we can only hope one of their arms is at least bitten off all deep blue sea style. that seems a fair trade for these methods. it's too bad they won't use a more humane method to capture and tag them because otherwise it would be pretty cool.

There's something so masturbatory about a line like, "Worst case scenario...people die." Ooooh, how macho. As much as I do think it's admirable to use technology in such a way, I think their methods are horrendous. And the shark is up there like, "Are you fucking kidding me with this?"

Thanks Sharky for once again telling it like it is. Good to see you back thought the H1N1 got you.

Just saw the Chris Fischer on ABC GMA. The guy had a 3 foot hook around his neck and a series of media tag lines that he spat out like a grand-mal cheese dick.

I am pretty unhappy with this made for TV spectacle that features a side show of science and bad things done to white sharks.

Is this really science or a hybrid reality television show?

They just announced that a b-list actor was part of the crew as well, so this really was a planned reality television show in the end with bad things to sharks as a cover.

The Farallones disaster will not go away and will dog these guys for a while. I will also suggest they have probably underestimated the general public's response to hooking white sharks for "science/television ratings."

We have come a long way with sympathy for the devil, and this side show of testosterone, bad media sound bytes, and b-list actors will not go over as planned.

Fischer and Domier are showing a lot of Hubris at a time where they should be showing a lot of Humble Pie.

Let's start the push back for this media extravaganza by demanding verification of the shark they badly mangled last week at the Farallones.

I assume this was not the first time this happened.

Thanks for your job. I love your blog.

Does anyone know, is this the same Chris Fischer of the Offshore Adventures fishing program? I have criticized him in the past for keeping way to many fish, instead of keeping a few and releasing most. He has always had kind of a self-important tone about him.

Just had a wonder around looking at the hoopla on this one, it's a big steamy turdstool floating in a punchbowl-o-fishin-fun.

The Paul Walker Buzz: buzzine.com/2009/08/paul-walker-interview/

Paul Walker's idol is Jacques Cousteau, when it really should be Steve Zissou with no humor, buttloads more testosterone & a total lack of empathy for things large and scary. Just because said babyface has beard stubble and leading roles in plotless movies doesn't make him an expert. Fast & Furious with Fishhooks is not a franchise. Keep stretching your 15 minutes Paul.

As for Chris Fischer aka "Mr.Bad Science meets Hollywood Ego", no it is not the Adventure Fishing guide whose former career dispensing Coke and Pepsi (hmmmm some brand loyalty) would vastly overqualify him for ocean research.

Some excerpts from the authoritative body of ESPN's peer-reviewed 'Medieval' Ichthyology article (at least the title is right-on target): "They dragged the shark back to the boat on an adrenaline high, only to watch it rip away from the three thousand-pound cables they had tied to the chain. ... we had 350 pounds of buoy jammed in its face."

Nice to see these pseudo-scientists / actor wannabes are all about limiting their invasive techniques in a behavioral study. Keep 'jammin' guys. There are even some tasty shots where you can see the blood pooling in the landed sharks undersides.

Oh and there's more:

"There were multiple paths of learning going on. When you're standing there and you pull up to a spot and you throw some blood in the water, it's a totally different vibe of fishing. You're not worried about catching the big one. It's like, 'Let's nobody try to get hurt or killed."

Quite the contradiction to an interview on the Gary Engberg Outdoors blog where he states: “The first thing I did was call my buddies at the IGFA (International Game Fish Association) the world record keeping body, and Salt Water Sportsman magazine and asked them what was the biggest fish ever caught and released alive. Figures were in the 2,000 lb range on recreational tackle. I sent them this picture and they said nothing has been caught and released alive that big. We caught three of them over 4,000 lbs., the three biggest fish ever in history, caught and released alive." I doubt chains woven with rope and tied to barrel drums would qualify you for that record Chris.

There it is in black & white & red, trophy hunting in the name of science with a bit of 'let's defer our costs by selling it to sensationalized television' thrown in for good measure.

Expedition Great White 'Hoax' ! I say we trace this back to its fear mongering, Hollywierd source that started all this ill will towards large predatory animals: "Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!" Dorothy you fucking sadistic bitch!

Just clicking my heels .... uhhhh shell.

An excerpt from the Engberg blog interview: "... , sperm samples taken, ... We're learning so much new science."

Paraphrased: "... and just when you thought we could not possibly insult and degrade these magnificent, majestic, ancient, Devonian Era creatures of penultimate evolutionary design any further ... WE JERK THEM OFF!"

Fuuuuuuuckin Clam

GMF, thanks for the info. A few more questions: I thought I had read that this group refused to release the tracking information on the tagged sharks. Is this because it is suspected that some of the sharks died after the tagging process?

And what is the purpose of involving that talentless hack Paul Walker in this whole adventure? Was Steven Seagal unavailable?

A critical piece in the LA Times:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/11/great-white-shark-research.html

Thanks for the lead, Clammy. Did you read Domeier's comment at the bottom of the page? It's interesting to me just how self-righteous he sounds.

Those guys are braver (or dumber) than I am.

I must say that overall I am really impressed with this blog.It is easy to see that you are passionate about your writing. If only I had your writing ability I look forward to more updates and will be returning.

4yt436

This is my 3rd time I wound up at this site, I guess you guys have good posts... Thanx :)

Great content and very helpful thank and keep up the good work.

I've bookmarked, Dugg, and I joined the RSS subscription. Thanks!