Sharks caught off Malta 'not Great Whites'

Paula Thake

Jun 16th 2009, 12:21

I'm not surprised at rumours spreading about Great Whites being caught and not Makos. In my opinion, and here I absolutely agree with Chanel Borg, the Mako as well as the Great White should be protected. Sharks are being wiped out worldwide. The Meditterranean is a discreetly dying sea and more should be done about its protection and conservation. As for shark attacks, (which seem to be the hot topic even though per person killed by a shark 10 million sharks are killed by humans), shark behaviour is not something you can generalise there are many factors that affect it. The best shark biologists haven't drawn the most liable conclusions because its just hard to observe sharks interact with each other or with human beings. There are many things we don't know about these animals but jumping to conclusions which aren't supported by scientific evidence is useless and ridiculous. If you're scared of sharks read about them or read what professionals have to say about them before you penalize. Chanel Borg is thirteen years old and seems to have a broader and more mature opinion on these animals than most people I've encountered

Chanel Borg

Jun 7th 2009, 12:01

@ Josef Micallef
I am a 13 year old girl that know that sharks have existed for hundreds of millions of years, in prehistoric times. Megalodon, was a Great White Shark of today but much larger. This shows that sharks and all the other fish of the sea are the true rulers of the sea as it is their home and territory. We are the intruders when we go into the sea, we are taking the risk. If you don't like them, just don't go to the sea.
About another thing you said before: Sharks mistake surfers with turtles, not seals, even though they hunt seals. They are attracted to movement and when the surfers wave their arms and legs in the water, they're just curious about the object and bite. Their normal bite may look pretty ferocious to you, but when they see that it's not what they think the object was, they let go. I think first one should read the facts, understand them, and think about them first before expressing oneself.

Silvan Azzopardi

Jun 6th 2009, 23:19

@ graziella cavlan

Qoute: Statistical information ...... ' from 2001 to 2007 (7 whole years) in the US - 175 people were killed by dogs and 6 people by sharks'

I presume this is in part because people spend more time walking the roads then swimming in the sea ... (in 7 whole years)

Kevin Cassar

Jun 6th 2009, 21:19

@ Josef.... The KKK was an example but the list of "hate" groups is endless. Politics has nothing to do with me, I rate politicians on almost the same level as I rate fundamentalist religious people and racists. I don't need anyone to tell me what I see with my own eyes. Hate is all around us and there are two main reasons for it - one is money and the other is religion/race. Sharks and other animals may kill a human for food, or in the case of sharks, mistake us for food, but people kill people, animals and they're also close to killing the whole planet as well and they do not do it for survival, but for fun, hate, fear, greed etc. So I remain with my view that people are far more dangerous than any other living thing on earth, but I do not wish for people to be extinct even though the world would benefit from it.

v.pulis

Jun 6th 2009, 19:16

@ Josef Micallef
Quoting
"there are two theories - one that sharks attack people by mistake, the other that shark is a predator and does attack man"
the second example is not a theory it's a fact. Sharks are predators. The mistaken identity theory says that sharks mistake humans forseals, their natural prey .
If you think that by killing all the sharks we would be doing mankind a favour you don't know the first thing about how the ecosystem works. It's like having a chain and you break a link the chain will fall apart. Sharks are playing a very important role in the system. If it weren't for them seals would multiply so much they would become a burden on fish stocks for example. that would ultimately affect you. Finally can you mention which anmals you claim to love please?

Josef Micallef

Jun 6th 2009, 18:59

@ Ramon - I said bluffing to the fact of swimming with great whites - but since over here one cannot decide to which of the two theories re sharks (mistake vs natural instinct killer) he can believe to, I will conclude my comment - that shark has minimally changed over millions of years, while dogs attack man due to pure interference of man - cross breeding, trained for fights, etc - this is as a topic which shall be discussed - the illegal fighting of dogs - which is a big illegal business!

Ramon Vella

Jun 6th 2009, 16:15

@josef micallef

You claimed that Kevin Cassar is bluffing! Unbelievable. You said that you love all animals except sharks, because sharks are a peril to surfers... to mankind almost, and to the seals as well :)

Hope that you are aware that other animals exist on the planet..... i feel ridiculous mentioning them.... but there are loads who have bveen reported and are treatherous to man. Even the so called man's best friend. I assume that there are much more people who have been savaged by dogs than by sharks.

I am not going to elaborate on ethics, its just your sweeping statements and the inconsistent reasoning that forced me to reply. BTW, Hope that by your logic you also 'hate' jellyfish :P

Josef Micallef

Jun 6th 2009, 15:22

@ Kevin - You said you prefer swimming amongst great whites than with someone who thinks like me - then you compared many people swimming in shark infested waters and the KKK - well you failed to mention that only three types of shark are dangerous to humankind, great white being one of them, that these people stay their lives studying sharks before daring into these adventures, and that I don't think like the KKK - you created a fictitious scenario to make your point! well i don't blame you, that's what the political parties (the real sharks) have taught us - twist reality to gain advantage! Also I had just started by saying that I don't mind that fishermen catch all sharks - didn't say they shall go into a pursuit to kill sharks! Human are more dangerous to humans, because there are 6 billion people on earth! to compare numbers, you have to consider %! Finally why have sharks gained all this importance? Just because people like the thrill they see from this ferocious type of animal! There are many other innocent animals becoming extinct who didn't gain all this fame, just cos they don't kill humans!

joanna cavlan

Jun 6th 2009, 15:06

to josef micallef

i am a 10 year old girl and even i know why sharks attack people. they dont want to kill us , they think we are fish or seals. ok maybe you have fear of sharks but fear shows hate and that is not good to show to an animal. do you eat meat or cheese? that comes from animals so even you are eating creatures not only the sharks.

graziella cavlan

Jun 6th 2009, 14:57

Josef here is some statistical information - from 2001 to 2007 (7 whole years) in the US - 175 people were killed by dogs and 6 people by sharks. In the US 652,486 people die annually from heart disease.
With regards to seals, take a look at this link and then tell me if sharks are a threat to seals.
http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/marine_mammals_news/eu_seal_victory_050509.html
We are the problem - humans. How we live and what we eat, effects all around us - you should join us or any ngo and open your mind

graziella cavlan

Jun 6th 2009, 14:57

Josef here is some statistical information - from 2001 to 2007 (7 whole years) in the US - 175 people were killed by dogs and 6 people by sharks. In the US 652,486 people die annually from heart disease.
With regards to seals, take a look at this link and then tell me if sharks are a threat to seals.
http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/marine_mammals_news/eu_seal_victory_050509.html
We are the problem - humans. How we live and what we eat, effects all around us - you should join us or any ngo and open your mind

graziella cavlan

Jun 6th 2009, 14:55

Josef here is some statistical information - from 2001 to 2007 (7 whole years) in the US - 175 people were killed by dogs and 6 people by sharks. In the US 652,486 people die annually from heart disease.
With regards to seals, take a look at this link and then tell me if sharks are a threat to seals.
http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/marine_mammals_news/eu_seal_victory_050509.html
We are the problem - humans. How we live and what we eat, effects all around us - you should join us or any ngo and open your mind

Kevin Cassar

Jun 6th 2009, 12:45

@ Josef Zammit.... Please take the time to not only read the comments but to understand them. I never said that I do in fact swim with Great Whites (even though there are people who do). What I said is that I would be safer with them than with a prejudiced human. Let me give an example to make my point better to understand. There are a lot of people who swim in shark infested waters and only a few are attacked and fewer still are killed. On the other hand if a black person happened to by chance find himself in the middle of a KKK gathering, what would his chances of survival be??? 0% I rest my case.

Josef Micallef

Jun 6th 2009, 11:46

@ Kevin Cassar: You're bluffing - you won't swim with a great white - so please stop the crap!
Did I say Hitler was good?
Someone also mentioned the Bible - I mentioned one of the ethical environmental theories!
@ Andrew Gatt - so we are part of the fodd chain, and we are shark's predator! Every prey his predator, and every predator is a prey!
@ Pulis - there are two theories - one that sharks attack people by mistake, the other that shark is a predator and does attack man - a year ago, a surfer was attacked by 2 sharks together - there are than many shark attacks which don't result in fatality and these are not counted - well I stick to the latter theory (shark attacks humans not by mistake) - can't everyone has his thoughts in this supposedly democratic country, or we all try to be moralists, ethical, good preachers, do-gooders - until it directly affects us?

Kevin Cassar

Jun 6th 2009, 10:47

@ v. pulis.... I agree with your view completely and seeing comments like yours give me hope that there are still humans that can use the matter that fills their heads. I'd like to add one item you missed. Statistically the biggest threat to humans are humans, as the killings of humans by other humans far exceeds the number of humans killed by all the animals and natural disasters put together. So maybe we should follow Josef Micallef's way of thinking and exterminate all humans. Now that would really make us safe!!

Kevin Cassar

Jun 6th 2009, 10:37

@ Josef Micallef..... I tried very hard to refrain from saying this comment but seeing your other comments it's inevitable. The most dangerous to humans are ignorant people who destroy what they can't understand. We have many examples throughout history like Religion - which has killed much more humans than all the wild animals put together, dictators like hitler, racists like the KKK etc. Sorry but I would feel much safer in the ocean with a dozen great whites than with a "human" who thinks your way.

Alsion Bezzina

Jun 6th 2009, 10:30

Once again I'm ashamed to form part of the human species....we just have no respect for anything.....not even ourselves.... we go out there killing, eating and wearing every thing in sight because we think we're superior and have the right to do this.....and we justify it by quoting that part of the bible which says that animals were created for us to survive....well, well....the bible also says : Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. Matthew 10:29 .....so believe me.... he'll notice 3 great sharks have just gone missing!!

Andrew Gatt

Jun 6th 2009, 10:21

@Josef Micallef..........are you for real, dude? 'Cos you have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA about biodiversity, food chains, predator/prey relationships, suatainability, balanced ecosystems etc. etc.

Perhaps you should inform yourself before treating us to nonsense and attitudes that died out decades ago. Or do you also believe that the Earth is flat??!

Mario Debono

Jun 6th 2009, 08:16

They are sold as Mazzola not acciola . . . and besides mazzola are not mako sharks but dogfish.

v.pulis

Jun 6th 2009, 00:59

@Josef micallef
why not make africa safe for innocent humans by killing all the lions buffaloes elephants crocodiles snakes bees...the list is endless. We can also kill all dogs because they sometimes attack people. The sea is not our natural domain and anyone entering it must accept the consequences.Humans are not a shark's natural diet and not all encounters end with a dead person. Man's basic instinct is to destroy that which frightens him. instead of hating sharks why don't you try to undrstand them and you will learn to respect them for the magnificent creatures they are.

Josef Micallef

Jun 5th 2009, 22:43

It is the Deep Ecologist's View, that they sustain that humans have no rights more than animals - more than the Dodo of Australia, or the Snake of Patagonia - but then everyone ignores the fact that the White Race, will soon be extinct, starting from Malta - but no one defends our race - but then some people like you come to defend the shark! some have compared a dog with a shark - I understand that some might mix the terminology of words (kelb vs kelb -il bahar) but let's face it one is man's best friend, the other is man's top enemy! stop crying please! how would you feel if you see a seal being killed for food? or a surfer being attacked by a shark! how is a seal or surfer invading or threatening sharks?

Greg Nowell

Jun 5th 2009, 22:17

Sharklab(Malta) was formed here in Malta in 2008 to research Sharks which pass through and live within the Maltese territorial waters. It is sad that most information comes from fish markets where for the Shark it is too late. There are actually 35 recorded species of true Sharks inhabiting the waters around Malta. The large species only travel through the Mediterranean seasonally.
In these sad times too many Sharks are being removed from our seas and Oceans and we need to act now to preserve these magnificent animals. The Oceans and seas are there home and when we travel on or swim under we should remember that we are guests.
Sharklab, Sharkman's world organisation and Nature Trust along with the Shark Alliance are dedicated to raising awareness and a better understanding of Sharks and pursuing better and stronger protection.
EU Fisheries comissioner joe Borg should make a stand and implement the accepted plan of action for sharks now !! here in Malta and lead by example. We in Malta have protected the Great White, Basking, devil Ray and soon the Angel Shark, but so many more need protection.
We must make a difference before time runs out for them.

Richard Curmi

Jun 5th 2009, 19:58

Josef Micallef, Sharks have been around for over 400 million years, and from the last 55 million they started to evolved to what we know them today. They are the top predator of the food chain,without them the oceans will be thrown in chaos.You really need to go and get some education how the circle of life works.

J.Spiteri

Jun 5th 2009, 19:53

@Joseph Micallef. There are so many animal species that are dangerous to us humans. By invading their habitats, we voluntarily expose ourselves to danger from attack. All animals react instinctively when threatened or when their territory is invaded; it is we humans who must avoid the danger. Are you suggesting that all animals that are dangerous should be exterminated?

graziella cavlan

Jun 5th 2009, 19:45

Josef Micallef, please don't speak that way - it is comments like yours that have brought these sharks to the state they are in. You like all animals, ok, how would you feel if a dog was captured, its legs and tail chopped off, without actually killing it? Just left there to die. How would you feel? Would you feel the same way about a tiger,which attacks more humans than sharks do? Would you be able to eat your dinner, knowing that a cow was brutally murdered so you can enjoy a steak? Would you??? - this is what's happening to sharks every single day and because their face is not cute, not alot of people care. We MUST STOP this brutality. Please change your views:(

Kevin Cassar

Jun 5th 2009, 19:30

@ Josef Micallef.... And is there a bloodless human on the surfboard???? Innocent swimmer??? What do you mean??? The sea is their domain and we "invade it".

Steve M. Eynaud

Jun 5th 2009, 19:04

Even in Australia you are far more likely to be killed by a coconut falling on your head than by a shark.

Josef Micallef

Jun 5th 2009, 18:42

I have seen many documentaries on sharks - some try to defend them by saying that they mistake a surfer with a seal! Then they go on to say that a shark is the best predator in the sea, its senses are the most developed, they can smell blood from a mile or so away! so how they can get confused betweed a surf board which is so solid and flat, with that of a human body? never had understood this theory! but what I am sure I don't mind if sharks get extinct, they do attack humans and they are dangerous for the innocent swimmer! Thank God there are fisherman who catch all sharks! Keep it on guys for the very good work! By the way, I love all animals, just hate sharks!

Sonja Fordham

Jun 5th 2009, 18:09

Shortfin mako sharks are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Vulnerable to extinction on a global scale and Critically Endangered in the Mediterranean, yet there are no Maltese, EU or international limits on catch of this species. For more information on the role of Malta in shark conservation and how you can help, visit www.sharkalliance.org .

adrian aquilina

Jun 5th 2009, 16:24

how sad they killed the sharks..cant we just leave nature alone...its humans that are the cause of a world thats gone wrong.......the cruelist and most ignorant animal.....the truth is without nature and all its animals,insects we would not survive.without us the world would thrive..
its not animals that should be culled

OKsana Consiglio

Jun 5th 2009, 13:46

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortfin_mako
The shortfin mako does have a formidable and foreboding appearance. The ISAF statistics on attacking species of sharks purports that between 1580 and 2007, the shortfin mako has had eight unprovoked attacks on humans with two ending in fatality and twenty boat attacks.

J. Borg

Jun 5th 2009, 13:29

@ Joss Galea,
read my comment again......
as you didn't sniff its objective.

Joe Caruana

Jun 5th 2009, 12:28

we can go swimming as much as we like as long as we have a "pair of strong arms". The sharks will never catch us.

francesca vincenti

Jun 5th 2009, 11:29

How sad... just because they were not Great Whites it makes it okay to capture them?!
Just because they are not protected means it's ok to kill them?! Well done Mepa, go ahead and condone the eradication of all shark species in the Mediterranean by such a brush-off statement like that.! So, I would like to think that you truly do care and have a real ''environmental protection'' system in place and actually follow the recommendations of international authorities on the subject of the protection of ALL sharks and other species, especially in the Mediterranean.

"More than 40 per cent of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean are threatened with extinction, according to a new report. The sea has the highest percentage of threatened sharks and rays in the world, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) says. Dr Alen Soldo of the University of Split in Croatia, an expert on oceanic sharks who helped prepare the figures, said: We are particularly concerned about the porbeagle and mako sharks in the Mediterranean" Telegraph, UK 2007

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3314652/Med-sharks-and-rays-threatened-by-extinction.html

Malta was the first in the Med to protect the Great White. Please continue this trend if you truly care about the future of our sea.

R. Azzopardi

Jun 5th 2009, 10:30

@Andrew Gatt.

You're so right mate.

Alex 'The Sharkman' Buttigieg

Jun 5th 2009, 09:25

This is another sad event that is driving these awesome sharks towards extinction. Over 100 MILLION sharks are being killed every year and many species have declined by up to 99% in the last 10 years.

The Mediterranean is the most dangerous place to be....IF YOU ARE A SHARK!
97% of our sharks have been killed and from those few species that remain, 60% are already endangered.

Last February, The EU Fisheries Commissioner, JOE BORG, published its "Comunity Plan of Action" for shark conservation, and this was agreed to by the member states in april.
Sharkman's World Organization, along with Shark Lab Malta and Nature Trust, form part of the SHARK ALLIANCE and we have been working on these conservation issues for the last 10 years. It is high time that Malta impliments these regulations.

Unlike the Great White Shark, the Basking shark and the recently added Angel Shark, The Mako is not a protected species, but that those not mean that it is not endangered and that it is ok to hunt them down.

Andrew Gatt

Jun 5th 2009, 09:23

Relax, folks! It's the 2-legged sharks you have to watch out for. They live on land, are far more numerous than the marine variety, and so cunning that you never know what's hit you until it's too late!!
;) ;) ;) !

R. Azzopardi

Jun 5th 2009, 09:01

Why all this panic? Sharks have existed for hundreds of millions of years. The sea is their environment not ours. If you think that the sea surrounding our island is teeming with dangerous fish, I seriously suggest taking up scuba diving to see for yourselves. I have dived every week for the past two years and the largest fish I saw was a large tuna. I have logged quite a few dives in which I saw absolutely nothing living worthy of note. Just enjoy the summer. We're in no imminent danger.

Joss Galea

Jun 5th 2009, 08:22

@J Borg
Australia is infested with sharks, and yet it's full of swimming tourists.
Some people use every single article to grumble about the government!!! The sea is theirs and we can't do nothing about it. Like J Zammit said they are critical to the balance of ocean life! P.S. Scary eyes!!!

J Zammit

Jun 4th 2009, 23:52

The shark population is heavily on the decline (side effect - jellyfish increase). They are in fact critical to the balance of life in the ocean.

Worried about being bitten by a shark? It is such a rarity and improbability that more people are killed in a year by donkeys than by sharks.

graziella cavlan

Jun 4th 2009, 22:40

Please everyone, let's not panic! We're are more harm to these creatures than they are to us. Shark attacks are not common news in the Mediterranean, yet the population of the sharks here have been reduced by over 97%. This is what our concern should be. Sharks are needed for a healthy sea, we will suffer consequences if they are driven to extinction and saying that, 60 % of Malta's species of shark is on the IUCN redlist as threatened with extinction. Please don't let these stories change the fact that we need sharks and they need us to protect them. Nature Trust (Malta) is working hard to find ways to reduce the number of sharks caught as by-catch

John D. Farrugia

Jun 4th 2009, 19:39

Makos are cousins of Great Whites; they are fast and ferocious and likes to sneak up on their prey. Which means this shark does not make the most relaxing of swimming companions.

As global warming pushes up water temperatures, we will see more regular sightings of these dreaded, yet magnificent creatures. Only on very rare occasions they are spotted close to shore and it is tragic to read that such kills are not illegal. Sharks are a critical part of the marine ecosystems and although not as beloved as dolphins, such species should be protected.

Cedric Busuttil

Jun 4th 2009, 18:40

For the benefit of our readers, such fish are caught daily, It's just that they does not go reported. Sharks are sold as 'Acciola' at fish markets!! I've been on quite some fishing vessels -- If one knows how to fish for - sharks are easy to hook.

MICHAEL AXISA

Jun 4th 2009, 17:44

besides Great white and this one , the most dangerous shark is called MEPA !!!

Mark Galea

Jun 4th 2009, 17:43

The Great White has triangular, serrated teeth. This is one of its main features that identifies this shark.

v.pulis

Jun 4th 2009, 17:40

The pictures published yesterday in a local newspaper have been doing the rounds on the web for about four years so it's not true that they were caught recently. in fact I have them saved and filed on my PC. as the article says the sharks are mako sharks which together with the porbeagle shark and the great white form the family Lamnidae or mackarel sharks. Although not as dangerous as the great white makos are potentially dangerous especially if hooked. the mako is a favourite game fish because of its great speed.

D. Abdilla

Jun 4th 2009, 17:39

Interesting Summer. First The Portuguese Man O'War now these friendly cute adorable creatures!

Anthony Magri

Jun 4th 2009, 17:36

Confused. It was known that Mepa has to do with land sharks, but not with sea sharks!

J. Borg

Jun 4th 2009, 17:22

And we keep on hatching up tuna pens and fish farms

with all the food that is poured into the sea, in and around such fish farms

It seems that whilst such fish farming activities, are ruining our bays and putting off tourists, they may also be attracting sharks.

One wonders what our authorities prefer ....is it tourists or sharks?

Jurgen Axiaq

Jun 4th 2009, 17:17

"They feed on bony fish including Mackerel, tuna and swordfish." and people???

Steve Rogers

Jun 4th 2009, 17:16

"Three sharks recently caught some 10km off Malta were not Great Whites, the Planning Authority said this afternoon."

Of course, Great White Sharks can only be found working at MEPA! When will the reform start please??

A Anderson

Jun 4th 2009, 17:13

do they feed on people?

:-)