National Geographic Magazine

[it'lldo]

March 2007 issue has a great article on Sharks of the Bahamas. With beautiful images and a caption that I like says-
"Sharks bite fewer people each year than New Yorkers do, yet it's still difficult to win public supprt and dollars"

[it'lldo]

is this even a rant?
No.
I just know that this type of thread has in the past been a no no so when I saw
"not for the faint of heart"
and forgetting the freedom that I am allowed here. I chose this place to post it. The article and pics are very cool though.

[Abacoparrott]

your post would have been fine on the Main Discussion section........I don't think the administrator has a problem with facts......amazing isn't it? Ken:D

[SamFamAustin]

Actually, there is a very good discussion about the policies regarding Bimini, the sharks, and devlopment in that area. Tiger sharks appear to like to release their pups in the Bimini backwaters, and with 5 marinas scheduled to be constructed, their critical nursery area could be compromised. Initially, the Bahamian government agreed to block those wetland marinas.

Then ... the new government apparently over-turned that judgment and decided development was OK. The shark-dude mentioned in the article that he was not very pleased. The local offered something like "the Bahamian government is new, and sometimes we make mistakes." I am paraphrasing heavily here.

Anyway, Jennifer of the National Geographic wrote a great article, which is online by the way if you want to read it. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, It'll Do! :D
/sammie

[DrRalph]

Laura, your instincts and hesitation are not without justification. A few years ago we were staying at Guana Seaside. I walked into the office to find Bob Sylvester looking at the AMB and shaking his head.

"Last week it was a plane crash, now it's sharks. Almost every time those type of threads show up on that board, we get a cancellation."

I went home and wrote Of Sharks and Plane Crashes (http://www.drralph.net/Sharks_and_Plane_Crashes.html)to try to inject a little rational thinking into the mix, but some folks, usually the inexperienced, can get a little jittery when the "s-word" comes up.

[Cathy Arizona]

Guess it can be compared to Arizona's scorpions and rattlesnakes. A lady in our store mentioned that she didn't know how much time she wanted to spend in our state because of those 2 critters. Yes, we have scorpions and rattlesnakes but I've lived here for over 30 years and have never been bit by either and don't know anyone personally who has, although I've seen a number of them around. My husband spend enormous time out in the desert. Every place has some form of a scary creature, I guess. Just need to be aware and respect their territory. Those who cancel are probably the same people who wouldn't venture to Alaska because there are bears. I'll take my chances with rattlesnakes or sharks before I'd wander some of the streets of Phoenix.

[Bunny]

We spent a weekend at a place in Cedar Key last fall. I got up to use the restroom in the middle of the night, and this little guy crawled across my foot while I was half asleep. I whacked him with a Cosmo, then went back to sleep. Sometimes you just have to deal.

[Noontide]

Whacked it with a Cosmo? Why waste a drink?

[Bunny]

The magazine, dorkbreath, not the drink!:eek:

Miss yah, love yah; Hi Chiquita!!!!

[Mandy]

Dorkbreath, I like that. It applies to several men on this board....

[SamFamAustin]

Scorpions are more related to crawdads then men are to women, I fear ...

[Spagna]

Roughly 50,000 US citizens are killed in traffic accidents every year but that doesn't stop me from driving my car. I used to work in NYC about 4 blocks from the WTC on Maiden Lane. Anyone reading this who is familiar with that area already recognizes the several threats to personal well being in that area. But you learn the rules of the environment and realize tht you are responsible for your own safety. I take the same attitude towards the natural environment as well. In the mountains of NC we have rattlers, black bear, rabid raccoons, cyotes and wild dogs among the natural dangers. We learn about the attitude of potential prey. I love the ocean and never miss a chance to get into it. I have rubbed shoulders with barracuda but give them lots of room. I have snorkled in Guam and P.I. with stone fish, sea snakes and grouper the size of a 1969 Buick Electra 'duce and a quarter'. I learned about them and stayed out of their way. Just as I would not try to cross Broad St. with a NYC taxi barreling toward me at 60mph (oh yea!!!) so I would stay away from the sharks or the things that draw them. Being a US Navy veteran the tragedy of the USS Indianapolis is forever in my mind. I don't fear sharks but I respect them, believe I understand them and I give them a wide berth but It won't keep me from snorkeling, anywhere.

[SamFamAustin]

You got a Public Intoxication ticket with a stonefish? Yipes! :eek:
/sammie

[Abacoparrott]

Dorkbreath, I like that. It applies to several men on this board....

I use reel toofpast ever time I brush my toof.......looks reel purty......Kin:D

[Spagna]

You got a Public Intoxication ticket with a stonefish? Yipes! :eek:
/sammie
Naw....it was just a warning but if I get caught again I do 'hard time'!:rolleyes:

[Spagna]

Going to my boat, Wu-Hsin (Just do It) in Charleston, SC. Need to finish installation of water maker for next year trip to Bahamas. Check you folks out whin I get back 3/9/07.

[DaGoose]

I use reel toofpast ever time I brush my toof.......looks reel purty......Kin:D

...yur purdy funny! Ah'd stop flurtin with that Mandy tho'. She aint yur sister or first cuzzin.

Tina Bob

[Abacoparrott]

I'll qwit flirtin wif Mandy......don't wanna cheet on muh family......kin:D

[DrRalph]

We won't be hearing from Mandy for the rest of the week, she and her boyfriend (Curlytail on the Forum) are up here in Daytona for the week, they won't get back to home and their computer until after Bike Week. I'm guessing she'll have something to share with you by then. She does seem to find Parrott, um, "interesting.":eek:

[Abacoparrott]

at my age I will accept any kind of "description"........from Mandy that is........:D

[SamFamAustin]

Hey Parrot, you'd better get into shape, cause she'll be after you like Richard Simmons working on the big ladies! She prolly is going to borrow DrRalph's Pink Dancing Pole just fer starters, make ya "assume the position," and then make ya put on the dreaded PINK TUTU. Few men have recovered from such treatment, although the Abaconian Shock Procedure (ASP) appears to help. :eek:

Be very afraid ...
sammie

[Abacoparrott]

I hain't worried 'bout Mandy......It's Curlytail I haf to watch out for....hard to outrun a bullet......Mandy will find me to be a sweet, gentle person......ken:D