#replacefearwithfacts

[elportoshark]

Check out our fun new swag!

Get from us at the beach or via Etsy

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElPortoShark

Tees $40

Long sleeve tees & dresses $50

Sweatshirts $60

More designs/styles to come.

All items are thrifted, vintage, gifted, or otherwise upcycled. Everything has been inspected but there could be a small imperfection (tiny hole, stain, etc.) but completely rad & wearable.

We can take requests too! Let us know if you want a specific color or style and we’ll go pick something for you.

[jannis-world-connection]

Posted @withregram • @sharkguardian Did we get carried away making the last slide? Yes, yes we did. Tell us your tiger shark facts down below! 📸 @shaff_naeem #sharkfactsfriday #finfacts #finfactsfriday #sharkfacts #fascinationoverfear #replacefearwithfacts #finfacts #oceaneducation #oceanschool #powertothepupils #conservation #education #sharkeducation #sharkconservation #discoverprotecteducate #knowledgeispower #homeschooling #virtuallearning #distancelearning #tigershark #tigersharks #welovesharks #saveoursharks #elasmobranch #oceanadventures https://www.instagram.com/p/CKbFOsqBj_Z/?igshid=1aqq542usita1

[typusdata]

Species Profile No. 43: David’s Angelshark (Squatina david) David’s Angelshark is a fairly mysterious shark species! This shark was first scientifically described in 2016, making it a somewhat recent discovery. Females have white spots, while males are darker. They live in soft substrates along the continental slope, making them a coastal species, like many other angel sharks. David’s angelshark is globally listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Since this is a recently described species, their population size is unknown, but they have been caught by longlines, gillnets, and trawls in Venezuela - industries that have grown in that area. For this reason, the IUCN lists the population as declining. The reproduction of this species is unknown, but it is believed to have slow reproduction, similar to other angelsharks. This makes this species especially vulnerable to overfishing. To help support angel sharks, make sure to support @angelsharkproject, the Angel Shark Conservation Network, ElasmoCan, Shark Advocates International, and the Shark Conservation Fund. ••• Big thanks to our Patron, Clay Herber! ••••••••••••••••••••••••• #angelsharkprofiles #shark #sharks #angelshark #davidsangelshark #squatina #diversesharks #sharkeducation #savesharks #savethesharks #helpsavesharks #bycatch #overfishing #stopoverfishing #replacefearwithfacts #stopsharkfinning https://www.instagram.com/p/B3meWBZBRy5/?igshid=1khx1zvbo59do

[angelsunderwater]

24 hrs of pings from the @OCEARCH #sharks Follow them on www.ocearch.org #ReplaceFearwithFacts #LifeisBeautiful #stopfinning #protectWhatYouLove #saveoursharks #marinelife #ocean #loves_underwater #savesharks #sharklife #discoversharks

[ocearchclub-blog]

It's amazing how far and where sharks swim. Check out #ocearch #globalsharktrackerapp to see where some are swimming today! #replacefearwithfacts #friendsofsharks #educate #inspire #enable #conservation

[elportoshark]

Yes, we need Shark PR!

[elportoshark]

Have a look at the waves for a moment

[elportoshark]

Summer Surf! It's time to get out there and get surfing in the Northern Hemisphere summer - check out Apryl's page on Patreon where she's sharing surf tips and shark science!

https://www.patreon.com/elportoshark

[elportoshark]

Sharks and Beachgoers - A Survey

One of our research focus projects is called Shark PR, where we examine the everyday human/shark relationship. We do this to ascertain the best way to communicate the importance of ocean and shark conservation to everyone. By understanding the way humans engage in the ocean and their land-based differences, we are more informed on their motivations for and against ocean conservation.

In Fall 2020 we have a group of volunteers that are examining this relationship for a class project and to bring their experience and minds to our ongoing focus. The volunteers are primarily concentrating on the differences in the ecology of the locations where sharks are sighted and where they are not. 

This research is not an exhaustive look at every shark species, but rather more on larger predators like the great white, mako, and others that are recognizable from a pop culture perspective. However, we do encourage and attempt to collect sightings of leopard sharks, nurse sharks, horn sharks, and others that appear far less sinister to the collective population at large’s psyche. 

We’ve been collecting data, anecdotes, stories, media, case studies, and more on this topic. To us, in order to effectively communicate science, we need to understand those we are communicating with. We find it less effective to create a generic message for all populations and work to tailor our conservation messages in ways that show the ocean’s impact in everyday life whether you live near the coast or not. We’ve found several studies that firmly pave the road between education and conservation.

Please help us by filling out our survey here:

 https://forms.gle/oVi6yNRL4eZzoCRHA

[elportoshark]

Shark Cage Selfie!

[typusdata]

Species Profile No. 30: The Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) The great hammerhead is the largest hammerhead species, usually reaching lengths of 11 feet, with the largest individual measuring a whopping 20 feet long! This species is also one of the most well-known. They eat a wide range of prey, from bony fishes to smaller sharks. Stingrays are one of their favorite foods! Great hammerheads are listed as Endangered. Females breed once every two years, giving birth to 20-40 pups after an 11 month long gestation. While they have large litters, most of the pups are likely eaten by predators, which include larger sharks. Great hammerheads are taken as targets and bycatch, and may be at greater risk than other species because they stick to tropical waters where there are more fisheries. Their fins are very large and high quality, which drives the demand to capture these sharks. They are protected by some finning bans, quotas, and pelagic shark protection plans, but it is unclear how helpful these measures have been to recovering their populations. Their population is still decreasing. As is often the case, the protections that exist for great hammerheads need better enforcement, and more research needs to be done on these incredible sharks. To help endangered sharks like the great hammerhead, please support Shark Advocates International and the IUCN Shark Specialist Group. ••••••••••••••••••••••••• #hammerheadprofiles #shark #sharks #hammerhead #hammerheadshark #greathammerhead #diversesharks #sharkeducation #savesharks #savethesharks #helpsavesharks #bycatch #overfishing #stopoverfishing #replacefearwithfacts #stopsharkfinning https://www.instagram.com/p/BxyhyNoBPdH/?igshid=yv63wid7tgsc

[elportoshark]

Last week during our Eco/Shark Tour we saw lots of dolphins, cormorants, sea lions, and a mako!

[typusdata]

Species Profile No. 41: The African Angelshark (Squatina africana) This isn’t a strictly scientific opinion, but I think that African angelsharks are exceptionally beautiful with their adorable spots! We here at TD may be biased towards sharks with spots in general. But besides that, these sharks are found along the continental shelf, and live in areas that are sandy/muddy at the bottom. They are classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Not a lot seems to be known about their reproduction, but they’re very similar to the Pacific angelshark, which has a generation length of a whopping 23 years! Since angelsharks generally reproduce slowly, it’s not a stretch to assume that the African angelshark is sensitive to overfishing. African angelsharks are caught by several types of fisheries. They seem to mostly be caught as bycatch by prawn trawling fisheries and gillnets. In South Africa, trawling operations often catch juvenile sharks, meaning that the deep waters there could be a nursery area for the species, as could similar deepwater areas where trawling occurs. As is often the case, more information about the rates at which these sharks are caught is needed. They don’t fall under much protection other than living in several Marine Protected Areas. The IUCN has suggested that using Turtle Exclusion Devices, devices used to keep turtles out of trawlers, would benefit this species by reducing the rate of bycatch. To help support angel sharks, make sure to support @angelsharkproject, the Angel Shark Conservation Network, Shark Advocates International, and the Shark Conservation Fund. ••• Big thanks to our Patron, Clay Herber! ••••••••••••••••••••••••• #angelsharkprofiles #shark #sharks #angelshark #africanangelshark #africanwildlife #africa #squatina #diversesharks #sharkeducation #savesharks #savethesharks #helpsavesharks #bycatch #overfishing #stopoverfishing #replacefearwithfacts #stopsharkfinning https://www.instagram.com/p/B1d0U7SBJ6u/?igshid=18dxuwdty72mn

[typusdata]

Species Profile No. 39: The Chilean Angelshark (Squatina armata) Today we’re featuring another incredibly mysterious shark, the Chilean Angelshark. Listed as Data Deficient, the IUCN page of this species states that “nothing is known of its biology.” These sharks don’t seem to be caught very often, but the only fisheries information about them comes from Peru, and nothing is known of their value to fisheries in any other country. While it’s a bit disappointing to make a post with so little information, we want to give you all a chance to learn a little bit about every angel shark species! Learning about how many shark species are poorly understood is also important, as it highlights the pressing need for more shark research. Remember that the best way to support species like the Chilean Angelshark is to donate directly to research groups/funding bodies, such as the Shark Conservation Fund. To help support angel sharks, make sure to support @angelsharkproject, the Angel Shark Conservation Network, Shark Advocates International, and the Shark Conservation Fund. ••• Big thanks to our Patron, Clay Herber! ••••••••••••••••••••••••• #angelsharkprofiles #shark #sharks #angelshark #disparateangelshark #mexicanangelshark #squatina #diversesharks #sharkeducation #savesharks #savethesharks #helpsavesharks #bycatch #overfishing #stopoverfishing #replacefearwithfacts #stopsharkfinning https://www.instagram.com/p/B1WeTk2BW48/?igshid=gvp78lxzq4q7

[typusdata]

Species Profile No. 42: The Pacific Angelshark (Squatina californica) Pacific angelsharks are found in a variety of habitats along the Pacific coast of North America. They tend to prefer soft-bottom habitats, where they can bury themselves in sediment to ambush their prey. They can be found in shallow bays, coral reefs, kelp forests, and even estuaries! Unlike many sharks, they tend to stay in a certain small, set area, rather than traveling wide distances. Pacific angelsharks are globally listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. This species takes a long time to mature and reproduce, usually becoming sexually mature at 8-13 years. Females produce litters with an average of 6 pups once per year. Their population is currently declining. In 1976, California’s halibut fishery began targeting Pacific Angelsharks, fishing them for their meat. This led to an over-exploitation of the species, leading to catch limits in 1986, which was ineffective at recovering the population. A gillnet ban was eventually introduced in 1994, which stopped the California fishery. They are still caught as bycatch by shrimp trawlers in California, and are fished for in Mexico to meet the demand that is no longer being met by the California fishery. The Mexican fisheries are very poorly understood, and more research/management is needed. To help support angel sharks, make sure to support @angelsharkproject, the Angel Shark Conservation Network, Shark Advocates International, and the Shark Conservation Fund. ••• Big thanks to our Patron, Clay Herber! ••••••••••••••••••••••••• #angelsharkprofiles #shark #sharks #angelshark #pacificangelshark #squatina #diversesharks #sharkeducation #savesharks #savethesharks #helpsavesharks #bycatch #overfishing #stopoverfishing #replacefearwithfacts #stopsharkfinning https://www.instagram.com/p/B1otFDEhP-t/?igshid=1vphxt1qq6ns6

[typusdata]

Species Profile No. 32: The Sand Devil (Squatina dumeril) The sand devil is a species of angel shark - pretty contradictory name, I know! This species is also known as the Atlantic Angelshark. They live on the east coast of North America. They’re a bottom-dwelling species, living close to the shore during the spring and summer, but live in much deeper waters during the fall and winter. They catch their prey by settling into sand or mud and ambushing their food! The sand devil is globally listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Females give birth once every two years upon reaching maturity, with a gestation period of 12 months and litters that contain 4-25 pups. While a whole year is a long time to be pregnant, these sharks have a generation length of 8.25 years - which is short for a shark! We’ll be able to see how this compares to some of the more threatened angel sharks as we cover more species later on. Sand devils are sometimes caught as bycatch, but the areas that they inhabit currently aren’t targeted by shrimp trawling fisheries. However, as fisheries expand, sand devils could find themselves at risk due to higher rates of bycatch. The IUCN states that this species is vulnerable to overexploitation. Let’s hope that this species can remain safe from fisheries well into the future! To keep the sand devil safe, make sure to support @angelsharkproject, the Angel Shark Conservation Network, Shark Advocates International, and the IUCN Shark Specialist Group. ••••••••••••••••••••••••• #angelsharkprofiles #shark #sharks #angelshark #sanddevil #sanddevilshark #atlanticangelshark #diversesharks #sharkeducation #savesharks #savethesharks #helpsavesharks #bycatch #overfishing #stopoverfishing #replacefearwithfacts #stopsharkfinning https://www.instagram.com/p/B0EGUHYBUU5/?igshid=1gtslfwlti3d9