A third of the world’s open-water sharks — including the great white and hammerhead — face extinction, according to a conservation survey that singles out overfishing as the main culprit. The survey of 64 species of open-water sharks and rays by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature notes the demand for shark fins, considered a Chinese delicacy, has soared along with income levels in China in the past decade.

Flinders University shark ecologist Charlie Huveneers says the proportion of sharks endangered was higher for the open-water sharks than for sharks in general, mainly because they were large species with slow reproductive rates and were slow to mature. Some, such as the grey nurse, produced only two pups every two years.

“That’s one of the reasons why that species is listed as critically endangered in NSW,” he said. Open-water shark species also lived in areas that were heavily fished and hard to regulate. The report identified the great hammerhead and scalloped hammerhead sharkand the giant devil rays as endangered. The smooth hammerhead, great white, basking and oceanic white-tip sharks are listed as vulnerable as are two species of makos.

Dr Huveneers said fishermen targeted sharks for their fins. The rest of it was discarded. Shark meat can fetch $1-$5 a kilogram, but the fin could bring up to $200 a kilogram. Commercial swordfish and tuna fisherman also caught sharks such as the blue shark and mako shark accidentally. Sharks are important in the ecosystem, especially those at the top of the food chain such as the white, great white and great hammerhead.

Reducing their numbers could prompt an increase in the number of cownose rays, which consumed scallops. “The cascading effect of the decreasing of large sharks has an impact on the whole ecosystem, including humans who work in and benefit from the scallop industry,” he said.

original story from theage.com.au

HORSESHOE BEND – Surfing isn’t an image associated with rivers – especially in Idaho. Kayakers navigating whitewater rapids is much more our style.

Until recently, that is.

Four years ago, Treasure Valley resident Robert Geier turned an idea into a new riversport – bungee surfing.

Using a specialized bungee cord tied to a large rock on shore, river riders float downstream using the river’s current to load up the spring in the bungee cord. Then, as the surfboard (more like a boogie-board) comes to the surface of the water, the bungee retracts, flinging riders across the surface at speeds up to 30 miles an hour.

Geier’s taken his sport to California recently, and despite some general disagreement from surfing purists, said his idea was very well received.

“You don’t need to wait for waves, you’re not at the mercy of the ocean,” Geier noted as one reason for its popularity.

Cascade Raft & Kayak is offering lessons throughout the summer. More demonstrations are also planned, but those dates have not been set.

original story 2news.tv

KRAM TO RELEASE COVER OF RAMONES “BLITZKRIEG BOP”

Quiksilver Launches Product-Line Based On Iconic Ramones Originals In An Agreement With Global Merchandise Label Bravado.

Sydney – Quiksilver, the world’s largest surf company, and one of Australia’s most recognised musicians, Kram, have teamed up to produce a cover of one of Punk Rock’s most recognised songs, the infamous “Blitzkrieg Bop” as originally performed by the Ramones.

The collaboration is a continuation of a relationship that began earlier this year when Kram was invited to play at Quiksilver’s “Pro Show” music festival on the Gold Coast and co-host the hugely popular “Backstage with Hoy” segments that featured on quiksilverpro.com.au<http://www.quiksilverpro.com.au/> during the first event on the 2009 Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Tour.

The Ramones, who are universally regarded as spearheading the punk music revolution of the 70s, chose “Blitzkrieg Bop” as their inaugural release and the song’s opening line, “Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!” became an unforgettable chant that helped define a brand new era in Rock n’ Roll.

Kram’s rendition honours the fast-paced catchiness of the original and sees the talented musician spread his skills across all facets of the song – Kram plays drums, lead guitar, and bass guitar and belts out the vocals with the frenzied, no-fuss intensity all the original band members would be proud of.

The cover of “Blitzkrieg Bop” is supported by a film clip starring Kram, former world champion Aussie surfer Matt Hoy and other members of Quiksilver’s pro surf team. Filmed over two days on Victoria’s rugged South West coast, the clip was produced by Soup Kitchen films and has been described by director Toby Angwin as a hybrid blend of “Dog Town meets Mad Max”. Click HERE<http://www.getmusic.com.au/kram/videos> to watch the video.

A Quiksilver/Ramones product-line, which includes t-shirts with artwork based on iconic Ramones originals has been produced in agreement with the Ramones’ global merchandise licensee, Bravado. The t-shirt product names are inspired by Ramones songs with tees called “Gabba Gabba Hey”, “Blitzkrieg” and “Rockaway”.

A pair of Quiksilver boardshorts featuring Ramones art is also being made available for sale, in black quick-dry fabric with white artwork.

read more at actionsport