Oil Spill May Be Pushing Sharks Toward Fla. Beaches

http://www.aolnews.com/gulf-oil-spill/article/oil-spill-may-be-pushing-sharks-toward-florida-beaches/19513408

Laura Parker
June 11, 2010


"When we see deeper-water sharks this close to shore, it leads me to believe that something is going on," said Robert Hueter, director of the Center for Shark Research at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota. "The tiger shark was still alive, but disoriented and lethargic. That matches what toxicologists tell me are the effects of oil on other invertebrates."

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It is too early to say whether the sharks' appearance in coastal waters is connected with the spill. But Hueter does not see it as a good sign. He calls it a "Hmm moment -- what are we looking at here?"

Marine scientists also have logged recent sightings of sailfish, dolphin fish, mahimahi and other fish in coastal places they normally don't frequent. "Blackfin tuna are being caught by fishermen 10 miles from shore. Mahimahi don't come close to shore. That doesn't happen," Hueter said.

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For instance, research after other spills shows that animals' reproductive rates can be drastically harmed. Within a year after the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska's Prince William Sound, a resident pod of 36 killer whales had lost 40 percent of its population, according to a report by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council. The pod is reproducing today at only 70 percent of the rate of other pods that live permanently in Alaskan waters, the report said.


This is the concern, how long will the affects last for these animals and fish??

More interesting information in the article. http://www.aolnews.com/gulf-oil-spill/article/oil-spill-may-be-pushing-sharks-toward-florida-beaches/19513408

The water must stink a lot worse to the fish in the Gulf. I can bet that their natural instinct is to leave the vicinity and head for cleaner water.

:grr: :cry:


Note: Thank you for providing the info :patriot:

"Oh yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!!!"

as they contemplated all of the Danger! Sharks! Dangerous Sharks! stories they plan on airing.

It is certainly killing the food chain, so there'll be nothing left for them to eat.

This is a crime.

"Went to the still unspoiled Destin beach this morning with my sister Mary. We floated on our air mattresses for about 2 hours under the watchful eyes of a lifeguard. After we got out we said thanks for being our own private lifeguard and he told us he saw 2 big sharks swim under us. He did not warn us because he thought our reaction might cause the sharks to attack. Ya think?????"