Great Hammerhead Sharks: Killing for Sport
A large and very pregnant, great hammerhead shark was recently killed by a group of fisherman in Destin Florida, aboard the boat Phoenix. The catch occurred greater than 3 miles offshore so current legislation to protect against this was irrelevant. This shows how ineffective the current protections can be.
Here’s a video of the shark being cut open at the dock and 33 pups removed from her womb. The sharks fins and jaw have already been removed in the video.
Warning: Graphic Content
Great Hammerhead sharks are listed as endangered on the IUCN (International Union on the Conservation of Nature) and currently protected in Florida waters.
Many in the shark community are already aware that these sharks are extremely vulnerable to stress and often die as a result of fighting on a fishing line. This is especially true of pregnant females. Because of this, current research on great hammerheads has changed practice and no longer relies on hook and line to study the animals. The researchers in Bimini are swimming alongside the great hammerheads and using a pole spear in insert tracking tags.
There has been quite a backlash against the fishing boat after they described their trophy on social media pages. The charter boat said that they would have released the shark, but it died in the long battle. This, to me, was an unnecessary death of 34 great hammerhead sharks, currently endangered. If a charter boat is going to go out and fish animals for sport, they should know the impact they are having. They should have known that this hammerhead was extremely unlikely to survive and the line should have been cut immediately.
It’s unfortunate to see an event like this and know that this is a sport, all for a trophy or photo. While commercial fishing efforts have the biggest impact on the current decline of shark populations worldwide, this trophy hunting behavior/sport is even more upsetting.
If you’d like to dive with great hammerhead sharks, sign up with a reputable operator and see the animals swimming healthy and free in the natural environment.
This is beyond stupidity. I hope these people realize what they are causing in our oceans and not only the effect it will have in the ocean but the effect it will cause on land. A healthy land needs a healthy ocean and healthy oceans NEED sharks.
Thanks for the comment Maddi. It’s truly heartbreaking and ironic to think that people consider sharks the mindless killers!
the ones who think its all ok to kill these beautiful creatures are the ones that the planet will take revenge on. one way or another!!!
Agreed Zyryo!
Karma takes no prisoners. These trophy hunters will become trophies themselves down the long road.
Yes Michael! Terrible to see people killing for sport 🙁
Chilling.There are days its sad to be part of the Human Race.Unfortunately being sad does nothing to help stop the madness!!
Very true George….hopefully public awareness will have some impact!
These killers are all primitive red-necks.
I am so hurt by this. I will not watch the video. I work in spirit and will pray to lift the mass mind thoughts of what others may deem as a “trophy”, The time to bring education to all is now. As well, lift the vibration of those who are in need to bring love to our planet earth. Thank you for bringing the awareness of the needless, misunderstood thoughtlessness to those who can help change these mass mind thoughts on our beautiful creatures. Not to mention, their part in the eco system.
Hi Jill. Thanks for reading our blog. This was one of the most heartbreaking stories we covered.
11,000 sharks killed every hour. The sharks need to up there game and start eating the fucking fisherman.