Sharks from Malta

Central Mediterranean	Malta
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GREAT WHITE SHARK & BASKING SHARK PROTECTED IN MALTA

ONE OF MY DREAMS COMES TRUE !!!

It was in 1997 that I first had a meeting with the The Hon. Minister Dr. Frances Zammit Dimech M.P. and asked him to pass laws to protect some shark species in Malta. He promised me that there will be further discussions.

A year later, I was chosen to be Shark Program Coordinator for MARINE LIFE CARE GROUP {Malta}.

13th. November 1999

After many many months of meetings, discussions and political lobbying, MARINE LIFE CARE GROUP {Malta} has succeeded in getting 2 shark species, THE GREAT WHITE SHARK (Carcharodon carcharias) and THE BASKING SHARK (Cetorhinus maximus) along with THE DEVIL RAY (Mobula mobular), listed as PROTECTED Species here in MALTA. This makes this Island the FIRST in all of EUROPE to protect the GREAT WHITE SHARK. These 3 species which are listed as endangered, cannot be fished or hunted any longer.

Here is part of the Legal Notice issued two months ago. I could not share this news with any one before as any objections would have meant a delay or total cancellation of the laws.These were the longest two months of my life!!

	Legal Notice L.N. 161 of 1999	24th.September 1999
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT
(ACT NO. V OF L-1991)
Flora and Fauna Protection (Amendment) Regulations, 1999
In virtue of the powers vested in him by Sections 32 and 33 of the Environment Protection Act, 1991, the Minister for the Environment has made the following regulations:

	SCHEDULE II
	PROTECTED FAUNA
	ELASMOBRANCHII
Scientific Name	English Name	Maltese Name
Carcharodon carcharias*	Great White Shark*	Kelb il-Bahar
Cetorhinus maximus	Basking Shark	Pixxitonnu
Mobula mobular	Devil Ray	Baqra/ Manta /Raja tal-Qrun
* In the case of these species, members responsible for public security and civil protection may take any necessary steps to ensure that there are no risks for bathers and for any other person in or at sea.

This is only the first step in shark protection and now discussions must continue so as to make guidelines and measures that protect both Sharks and Humans from any possible danger. But the biggest hurdle has been overcome.

Let this be a lesson to all....

A FEW PEOPLE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

On my own personal behalf, and that of M.L.C.G. (Malta),

I would like to thank:

The Hon. Minister Dr. Frances Zammit Dimech M.P.
and his Department of Environment.

Mr. Rodney Fox
who has been my lifelong inspiration

and

All those who showed their support in this mission.
{forgive me for not mentioning any names, but I do not
wish to leave anybody out.}

You all have my eternal gratitude and I will never forget this.

THANKS

ALEX "The Sharkman" BUTTIGIEG
Shark Program Coordinator
Marine Life Care Group
Malta.

Optical Illusion or beauty of Nature?

In July 2004, I noticed this rock formation at Comino.
What does it look like?
Compare these two photos and you will see.
Shark Spy Hopping

Since than, this has now become
"Shark Rock".

Do Not Believe Everything You See!!


White Shark seen near Gozo and Comino!!! Click here for the TRUE STORY

Although Big Sharks have been caught around the Maltese Islands, there are only 2 recorded incidents and the last one was in 1956.

1st. JUNE 2005

(click image for more pictures)

This Shortfin Mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) was caught some 30 miles out from Cirkewwa, on the West coast of Malta. It was approx. 4 metres big and weighed about 400 kilos.

Considering that a specimen of this size is very rare, and that these sharks are listed by the I.U.C.N. as an endangered species, this catch is a truly sad event.

Steps should be taken to protect not only the Mako shark, but also all endangered species.

JULY 2000

Thresher 2000

This sad photo shows
a 4.4 mt. female Thresher Shark {Alopias vulpinus}
caught 35 miles south west of Gozo.


But in July 1998 a team of B.B.C journalists, discovered that there existed other photos taken by a local newspaper reporter. Copies of these photos were obtained and after some scientific tests and studies were done on them, the truth came out. This Great White could not have been more than 5.3 mtrs.!!!! Here are the Photos.




EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY..... WELL THESE FIVE SURE DID !!

FOSSIL "MEGALODON" TEETH FROM MALTA

7.5 x 10 cm.	6 x 9 cm.

The "Gem" of the Collection: 10 x 13 cm.

Order HEXANCHIFORMES : Cowsharks

HEXANCHIDAE - Six & Seven gilled Sharks

Heptranchias perlo - Sharpnose seven-gill shark
Hexanchus griseus - Bluntnose six-gill shark

Order SQUALIFORMES : Dogfish sharks

ECHINORHINIDAE - Bramble sharks

Echinorhinus brucus - Bramble shark

CENTROPHORIDAE - Gulper sharks

Centrophorus granulosus - Gulper shark
Centrophorus uyato - Little gulper shark
Centroscymnus coelopis - Portuguese dogfish

DALATIINAE - Kitefin sharks

Dalatias licha - Kitefin shark

ETMOPTERINAE - Lantern sharks

Etmopterus spinax - Velvet-belly shark

SOMNIOSIDAE - Sleeper sharks

Somniosus rostratus - Little sleeper shark

SQUALIDAE - Dogfish sharks

Squalus acanthias - Piked dogfish
Squalus blainvillei - Longnose spurdog

OXYNOTIDAE - Roughsharks

Oxynotus centrina - Angular roughshark

Order SQUATINIFORMES: Angelsharks

SQUATINIDAE - Angelsharks

Squatina squatina - Angelshark
Squatina oculata - Smoothback angelshark

Order LAMNIFORMES: Mackerel sharks

ODONTASPIDIDAE - Sandtiger sharks

Carcharias taurus - Sandtiger or Grey nurse shark
Odontaspis ferox - Smalltooth sandtiger

CETORHINIDAE - Basking Sharks

Cetorhinus maximus - Basking shark

LAMNIDAE - Mackerel sharks

Carcharodon carcharias - Great white shark
Isurus oxyrinchus - Shortfin mako
Lamna nasus - Porbeagle

ALOPIIDAE - Thresher sharks

Alopias vulpinus - Thresher shark
Alopias superciliosus - Bigeye thresher shark

Order CARCHARHINIFORMES: Ground sharks

SCYLIORHINIDAE - Catsharks

Galeus melastomus - Blackmouth catshark
Scyliorhinus canicula - Smallspotted catshark
Scyliorhinus stellaris - Nursehound

TRIAKIDAE - Houndsharks

Galeorhinus galeus - Tope or Schoolshark
Mustelus asterias - Starry smoothhound
Mustelus mustelus - Smoothhound
Mustelus punctulatus - Blackspot smoothhound

CARCHARHINIDAE - Requiem sharks

Carcharhinus brevipinna - Spinner shark
Carcharhinus plumbeus - Sandbar shark
Prionace glauca - Blue shark

SPHYRNIDAE - Hammerhead sharks

Sphyrna zygaena - Smooth hammerhead

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