts on Laurussian margins. Key words: Chondrichthyes, Kellwasser Event, Devonian, Poland. Michał Ginter [[email protected]], Instytut Geologii Podstawowej, Uniwersytet Warszawski, Żwirki i Wigury 93, PL−02−089 Warszawa, Poland. Introduction Characteristics of the localities Chondrichthyan faunas of the late Palmatolepis linguiformis Three sections spanning the Frasnian–Famennian boundary and the Palmatolepis triangularis conodont zones on south− were sampled bed by bed (for location of most samples, see ern Laurussian margins substantially differ from those of the Racka 2000): the middle wall of the Kowala–Wola Quarry in rest of the Frasnian and Famennian. The main difference is the south−western Holy Cross Mts, south of Kielce; an artficial the absence of Phoebodus, a typical Mid− to Late Devonian trench on the eastern bank of Łagowica River, between the vil− pelagic, shelf dwelling shark (Ginter and Ivanov 1992).
  • Science for Sustainable Marine Bioresources

    Science for Sustainable Marine Bioresources

    - SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE MARINE BIORESOURCES A report for the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Department of Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Scottish Executive for Environment and Rural Affairs (SEERAD) Manuel Barange GLOBEC International Project Office Plymouth Marine Laboratory Prospect Place Plymouth PL1 3DH [email protected] May 2005 CONTENTS Executive Summary page 3 1. Introduction page 5 2. Why a research activity on sustainable Marine Bioresources page 6 2.1. Scientific drivers page 7 2.2. Policy drivers page 8 2.3. Structural drivers page 9 3. State of the research on Marine Bioresources in the UK page 11 4. Principles behind a new research activity page 15 5. A scientific programme for the Marine Ecosystem Research Partnership (MERP) page 18 5.1. Module 1 page 21 5.2. Module 2 page 25 5.3. Module 3 page 29 5.4. Module 4 page 34 5.5. Module 5 page 39 6. Implementation strategy page 41 7. The international context page 45 8. Conclusions page 48 9. Acknowledgements page 49 10. References page 50 11. Appendix page 56 11.1. Appendix 1: Terms of reference page 57 11.2. Appendix 2: Scoping forms page 58 2 Executive Summary The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) commissioned a study to explore the possibility for improvements in the science supporting current and future management needs in the area of Marine Bioresources1. The study was endorsed by English Nature (EN), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Joint National Conservation Committee (JNCC), the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisation (NFFO) and the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development in Northern Ireland (DARDNI).
  • The Great Barrier Reed Marine Parks Shark Control Program

    The Great Barrier Reed Marine Parks Shark Control Program

    Public information package The Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Shark Control Program Associated with application G33288.1 Applicant: State of Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries GPO Box 46 Brisbane QLD 4001 All comments and submissions to: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Assessments and Permissions Team PO Box 1379 Townsville QLD 4810 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-us/consultation Contents Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... 3 The Application ................................................................................................................................... 4 Program apparatus ......................................................................................................................... 4 Nets ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Drumlines ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Servicing apparatus ........................................................................................................................ 5 Proposed apparatus per location/beach within the GBRMPs ......................................................... 6 Management and mitigation strategies ..............................................................................................
  • Save Our Seas Foundation Press

    Save Our Seas Foundation Press

    BREAKING NEWS : 28 AUGUST 2019 1/2 ENDANGERED SHARK AND RAY SPECIES RECEIVE GLOBAL SUPPORT AT CITES CONFERENCE IN GENEVA Geneva, Switzerland – Since August 17, most of the 183 member nations of the Convention on Sharks and rays are essential for the overall health International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild of our oceans, helping to maintain marine ecosystem Fauna and Floras (CITES) have been debating trade balance. The added trade regulations for these regulations for numerous endangered species at species comes at a crucial time. Across their range, their eighteenth Conference of Parties (CoP18). The they have all been declining at alarming rates, with Geneva-based Save Our Seas Foundation (an extinction already taking place in some areas. When organization supporting shark and ray research and shark and ray population disturbances like this take conservation projects across the globe) has been in place it can lead to unforeseen consequences, such attendance throughout the conference alongside as the collapse of fisheries. some of its key project leaders. “The increase in shark and ray Appendix II listings On Sunday, August 25th, a long-awaited victory was from 29 to 47 at this year’s Conference of Parties achieved when Committee 1 of CITES approved demonstrates a stronger willingness from countries Appendix II listings for endangered mako sharks to stand up for the many critically endangered fish (72% Parties voted in favour), all 10 species of species,” explained Aurélie Grospiron, Director of wedgefishes (78% in favour), and six species of giant Communication of Save Our Seas Foundation. guitarfishes (79%). Well-regarded for its strong “Since 2017, we’ve been dedicating more of our benefits, an Appendix II listing is an international resources towards research and conservation ruling aimed at securing legal, sustainable, traceable projects related to shark-like ray species, including international trade, and encourages stronger sawfish, giant guitarfish and wedgefish, because of fisheries regulations across the globe.
  • The Influence of Environmental Variables on the Presence of White

    The Influence of Environmental Variables on the Presence of White

    The Influence of Environmental Variables on the Presence of White Sharks, Carcharodon carcharias at Two Popular Cape Town Bathing Beaches: A Generalized Additive Mixed Model Kay Weltz1*, Alison A. Kock1,2, Henning Winker1, Colin Attwood1, Monwabisi Sikweyiya2 1 Marine Research Institute and Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa, 2 Shark Spotters, Fish Hoek, Cape Town, South Africa Abstract Shark attacks on humans are high profile events which can significantly influence policies related to the coastal zone. A shark warning system in South Africa, Shark Spotters, recorded 378 white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) sightings at two popular beaches, Fish Hoek and Muizenberg, during 3690 six-hour long spotting shifts, during the months September to May 2006 to 2011. The probabilities of shark sightings were related to environmental variables using Binomial Generalized Additive Mixed Models (GAMMs). Sea surface temperature was significant, with the probability of shark sightings increasing rapidly as SST exceeded 14uC and approached a maximum at 18uC, whereafter it remains high. An 8 times (Muizenberg) and 5 times (Fish Hoek) greater likelihood of sighting a shark was predicted at 18uC than at 14uC. Lunar phase was also significant with a prediction of 1.5 times (Muizenberg) and 4 times (Fish Hoek) greater likelihood of a shark sighting at new moon than at full moon. At Fish Hoek, the probability of sighting a shark was 1.6 times higher during the afternoon shift compared to the morning shift, but no diel effect was found at Muizenberg. A significant increase in the number of shark sightings was identified over the last three years, highlighting the need for ongoing research into shark attack mitigation.
  • Copyrighted Material

    Copyrighted Material

    06_250317 part1-3.qxd 12/13/05 7:32 PM Page 15 Phylum Chordata Chordates are placed in the superphylum Deuterostomia. The possible rela- tionships of the chordates and deuterostomes to other metazoans are dis- cussed in Halanych (2004). He restricts the taxon of deuterostomes to the chordates and their proposed immediate sister group, a taxon comprising the hemichordates, echinoderms, and the wormlike Xenoturbella. The phylum Chordata has been used by most recent workers to encompass members of the subphyla Urochordata (tunicates or sea-squirts), Cephalochordata (lancelets), and Craniata (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals). The Cephalochordata and Craniata form a mono- phyletic group (e.g., Cameron et al., 2000; Halanych, 2004). Much disagree- ment exists concerning the interrelationships and classification of the Chordata, and the inclusion of the urochordates as sister to the cephalochor- dates and craniates is not as broadly held as the sister-group relationship of cephalochordates and craniates (Halanych, 2004). Many excitingCOPYRIGHTED fossil finds in recent years MATERIAL reveal what the first fishes may have looked like, and these finds push the fossil record of fishes back into the early Cambrian, far further back than previously known. There is still much difference of opinion on the phylogenetic position of these new Cambrian species, and many new discoveries and changes in early fish systematics may be expected over the next decade. As noted by Halanych (2004), D.-G. (D.) Shu and collaborators have discovered fossil ascidians (e.g., Cheungkongella), cephalochordate-like yunnanozoans (Haikouella and Yunnanozoon), and jaw- less craniates (Myllokunmingia, and its junior synonym Haikouichthys) over the 15 06_250317 part1-3.qxd 12/13/05 7:32 PM Page 16 16 Fishes of the World last few years that push the origins of these three major taxa at least into the Lower Cambrian (approximately 530–540 million years ago).