Episode 90: Megalodon expired a long time ago
Carcharocles megalodon was the largest predatory shark ever that roamed our oceans before it got extinct about 2 to 2.5 million years ago. Beside teeth not much else has been preserved, thus size, relationship to other sharks, biology, and behavior are more speculation than fact. Here, a rundown is given on the most discussed issues when it comes to Meg.
Episode 89: Can you stare down a shark?
Whenever looking into the eyes of a shark, something is happening. Although we can’t fathom yet what that might be but it leads to all kind of reactions from the shark’s side. At this point, we should assume that there is some information transfer that goes beyond the pure picture that a shark gets from our persona. Fact is, looking at a shark keep it at bay.
Episode 88: Do we really still have a chance?
Our society is aware that sharks are in peril and more than just drastic measurements need to be taken to avoid the total collapse of our oceans due to the vanishing of the sharks who control most marine eco systems. So why are the fishing quota still in the tens of millions? Here, I give some reasons why we are still not even close to turn the rudder around, and what measurements likely have to be put in place to prevent the currently non-preventable.
Episode 87: Overfishing of sharks–are we sailing towards total destruction?
The amount of sharks killed each year is beyond comprehension. Although there are ways out of this scenario, no controlling force exists that would be able to monitor all these ships fishing for sharks, legally and illegally. A solution is desperately needed otherwise the ‘day of total marine collapse’ is not a fictive date anymore.
Episode 86: What cancer treatment?
A book entitled “Sharks don’t get cancer” was published in 1992. Although the book made the claim that the pulverized cartilage of shark could cure cancer in humans, none of the cited “research” could be verified. Bottom line, the book was a fraudulent attempt to promote shark cartilage as a cancer treatment. Today, pulverized or in pellet pressed shark cartilage can still be purchased in heath food stores but has to be declared as a food supplement.
Episode 85: Knowing the accuracy of the words one spreads
More and more people join the cause to protect sharks which is essentially a good thing. Unfortunately, less and less people put in the time to make sure what they say is accurate. Erroneous statements hurt the cause.
Episode 84: Nociceptors and the feeling of pain
Nociceptors are receptors to feel pain. Mammals have them, so do fish. It is not yet known if sharks have them or not. Considering the long evolution of sharks, nociceptors or a derivative of them are very likely, despite that some shark experts don’t think so.
Episode 83: How to get started with shark diving
Getting into shark diving can be a bit tricky. Here I describe what to look for in a shark dive, and how to learn to observe these animals.
Episode 82: What’s “eco” in shark diving?
Plenty of shark dive operators around the world claim to support eco tourism. But what would it really entail when claiming such a thing?
Episode 81: Some answers to eye contact with sharks
A few listeners submitted questions to episode 79. Beside answering them, additional subjects are highlighted dealing with the same issue.