Sunday Species Snapshot: Daggernose Shark

These small sharks pose no threats to humans. The opposite, however, cannot be said.

Species name: Daggernose shark (Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus). Notable for their flattened snouts and relatively large fins, these small (1.5 meter) sharks are the only members of their genus.

Where found: The shallow coastal waters off of northeastern South America, where they predate upon schools of small fish.

IUCN Red List status: Critically endangered

Major threat: Overfishing, although most fishermen aren’t targeting these sharks directly. Instead the sharks are caught in nets intended for other species. Two studies conducted in one Brazilian state in the 1990s found that daggernose sharks comprised as much as 10 percent of regional fish catches. The rate of fishing combined with the shark’s slow reproductive rate has caused dramatic population declines. A 2002 study found that populations had dropped more than 90 percent over the previous decade.

Notable conservation programs: None that I could find. Heck, I couldn’t even locate a photo of this species or any recent research about it. This critically endangered species could definitely use some targeted aid.

Hark! A Shark!: All About Sharks (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library)

In this latest installment of the Cat in the Hat's Learning Library, the Cat introduces beginning readers to all kinds of sharks! From the smallest (the dwarf lantern) to the largest (the whale shark), the most notorius (the great white) to the most obscure (the goblin), the Cat explains why sharks have lots of teeth but no bones; how their tough skin helps them swim fast and stay clean (inspiring scientists--and bathing suit manufacturers!); how pores along the sides of their bodies help them sense prey; that they have more to fear from us than we do from them, and much, much more! Perfect for shark and Cat (in the Hat) fanciers, fans of the new PBS Kids preschool science show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! will sink their teeth into this new addition to the series! 

Get it here.. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375870733/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375870733&linkCode=as2&tag=besshavid-20

Calvo commits to diversification

After ten years of operations in Central America, the Spanish company Calvo has been successful in positioning its tuna brand as the second most important one in the region, and now aims to diversify its product offerings.

In Costa Rica, in particular, Calvo estimates it has 14.6 per cent of Top of Mind Positioning, according to what El Financiero reported.

But positioning the brand in the Costa Rican market has not been an easy task: it entailed significant losses in the first three years the firm has been operating in this country.

This is added to the strong competition of Alimentos Prosalud, the company that dominates the Costa Rican market with a 70 per cent participation stake with its brands Sardimar and Tesoro del Mar.

However, with its regional plant located in El Salvador operating at one third of its installed capacity of 35,000 tonnes per year, Calvo plans to further strengthen in this area.

The company is first brand in Spain and Brazil, and second in Italy and Central America, and according to its CEO Manuel Calvo, in Costa Rica the firm does not intend to gain further market through the strategy of lowering prices.

"When one sells per price, the trend to lower the quality is usually high," he told the newspaper El Financiero in an interview during a visit to the country.

To Calvo, the most important factors are profitability, brand image, the quality of the products and the commercial image.

"The brands that grow in the food world are those that are committed to quality as the main driver," ensured the executive.

With regards to the tuna consumption in Central America, the Spanish entrepreneur stressed that it is a product that is widely accepted and said he does not see "a limit to consumption in the country or in the region."

Calvo explained that the global strategy of the group is to become a global food company covering other sectors apart from fish. In this regard, he indicated that in Spain they sell prepared dishes with meat and vegetables; and in Brazil, frozen pizza and canned vegetables. "This division represents 15 per cent of our business," he explained.

pics from blue springs class..

blue springs ow-040911

Fun West Palm dives

WEST PALM 04-02-11 Jonathan, Glynn, Carter, Tina, Dan, Sandy, Sandy's Nieces, Big Nurse Shark

Groupon will be featuring Scuba Lessons Inc.!

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