Tiger Sharks Poached off South Africa

[deco_martini]

Since the incidents/accident forum is more about humans, and this isn't about shark physiology, I took a stab at posting this here.

3 Tiger Sharks were poached at Aliwal Shoal off South Africa.
Call for action following SA tiger shark deaths - DIVE Latest News

Conservationists in South Africa have launched a Save Our Sharks campaign, after three large tiger sharks were illegally captured and killed in a protected marine park. The tiger sharks were well known to dive guides at Aliwal Shoal on South Africa's east coast, where tourists come from all over the world to swim with the large predators.

And yes, there were operators doing chum dives with Tigers in that area which made them an easy target.

I have to say, I've been on the fence about the habituation stuff. I didn't really see the harm in the typical reef shark dive or tiger/white dive in a cage. I think my eyes are really opening to the danger shark feeding put sharks in.

 

[fisherdvm]

I've read on this board about members who have noted that sharks in area of feeding like to hang around boats. In the bahamas, I've noted that they like to hang around divers. Certainly can make them more vulnerable to poaching. Especially species which travel far from protected water.

 

[robint]

yes, a shame for sure. I think one of the major reasons that shark feeding was made illegal in Florida was that fishing boats would go to the scuba shark feed sites to catch and kill the sharks!

 

[Garrobo]

Wonder when it will be illegal to take yellow-tails?