Not just Shark
Pictures: Elasmodiver contains photos of sharks, skates, rays, and
chimaera's from around the world. It began as a simple web based
field guide to help divers find the best places to encounter
different species of sharks and rays but it has slowly evolved into
a much larger project containing information on all aspects of shark
diving and photography. There are now more than a thousand shark
pictures and sections on shark evolution, biology, and
conservation. There is a large library of reviewed shark books, a
constantly outdated shark taxonomy page, a monster list of shark
links, and deeper in the site there are numerous articles and
stories about shark encounters. Elasmodiver is now so difficult to
check for updates, that new information and pictures are listed on
an Elasmodiver Updates Page that can be accessed here:
If you're looking for a
broader range of marine life pictures the following links represent
a new area that contains pictures on other marine organisms and on
marine habitats. This expansion of Elasmodiver is in its first
stages but will eventually include pages on everything from sea
stars to nudibranchs. Creating this portal will take time and for
now it consists of a token offering of fish pictures. Please return
regularly to enjoy the progress.
The
Shark Con is a controversial new documentary from Film Maker Rusty Armstrong
and Shark Diver Magazine Editor Eli Martinez. The film focuses on the
vastly differing opinions of shark fishermen, shark researchers and shark conservation
groups.
After
the release of an intentionally provocative first trailer, the film came
under immediate attack from conservationists and a number of shark dive
operators. Eli, who was already a controversial figure because of his
practice of hand feeding large tiger sharks, was slammed as an enemy of
sharks. The criticism rose to the point where a FaceBook
hate group was temporarily created and someone made a farcical version of
the trailer.
This is
the shark con trailer that caused so much fuss:
Here
is the Shark Con Spoof:
This
is a second trailer that is less controvertial:
Background
In 2006
Rusty was hired to film
Summer of the Sharks a light hearted look at the
world of two shark divers as they traveled around North America filming
sharks. After participating in many conversations with avid shark divers,
conservationists, researchers and fishermen, Rusty noticed that each group
had their own view about the state of shark populations.
Synopsis
The
shark con consists of a series of interviews in which prominent figures
from each faction have a chance to voice their opinions.
Characters
The
fishermen are collectively represented by a colorful character named Captain
Bill who is obviously unhinged. He repeatedly refers to his own 'research'
in which he has ascertained that sharks are not endangered at all. He then
launches into a series of bloodthirsty tales about dispatching sharks.
One
interviewee points out that conservationist's rely on the plight of
sharks to get funding. While this is not in itself a misappropriation of
funds because most conservation groups perform vital work to protect sharks,
it inadvertently raises the question of whether shark conservation groups
are self serving.
Will
it be good or bad for sharks?
The
Shark Con is interesting but confusing. The fishermen lead by Captain Bill
quickly dig their own graves but the movie raises doubt regarding the number
of sharks being killed each year without clearly spelling out that
regardless of the number killed, sharks are in big trouble.
That's
just my opinion after seeing the rough cut so the final movie may be a
little different. I have a short interview about shark photography during
the documentary and I'm good friends with Eli so its impossible for me to be
completely objective but I believe that The Shark Con is not damaging in
itself and is more or less pro-shark.
However, the spin that comes across in the trailer may ultimately be more
detrimental to the cause of shark conservation than the actual film.
The
bottom line
Watch
it before you condemn it and then decide for yourself.
