There are some wacky ways to fund and support your favorite activity, but this one really takes the cake.  Elbert Starks, 30, of Pearsall Avenue in Freeport, New York was recently charged with stealing a shark for display in his private aquarium.  On December 12, 2008, Starks is alleged to have reached into a display tank located in the Total Aquarium store in Lynbrook, New York, snatching the shark and placing it under his jacket as he exited the store.  On January 2, 2009, while visiting another pet store, he stole a wallet accidentally left in the open by a store clerk.  Three hours later, he used a credit card from the stolen wallet to purchase a green moray eel from Parrots of the World pet center in Rockville Center.  Police used descriptions and information, obtained during these two investigations,  to tighten the net around Mr. Starks.  After obtaining a warrant to search his residence, they found the nurse shark and moray eel in his private display aquariums.  Several other exotic specimens were also found there, but Starks was able to provide purchase receipts for them.  After confiscating the two stolen animals, they were taken to Parrots of the World, where the evidence is being stored.  Mr. Starks was arrested.

How crazy is this?  Putting a shark under your coat?  We will report here if any additional information is published about this pet store thief.

Read Source Story by Zachary Dowdy at Newsday.com

Phil Ellis

Save on Discount Scuba Gear at DiveSports.com

There is nothing more intriguing and exciting than the sight of a large moray eel.  When spotted during the typical warm-water dive, they always seem to draw the divers for a closer look.  I think these amazing creatures capture our interest for a number of reasons;  possibly because of desire to overcome our common fear of snakes and snake-like reptiles, possibly because of their seemingly docile nature despite a vicious appearance, and possibly because of the unique opportunity to get close to large marine animals.  The fascination with moray eels is such that many locations have special dives designed to allow divers to see and interact with these creatures.  Moray eels are a profit center for many dive operations.   “Delivering the eels” is an essential  task  if money is to be made from repeat business with happy customers.  However, in any encounter with any large predators, remember the lesson your mother always taught you: think through everything you do before you do it….and don’t do the things that don’t make sense.

I was doing my morning reading and web surfing and came across a YouTube video that perfectly demonstrates how paying attention to your mother could clearly avoid some pain and misery.  It seems that the divers in the attached video were enjoying the interplay with a large moray eel.  No doubt, some dive operation was collecting a hefty fee for “bringing the divers to the animals”.  In fact, it appears that the group leader was doing the task of “bringing the animals to the divers” by hand feeding the eels and “coaching” them out of their dens.    The result is predictable.  Maybe we can all learn from the painful experience of the diver in this video.  Oh, listen closely to the sound of misery from this poor guy.  Sound travels pretty good under water.

Phil Ellis

Take the Bite Out of  High Prices with DiveSports.com

A Decatur, Alabama Army Staff Sergeant was killed during a bomb explosion in an open market in Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Joshua Rath was only six months from the completion of his one year tour in Afghanistan. This 22 year old is a hero and all who value the contribution he has made will mourn his death. We wish the best to his family and friends and have them in our thoughts at this moment of grief.

Phil Ellis

www.divesports.com

UPDATE:  January 10, 2009 -  The slightly more detailed article expanding on the circumstances surrounding this sad event was posted on the www.whnt.com on January 10.  The text of that article is shown below.

January 10, 2008

Venton Blandin, WHNT Reporter
Email: venton.blandin@whnt.com

The number of those killed serving our country in uniform grows almost every day. One of the latest to make that grim number go up is that of a Decatur man– Army Staff Sergeant Josh Rath. WHNT NewsChannel 19 sat down with the soldier’s family.

Hundreds of pictures. One face. A life gone.

“Now our family will never be complete again,” said the soldier’s mother, Darlene Rath.

Missing from the family is Army Staff Sergeant Josh Rath.

A bomb killed the infantryman two days ago as he patrolled an open market in Afghanistan. The 22 year old left behind the familiar surroundings of Decatur for the Army in 2004. His life came full circle as Army officers arrived at the soldier’s home telling the family their Josh was no longer alive.

“They said they were sorry that they had to inform me that my son was killed,” added Darlene Rath.

Details were limited, but something stood out to the sniper’s mom.

“I was like what time? 7:17, that was…..17 was Josh’s favorite number. It was his birthday,” added Darlene Rath.

Overcome with emotions, Darlene found a positive.

“I said I’m going to take comfort in that 17. 717, he could have said any number to me, but I’m hanging on to every bit of hope I have,” added Darlene Rath.

Staff Sergeant Rath’s father Leroy believes faith is holding his family together. It’s guided them with the loss of his mother, father, brother, and uncle.

Losing his first son…

“This is a whole new level of pain,” said the soldier’s father, Leroy Rath.

Nothing could guide Leroy through the interview. His family became a rock to lean on. All were pulled into hundreds of photos of their favorite soldier.

“This is your graduation. I probably never sent you the pictures I know,” added Darlene Rath.

These photos paint a clear picture of what Josh’s life was like around those he loved. Now, everyone in the pictures are left with memories.

Kim Taylor dated Josh Rath for five years.

“My heart sinks. At first, every time I heard his voice, I would light up. I was so love in with him. The more you heard it, the better you felt. Now, it’s just starting to slowly sink in,” said Kim Taylor, the soldier’s fiance.

They were set to marry once Rath returned from deployment.

Staff Sergeant Josh Rath will return home for the final time in the next few days. He would have turned 23 on January 17

UPDATE: January 13, 2009 - We have just learned some additional details on the funeral arrangements for Staff Sgt. Joshua Rath.  In local news reports, Sgt. Rath’s father has confirmed that the body of this fallen soldier has arrived at Dover Air Force Base.  Family members will fly to Philadelphia on Thursday and will make the drive to meet his son’s body at Dover Air Force base.   They will accompany the body to Huntsville, Alabama on Friday.  The family has planned two viewings to honor Sgt. Rath, the first being on Saturday from 5-8 PM and the second on Sunday from 3-8 PM.  Both will be at the Roseland Memorial Funeral Home in Decatur, Alabama.  The funeral for Sgt. Rath will be on Monday January 19, 2009 at Calvery Assembly of God.  The service will be held at 11AM.

On January 6, 2009, I made a post about the upcoming autopsy of a great white shark at the Auckland Museum.  That post can be found here.  That event has taken place, and the Auckland Museum now has the video of the live stream available.  Now, you need the disposition for these types of things to watch this (it is a little gory), but for those that are interested, you can follow the link below to the video and to the picture folder of this impressive event.

Video of the Great White Shark Autopsy

Phil Ellis

Discount Scuba Gear and More at DiveSports.com

The Auckland Museum will perform a rare autopsy on a 660 pound adolescent great white shark on Thursday. This is an opportunity to learn more about the feeding habits of this feared apex predator.  One thing will make this operation unique; it will be viewed live by about 1,000 members of the public, and will be streamed live on the internet for millions to witness.   Scientists at the museum say this is a unique opportunity to learn more about the very recent past of this shark, including the possibility to recovering stomach contents that will shed light on the recent diet of the animal. “We’re interested in the gut content to see what the shark has eaten – it could be anything from seals, penguins, fish or even whale blubber,” Tom Trnski, marine curator at Auckland Museum, told Times Online, adding that the female’s reproductive organs will also be investigated. Great White sharks are a protected species in New Zealand, but this shark was accidentally killed when she was caught in a fisherman’s commercial nets in Auckland’s Kaipari Harbour.

In recent weeks, there has been much buzz about great white sharks in New Zealand, following the recent news of 51-year-old Brian Guest, who went missing while snorkeling off a beach in Western Australia just after a 14ft great white shark was seen thrashing about in the water where he disappeared. No trace of him has since been found.

We will post follow-up details of this scientific investigation, including video when it is available.

Read More About This at the TimeOnline.com

Phil Ellis

Want to See a  Shark?  Learn to Scuba Dive at Dive Sports!

The Georgia Aquarium is proud to announce the birth of some new babies….12 Spotted Wobbegong Sharks, the third different shark species born at this larger-than-life aquarium.  The twelve new additions to the aquarium each weight about 3 ounces and are about 8 inches in length.  Wobbegong sharks are native to Australian waters and grow to an adult length of about 4 feet.  Wobbegong sharks are ambush predators who lie motionless on the ocean bottom, waiting to ambush their prey.  As they blend in with their rock, sand, and coral surroundings, they create a dangerous surprise for unwary smelt, shrimp, and clams.  The appetite of an adult wobbegong shark is big, and their camouflage makes finding the daily meal quite easy.   The gigantic display tanks at the aquarium will allow visitors to see this unique species in much the way they would live in nature.  Visitors who wish to see the new baby wobbegong sharks at the Georgia Aquaium can visit them during the behind-the-scenes tours offered every day.

Read About the New Wobbegong Sharks Here

The Georgia Aquarium is proving to be one of the south’s most valuable tourist attractions.  Hundreds of thousands of visitors are now able to see amazing sea creatures in an environment that very closely mirrors the natural environment in which the live.  Their programs for education, conservation, and species awareness are unsurpassed at any other facility in the world.  We are lucky to have this facility.

Phil Ellis

Save on Brand-Name Diving Equipment at DiveSports.com

On Tuesday, January 6, 2009, President Bush will continue his committment to preserving marine resources with the official designation of three new areas in the Pacific Ocean as U. S. National Monuments.  This designation will provide national protection to over 195,000 square miles of marine habitat.  This continues the legacy of President Bush as one of the most active Presidents in the area of marine preservation and protection.  The new conservation areas are located in Guam, the Central Pacific Islands, and American Samoa.  The following text is quoted from www.bloomberg.com.

Bush to Create Three Protected Sea Areas in the Pacific Ocean

By Catherine Dodge

Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) — President George W. Bush tomorrow will designate three areas in the Pacific Ocean as U.S. national monuments, giving environmental protections to 195,000 square miles of marine habitat.

The designation will limit fishing and regulate other human intervention in areas that environmentalists said include the deepest canyon on the globe, the most pristine coral reefs and the world’s smallest coral atoll.

The areas to be designated are the Mariana Trench and Islands near Guam; the Central Pacific Islands, about 1,500 miles west of Hawaii; and the Rose Atoll in American Samoa.

The move, applauded by environmental groups, is similar to protections Bush gave in 2006 to 140,000 square miles in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and surrounding waters.

Taken together, the two acts mean Bush “has done more to protect unique areas of the world’s oceans than any other person in history,” said Joshua Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group in Washington.

“While we and others in the conservation community have frequently been at odds with the president on a variety of environmental issues, this is a memorably positive moment for which Mr. Bush should be roundly applauded,” Reichert said.

The areas will receive the “highest levels of conservation,” said James Connaughton chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, on a conference call today with reporters. “These places are exceptionally dynamic when it comes to the marine environment.”

Diane Regas, managing director of the oceans program at the Environmental Defense Fund in New York, said officials at the organization are “absolutely thrilled.”

“This isn’t a last-minute action, this is something that they have been building the local support for and the science for a couple of years,” she said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Catherine Dodge in Washington at Cdodge2@bloomberg.net; Last Updated: January 5, 2009 17:32 EST

Phil Ellis

Buy Brand Name Scuba Equipment at DiveSports.com

Getting kids interested in water fun and the ocean environment is essential if we want to continue to produce scuba divers.  There is no better way to get the young ones jazzed up about the ocean than exposing them to ocean life and the variety of fish found around the world.   A local Nashville, Tennessee business has combined dining and a pleasant exposure to the beauty of the sea with the Aquarium Restaurant at the Opry Mills Mall.  This is part of a larger national chain of restaurants with the same aquarium theme. My interest in the concept was peaked by some reading that resulted in my recent blog post about the same concept restaurant in Guatemala City.  It is great to see that we have this same unique combination right here less than two hours from our store.

Reading through the website for the Aquarium Restaurant, it is clear that they have a great outreach and training program for kids.  With programs like their Marine Biologist for a Day class,  the guided tours of the facility, and the interactive Stingray Reef, this business is the perfect place to combines a short road trip, some good dining, and a great learning experience.  Aquarium Restaurant also caters birthday parties for the kiddies, a great way to combined a celebration and some solid learning.

I encourage everyone to visit the website at www.aquariumrestaurants.com and take a look at the offerings at this unique Nashville, Tennessee enterprise.  During the cold days of winter, what better way to get the kids interested in the wonder of beautiful sea life.  Of course, for the parents, there is always the Dive Lounge for relaxing while the kids play.

Phil Ellis

Learn to Love the Sea at DiveSports.com

We are very close to the end of another year.  It seems like many people are ending this year on a low note.  The housing crisis, the amazing troubles with some of the largest banks in the world, American automobile companies facing bankruptcy, and everyday people finding it harder and harder to make ends meet.  At Dive Sports, we certainly fell the pain.  The economy has been as tough on us as it has on any other business.  Business certainly could have been better though out the year and the Christmas shopping season we have come to count on could have been much better.  Many of you feel the same way about your personal business and finances.

During tough times, we often find it difficult to see our way forward.  The darkest of clouds often obscure any silver lining that might by present.  Tough times make it difficult to focus beyond our own problems, but it is important to look outside ourselves and give thought to what we want for others.  Personally, I would like to just say joy to the world.  No matter who you are, where you live, and what your circumstances, having joy in your life simply makes life better.  In addition to solutions to our own problems, we could also do nothing more meaningful than wising joy to the world.

Merry Christmas from the Staff at DiveSports.com

Phil Ellis

Since our military service people are so important, I guess it is OK to make two posts in a row about how we might express our gratitude for their service.  Over the past couple of days, I have received several emails from people that thanked us for turning them onto the Gratitude Campaign.  Several of them also mentioned the great Budweiser commercial from the Super Bowl.  Anheuser-Bush promised to run this commercial only once, but I will bet you that MILLIONS of people have viewed the video of this great tribute.  You have to admit, it makes you feel sort of good when you view it…and, it is likely to bring a few tears.  Hope you enjoy watching it again.  Personally, I watch it weekly.

Thank you to Anheuser-Bush for choosing to spend your advertising dollars to produce this commercial.   We love it.

Phil Ellis

Gratitude - It Makes You Feel Good