Wagamama to remove Mako shark from its menu.

Latest news from the Bite-Back website. Pressure from Bite-Back has seen the removal of Mako shark from Wagamama's menu. It should be noted that Mako shark is not a threatened species.

However when shark appears on menus it gives the impression that eating shark is no problem in today's society. This impression causes big problems for shark populations when 270,000 sharks (both threatened and otherwise) are being killed every day worldwide.

The Bite-Back web site predicts that if shark fishing continues at the current level then potentially twenty species could be extinct by 2017. The impact on the worldwide marine eco-system is unknown.

Executive chef at Wagamama, Adrian McCormack, said: "Working with Bite-Back we were quick to learn and appreciate the possible implications our actions could have. Understanding the issues, we are happy to remove shark from our menu and help set a positive example to our customers and the restaurant industry."

Although it is hard to believe that the UK has any great demand for shark, 3,300 tons of shark meat and fins were consumed in Britain last year.

Now the restaurant chain, with 17 outlets in London, plus Manchester, Bristol, Kingston-upon-Thames, Nottingham, St Albans, Guildford and Glasgow has taken the dish from its menu.

Bite-Back also plans to inform other UK restaurants and retailers in this manner. Click www.bite-back.com for the Bite-Back web site where you can sign a petition.

Giftun island, Red Sea under threat.

Giftun Island off Hurghada is under threat from the development of a huge hotel complex. This could have over 10,000 rooms and 100 luxurious villas.

Giftun Island is a national park island off Hurghada. Campaigners against the development believe the development will have a 'catastrophic' impact on the surrounding environment.

The Red Sea Association for Diving and Water sports and the Hurghada Environmental Protection Association (HEPCA) have set up on-line petitions against the developers proposals.

To sign the petition click www.petitiononline.com/GIFTUN/petition.html.

Mandy-Rae Cruickshank breaks free-dive record

Mandy-Rae Cruickshank the Canadian free-diver has set a new women's world record for the constant ballast discipline. She beat American Tanya Streeter's record of 70m and extended it to 78m.

The constant ballast discipline means that the free-diver has to use only wetsuit, mask, fins and weight. The weights though must be returned to the surface.

Cruickshank is 29 years of age and is both a free-diver and working scuba diver. She works as a sales representative for PADI Canada.

For more information click www.performancefreediving.com.