Shark Bro's Footage - NBC Today Show

Some Shark Bros' Think Out Loud Productions footage was used this morning on the NBC Today Show to help tell this bull shark attack story. Our buddies and long-time NBC Correspondent, Kerry Sanders & Producer / Videographer Vince Genova, were recently in town producing this piece about the recent incident. A special shout out to our friend, Dr. Bob Hueter, for reminding Kerry who to call when he needed a little bull shark footage. You'll see Dr. Bob's expertise featured in the piece.

Oh, yeah, on the whole sharks and responsible media reporting topic - another time. And on being surprised that a spearfishermen was bitten while spearfishing - another time, on that, too. Let's just all be happy about a happy ending for a change, ok?

As Always - Keep it W!LD - The Bros

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What Are Your $harks Worth?

After somewhat of a cliffhanger at the recent FWC meeting in Naples, I took some time to digest it all before making the point here. My brother Brooks and I would like to thank Josh Olive, Editor of The Waterline Magazine, for inviting this commentary and opinion. Here's a little background on the article.

Much to the surprise of those in attendance earlier this month at the FWC meeting, a ban on the recreational and commercial harvest of tiger sharks, as well as smooth, scalloped and great hammerhead sharks is still very much undecided by those in power, but it was compelling public testimony from both sides of the issue that made it so. With a scant three minutes of allowable testimony, per speaker, it can be a challenge addressing complex issues like this. Somehow every word has to count. In this case, as the discussion was winding down, the subject veered into areas that I would describe as having divergent relevance. At that point, when all you can do is listen, it can be hard resisting the temptation to scratch a hole in your head.

So here we are again, standing at the crossroads of another important wildlife management issue, here in Florida. Taking the stage and stealing the spotlight, as they often do, are some of our most prized and invaluable marine resources – sharks, and the State's proposal of increased protective measure for 4 key species. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will be slamming the gavel on this matter in November. It’s time to ask the question, “What Are Your $harks Worth?”

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Shark Brothers + Shark Week = Educational Entertainment

Shark Week at the Florida Aquarium to Feature Special Appearance by the Shark Brothers.

Engaging and interactive multi-media presentation leverages purposeful entertainment to inspire and educate.

PRESENTED BY: Wells Fargo

Click on Image to Enlarge

For Immediate Release: 07-21-11

In their presentation, "Sharks - From Fear to Fascination", North Port, Florida residents, Sean and Brooks Paxton, share their personal wildlife interaction experiences and conservation work with sharks and the marine environment.

The Brother’s unique perspective on these animals began in their youth during fishing trips with their grandfathers on the Chesapeake Bay. Then, in 1975, after watching the movie, Jaws, their heightened fascination with sharks would lead them on a path to their current careers in educational entertainment.

In their roles as cameramen and producers, the brothers are directly involved in most of the action they shoot and document, which provides this live presentation with a punctuated array of video footage and photos captured by them during collaborations on historically significant documentary projects, science and research expeditions, pioneering shark-release events and personal adventures.

L-R: Sean Paxton and Brooks Paxton

“It’s a different kind of up-close-and-personal look at sharks that has something for everyone”, says Brooks Paxton. His brother, Sean adds, “It’s hard to believe this is the 24^th season of Shark Week. We can remember the very first one like it was yesterday.” Both agree, “We see an increase in calls and inquiries from the press and media this time of the year so it presents a fine opportunity to capitalize on the heightened round of annual shark awareness created by the Discovery Channel. For us, it’s yet another chance to promote an accurate portrayal of sharks to the public, along with an important message about the need to protect and conserve these Very Important Predators © or V.I.P.’s, as we like to call them. We’re especially proud to be invited by the Florida Aquarium this year to do just that, while helping to launch their 2011-2012 Evening Tide Talks season.”

When
August 3^rd, 2011.
RSVP Required - Please Call 813-273-4568
Complimentary Reception and Meet & Greet at 5:45pm
Presentation at 6:15
Please enter through the Aquarium's Business Entrance

Where
The Florida Aquarium Auditorium located in Downtown Tampa

Admission
FREE

Contact & Additional Information
The Paxton Brothers: 941-416-1788 / 5073, PaxtonBrothers@ThinkOutLoudProductions.com
The Florida Aquarium: (813) 273-4000, FlaQuarium.org

What to Bring
The entire family, a sense of adventure and a camera.

Uncommon Shark Sightings in Gulf

Last month, I posted news of a mako shark caught in Gulf waters well off the coast of Sarasota, FL and juvenile tiger sharks encountered in near shore waters off the same area. Not rare, by any stretch, but welcome signs. Lately, tiger sharks have been a little on the few and far between side here in SW Florida, compared to 20 or so years ago. A white shark was also rumored to have taken a speared Amberjack off the east coast of Florida earlier in the year.

Last Friday, then again yesterday, one of our tournament anglers phoned in a few pics of a species of shark he's been encountering over the last week off SW Florida. They were positively identified as finetooth sharks. In discussing them with Dr. Bob Hueter of Mote's Center for Shark Research, they are uncommon here, unlike the northern Gulf and off the southeast Atlantic coast.

Bob also tipped me off to what is indeed a rare sighting of a basking shark ... basking off a pier in Panama City, FL. Apparently, its been 30 years since another, larger basking shark was seen in the Gulf. In this case, there was a lucky kayaker close by. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.

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TBO.com Report on Mote BP Expedition

More sights & sounds we documented on this expedition to come. In the meantime, our hats off to Dr. Bob Hueter, Director - Mote Center for Shark Research, Jack Morris, Senior Biologist, Jayne Gardiner Ph.D. Student (USF) at the CSR, and the rest of the science party & crew of the Research Vessel Weatherbird II. It was a prized opportunity to work with some of the world's best. Read Article

Mother Nature reminded all of us who was in charge on day 1