http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/07/130717-sandbar-shark-nantucket-elliot-sudal-surf-fishing/
Monday, August 19, 2013
Sandbar Shark Wrestling?
Most people go to the beach to lay out on the sand, play in the water, maybe do a little bit of surfing... but not Elliot Sudal. When Elliot goes to the Nantucket Island beach near where he lives, he wrestles sharks. That's right. He doesn't fish for them on a boat or pier, he catches them on fishing lines cast straight from the beach, and pulls them onto the shore. He then wrestles them to the sand, takes pictures and then releases them. He says he has done this over 100 times in the last 8 months or so. Some shark advocates worry about the sharks' health. Some sharks need to have water constantly moving over their gills to breath, and some sharks are so sensitive that an encounter like this with a human could cause internal bruising and bleeding, leading to the death of the shark. If this kind of activity becomes more popular, sharks in these areas could be endangered. Although it is not illegal to catch and release sharks, it is against the law to kill sand tiger and sandbar sharks and who knows whether the shark survives after it is released? I think this kind of activity should be against the law. It is unnecessary and pointless and all it does is harm the sharks.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/07/130717-sandbar-shark-nantucket-elliot-sudal-surf-fishing/
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/07/130717-sandbar-shark-nantucket-elliot-sudal-surf-fishing/
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Hannah I think you are a hundred percent right, while his point that “It could be worse, and it is not illegal” is valid it doesn’t give him a right to terrorize those poor sharks. If something catastrophic happened and a shark did bite him, the retaliation by Sudal to get back to shore safely could potentially be life threatening for the shark, and if this situation did occur would their be legal repercussions for killing an endangered species? I think the media’s coverage while getting the issue out there is feeding this man’s ego, and by the video becoming viral it encourages him to still wrestle these sharks. I am so glad you found this article because it brings up a smaller scale environmental issue and shows how we individually impact the environment and how our poor decisions can impact hundreds of lives. I hope legislation is passed to inhibit this activity and that it does not catch on as a popular “sport.”
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Hannah and Alyssa that this behavior is completely unnecessary. "Shark Wrestling" should be against the law to protect both the sharks and people.
ReplyDeleteWow, how has this guy not gotten bit?! He even said in the article that he is "terrified" of being bit, yet he continues to wrestle the sharks! I will admit that it is pretty impressive that he has managed to wrestle one hundred sharks without being injured, but that doesn't mean I think it is a good idea. It is potentially hazardous to these sharks and I am surprised he would take the risk to wrestle them, considering if he accidentally killed one he would be arrested. And not only is it bad for the sharks, it also encourages reckless behavior in other people, which could result in others attempting to wrestle sharks "like that guy in the video" and being harmed. This is why they have to put "Do not try this at home" warnings on aired stunts! Well, I guess people will always do dumb things. I just hope this doesn't spread!
ReplyDeleteHannah I completely agree with your solution and think I should be seen through for the sharks’ safety. Even though it is not illegal does not mean killing an animal’s life is right. Elliot is doing something that could be considered “fun” too many people and it might become something popular to do. If wrestling sharks were to become popular then many sharks in the area would be endangered. I too believe that this kind of behavior should be against the law. Endangering a species can alter an entire ecosystem and cause conflicts in that area. These innocent sharks should not be threatened just because he wants to “feel good” or have fun. This article should bring attention to this problem and help people realize that something wrong is occurring.
ReplyDeleteThough this is pretty messed up unless there is a way to prove quantitatively that he has killed any sharks there is nothing anyone can do. People do more messed up things every day...like skydiving.
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