DU experts on the Gulf of Mexico

[malaise]

How has the BP oil spill and chemicals dumped since affected the shark population.
I noticed lots of sharks on the Florida coast recently and two big ones just showed up in Negril. Neither is common to our coastline.

[Lochloosa]

1. The one's on the Florida coast happen every year. It is Sping here.

:evilgrin:

[jdlh8894]

2. They LOVE those wannabee surfers!!!!!

[malaise]

3. We've had two big ones killed in about three weeks

No one surfs in Negril - no big waves

[Baclava]

8. Why are they killing them?

Fear factor?

[TheMadMonk]

4. It possibly suggests that the waters "out there" are not yet as clean...

...as certain parties would prefer we believe.

Sharks are exquisitely sensitive to the chemical makeup of their surroundings, so I suspect proportionately more sharks than most other species stayed well clear of the contamination (and still do). And now with less space to roam are turning up in greater numbers and unusual places.

[bluestate10]

5. Or the sharks are just following their food like they always do. nt

[FLPanhandle]

6. We got a bit lucky

One of the major breeding grounds for sharks is in the Apalachicola Bay. The oil didn't quite make it that far fortunately. Otherwise it would have almost wiped out a couple of species.

[Baclava]

7. I believe those shark migrations you describe are on the Atlantic side

Happens every spring....


"Thousands of sharks spotted off Palm Beach"



PALM BEACH, Fla. - Pilot Steve Irwin has quite a fish tale, and he wasn't even fishing.

Irwin is a pilot with "Island Marine Services" based in Fort Pierce.

He said he was flying about 100 yards off of Palm Beach, at 80 mph, when he spotted thousands of sharks.

He pulled out his iPhone 4 and began taking pictures. He recorded the spectacular sight and wanted to share it.

This is the time of year when sharks migrate and head for warmer waters. They also typically swim close to the shore while chasing after bait fish."

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/local_news/youreport/thousands-of-sharks-spotted-off-palm-beach