This is the official Wetpixel report on the shark bite that happened in the Bahamas this morning, February 24, 2008 aboard the M/V Shear Water (also mentioned in the press as “Shearwater” and “Sheerwater").

On February, 24, 2008, a 50 year old man was bitten by a shark in the Bahamas while on a shark diving expedition aboard the Shear Water. The man was bitten in the leg by a shark while scuba diving and was reportedly flown via Coast Guard helicopter to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami for treatment, where he passed away. Continue reading for more information.

The Digital Shootout is proud to announce the addition of professional underwater photographer David Fleetham to the workshop staff.  David’s images have been published around the globe, with well over one hundred magazine covers to date.  As a true working pro, David will share his knowledge of underwater imaging through insightful seminars and evening image critiques.  He will also be on hand all week to dive with participants and share his expertise.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a pro!

The Digital Shootout 2008 will be in held Bonaire from June 7-14, 2008. Also on staff is Berkley White, Eric Cheng, Mary Lynn Price, and Dan Baldocchi.

Great art is not created by committees or consensus, but by passionate individuals with vision and desire. The Ferraris’ guide to the art of underwater photography is as personal and as opinionated a book on the subject as you are ever likely to read. And all the better for it.

This book gives us a rare insight into the mindset, dedication and imagination involved in creating magnificent underwater images. Although he always seems keen to modestly deny it, Andrea Ferrari is an excellent underwater photographer. While you may not always agree with his well argued opinions all of us will benefit from reading them. I get the impression that the author does not expect us to agree with him all the time, anyway…

About a week ago, three tiger sharks were landed and killed in Aliwal Shoal, a marine protected area off the coast of South Africa. Marine biologist Thomas Peschak writes in his expedition blog entry:

Tiger sharks are a protected species within the Aliwal MPA as they are the main attraction for thousands of tourists who come from across the world to dive the shoal and see these sharks. One dead tiger shark might fetch a once off payment of no more than $50-100 dollars for the fisherman, but alive that same shark might be worth in excess of $10 000 every year in marine eco-tourism...

Join in with your thoughts in the ongoing forum discussion...

On March 24, 2008, the New York Underwater Photographic Society (NYUPS) will present a special evening with underwater photographer David Doubilet and “Hidden Corners of Our Water Planet.” The event will be held at the Bleecker Theatre in New York from 6:30PM-10PM.

NYUPS says “[Doubilet’s] iconic images have graced the pages of National Geographic and many other publications since 1971,” and he is a member of the Royal Photographic Society and International Diving Hall of Fame. Space is limited, so RSVP as soon as possible to guarantee a spot!

Aquatica has sent us photos of a preproduction model of their new housing for the Nikon D3 dSLR.

The Aquatica D3 is compatible with the new Nikkor 14-24 and features built-in remote trigger capability, access to the Live View feature, and a new “Port locking mechanism...[giving] photographs the added piece of mind of knowing their ports are securely mounted.”

The aluminum housing is rated to 300 ft and weighs only 8lb. Continue for the full press release…

Andy Sallmon, an underwater photographer and supporter of Jim Abernethy, wrote to Shark Diver after seeing their blog posts that state erroneously that Markus Groh died at Tiger Beach. The implication in their series of posts is that 1) the incident happened at Tiger Beach, 2) the diver died at Tiger Beach, and 3) there might have been a tiger shark involved.  In the articles, they use a photo in blue water of a diver surrounded by sharks, and photos of tiger sharks.

Continue reading for full correspondence, including Shark Diver’s dismissive (and anonymous) reply. “This is just a blog,” they write.

If you support Jim Abernethy and cageless shark diving in the Bahamas, please sign the petition to the Bahamas Diving Association:

Excerpt: We represent a cross-section of divers, conservationists, shark enthusiasts, scientists, and professional photographers and filmmakers who strongly support conscientious and responsible cageless shark diving operations including Jim Abernethy’s Scuba Adventures in the Bahamas. Such operators have allowed tens of thousands of divers to safely go beyond the constraints of cages and experience compelling shark interactions… [sign the petition] [see who has signed]

You can also leave a testimonial about Markus Groh, Jim Abernethy, or the Shear Water. We also have a list of other things you can do to help!

The Shark Angels, a team of engaging, young conservationists, were recently out on a shark expedition with Jim Abernethy aboard the Shear Water, and have issued a statement about yesterday’s tragic shark bite in the Bahamas.

The Angels include Kim McCoy, Executive Director of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Julie Andersen, Director of Shark Savers, and Alison Kock, Marine Biologist with Save Our Seas Foundation. Also on the Shear Water was Rob Stewart, director of the award-winning documentary, Sharkwater.  Continue reading to see their full statement.

When it comes to Great White sharks, there are few ambivalent opinions. Whether its the diver next to you or the guy from Oklahoma who has never seen the ocean, we are either repulsed or drawn magnetically towards these enigmatic predators.  Since a minor percentage of people, even divers, ever encounter a shark in the wild; the media plays a pivotal role in our perception of the ocean’s apex predators.

As a documentarian who loves to swim with sharks, I have to admit my bias towards Carcharodon carcharias, and after watching the premiere of RTSEA Productions’ film Island of the Great White Sharks at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach CA, I am also guilty of another emotion: absolute envy…