Shark Population

I read this article today about the declining shark population. Hopefully they are declining at our pier!Shark Populations Plummet


The global population of sharks and rays in the high seas has fallen by more than 70% in the last 50 years, according to a study published yesterday. The researchers estimate almost three-quarters of the 31 species of pelagic sharks and rays—those that roam the open ocean—are at risk of extinction, up from one-third in 1980. Overfishing is noted as the primary cause for the decline, with the species not only targeted but often inadvertently caught as bycatch. The smooth hammerhead was the only species to see a population rise.
The researchers surveyed global data for sharks using 57 previous studies and datasets. They estimate the losses could be even deeper, as mass fishing started before population charting began in 1970. It is estimated more than 100 million sharks are killed by humans each year.
The good news? There is evidence of conservation efforts helping some localized populations rebound.

The Gulf Coast, and more specifically the area around the pier seems to be one of those "rebounding areas", unless things have changed greatly in the last year. We would even see them cruising up and down the beach in shallow water when we were surf fishing. Not big sharks, but between 2 and 4 feet long. One of my pomps was taste tested... I didn't need any help in assessing the edibility kog my catch.

Perhaps a year of no feeding has led them to find better haunts.

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Originally Posted by midwestexile

Perhaps a year of no feeding has led them to find better haunts.

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'Tis an ill wind, that blows no good.

Those people the kill 100 million sharks each year are probably the same people that drive SUVs and cause global warming.

Well, I guess I must be inclined to comment. Having spent a relative few years writing plans for the CDC before full retirement(if there is such a thing), I must say that "studies" must be viewed with a jaundiced eye especially when coming out of universities, government think tanks, or commercial organizations. This study done by Canadian and British universities make the observation that these populations have declined over the past seventy years, and while I have no reason to question their integrity(admittedly, I give them more credibility than most liberal arts American universities), I have to ask: Just who was counting sharks in the 1950's?
It's quite obvious these folks don't fish in salt water.
Just sayin'.

Probably done by the same people who say red snapper are extinct and in need of more restrictions while Cobia are over abundant and open for catching.

NO sharks were seen around the pier opening day that I heard of.
Flipper brought a young'n and they terrorized the shallows for a little while.
Some loons were around too.

That will change as soon as the water warms up menu changes. The sharks just follow their favorite foods, a lot like me.

Sure, there will be some sharks around. Likely even plentiful at times.
But I'm not so sure they will hang around the pier like they would when the 'chum line' was getting their interest.

Pelicans either for that matter.
Some, sure. But not swimming around the platform waiting for scraps.
And not lined up on the rail pooping their lil tails off ;-)

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

Some loons were around too.

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All of us who have been without access have been looney -- no need to get personal.

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Originally Posted by midwestexile

All of us who have been without access have been looney -- no need to get personal.

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Personally, I'm a card carrying member of the Lunatic-Middle-Of-The-Road Party.

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

Sure, there will be some sharks around. Likely even plentiful at times.
But I'm not so sure they will hang around the pier like they would when the 'chum line' was getting their interest.

Pelicans either for that matter.
Some, sure. But not swimming around the platform waiting for scraps.
And not lined up on the rail pooping their lil tails off ;-)

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Reminds me of the time I watched a guy hustle to grab an open spot on the rail next to one of the lights- he didn't realize that it was an open spot for a reason. There was a pelican on the overhead light that was, well lets just say he was regular. The guy found out a few minutes later why that spot was vacant. I did try to warn him, but he didn't believe me.

Not me! I'm nuttier than a rat in a tin outhouse. Not ta switch gears but the other day I took a good look at the section on the pier that isnt finished and it looks like it's really close to being completed. Just boards to be installed, etc. Think their dragging their feet. Looks that way.

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Originally Posted by dasarge1953

Not me! I'm nuttier than a rat in a tin outhouse. Not ta switch gears but the other day I took a good look at the section on the pier that isnt finished and it looks like it's really close to being completed. Just boards to be installed, etc. Think their dragging their feet. Looks that way.

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If I had to guess, I would bet that there is structural damage under water (maybe just on one or two piles) and they couldn't get an Engineer to sign off on using that part. I would also bet we could fish out there till the cows come home without anybody suffering, but that ain't the way that kind of business is done.

If it were mine to say there would be a temporary walkway to the octi being built right now, but it ain't mine.

LOL - To what gain would the park system "drag their feet" in reopening what they can, when they can?

Imagine the blowback IF they were to reopen that last 175 feet ('compromised section'), and it collapses while 200 or so people are out there on it while fishing next month, or April, or May?
Plus, depending on what the engineers determine, the park still has to come up with the funding.

Most assuredly, EVERYONE wants to get back out on the octi as soon (and safely) as possible...

Go out and look at the left hand run of concrete on that blocked off section. It’s most likely not supposed to be kinked like that. The “what if’s” that Mr. Thornton are talking about would be the end of pier fishing for our lifetimes if that happened. That is if your actual lifetime didn’t end in that event.

I investigated deeper into this yesterday by contacting a guy in Montgomery. (please don't ask ;-)

And as expected, a LOT has been going on that we have not been seeing or hearing about.
The damage assessment was completed some time ago: at least 9 pilings were 'broken off' in the 210 foot collapsed section.
These will have to be replaced as part of the rebuilding plan.
That damage is similar to what happened in hurricanes Gustav and Ike in Aug/Sept 2008, which delayed the opening of the pier for over 8 months (back to July of 2009).
A repair plan has been submitted to the engineering firm that did the original design to see if alterations are needed in the design.

The current holdups are: getting permits and getting funding.
Let's hope NOAA and FEMA are in a better mood this year, and this hurricane season is MUCH less active!
So, PLEASE be patient! We all know how these details take time to be resolved and the plan gain momentum.

Bottom line is: things have been progressing, but it will still be several months before we hear anything (official) about what the plan and schedule will be.
And just because we don't see equipment on the pier doesn't mean 'nothing' is being done to fix it...

Looking on the brighter side, at least sharks have not been a problem on the pier so far this year ;-) lol