On Tuesday (Dec 7, 2010) evening at 7PM Dr. Christopher Lowe of Cal State University Long Beach will give a program: Are there really more white sharks off the coast of California? A recent investigation of commercial and recreational fishing data going back to 1930s has indicated that white sharks were incidentally caught in a variety of fisheries in southern California. Gillnet fisheries were responsible for over 90% of the reported incidental capture of white sharks, with a majority of the individuals caught being less than 1 to 3 years old. The near shore gillnet fishery was likely responsible for a decline in the white shark population until the mid 1990s when the use of gillnets were banned in state waters (less than 3 miles for shore) and there was protection for white sharks in CA waters. Since then, reported capture of young white sharks has increased despite significantly lower fishing effort. This suggests that white shark population may be recovering. See www.csulb.edu/web/labs/sharklab for more information.

Chris has been a diver for over 30 years and have logged over 2500 dives. He has been a AAUS research diver since 1989 and was the chair of the OSI Diving Control Board from 2000 until 2009. About ¼ of his research requires diving and has enabled him to dive all over the world (Philippines, Hawaiian Archipelago, Caribbean, Line Islands, Australia, Baja, Bikini Atoll).

The Sea Divers meeting will be held at Round Table Pizza, 4330 Redondo Beach Blvd., (one block east of Hawthorne Blvd. in the Savon Center, Torrance, CA You do not need to be a member to attend.If you plan on ordering dinner it is best to show up a bit early.

• The Sea Divers

• Those darned juvinile GW's! Brad 12:48:16 12/08/10 (0)