Shark Conservation, and the Shark Tagging

Shark Conservation, and the Shark Tagging

Sharks make up for over half the fish found in South American and our southern waters. I have been on a Shark tagging for nearly 12 years now. From Tiger Sharks to tiny slivers of the Bonnets to Dog fish, they have been caught, checked on growth and a tagging release program is put in place. Shark Conservation, and the Shark Tagging programs, along with some safety briefs are obverse. The apex predator, that regulates the Ocean, feel the compassion towards themselves and many of them are part of the shark populations around the world. My program starts at my home, here in South Florida, where some of the largest roam our warm waters. Would love to share mt info with others who are on the hunt .

In a mad dash for open water, the reel screamed out yards per second and all on the deck scrambled to their feet. “Which One! Which one” somebody screamed as the rod, center rail, bounced in rhythms to clicking out line in rhyme to that of poetic justice. Music to a shark fisherman’s ears. Pointing towards the middle rod “This one, it is this one” as all noticed it was that Penn 4/0 and bouncing eight foot rod. Edwin Anderson swiftly picked up the rod and as in a choreographed moment, lifted with a one, two, three jerking moment and it was “FISH ON!”
He must have rehearsed this moment in his head a thousand times, for this was a bang up performance where he was in command of the prey at the other end of the line. Screaming drag, pole at the perfect angle this fish tried to shoot the pier not just once but three times as he pursued this fish vigorously.  Nineteen minutes and a shark appeared under the burning spotlight. That cold deep eye of the shark as it rolled and turned at the side of the pier. A gaff was uncoiled and another Josh lowered the pier gaff as if it were liquid falling from a glass and gracefully allowed it to come at rest atop its dorsal. With lighting like reflexes, he pulled tight in an upward thrust and whoosh a perfect gaff set. I have yet to see one better! All hands on deck and fisherman to tourist alike heaved and hauled this six foot, seven-inch Shark up to and on the boards of the pier. On the line to up and over the rail this shark danced, thrashed and spun like a top on the boards, its no wonder why they get the nickname Spinner Shark.  Edwin tried the line to the hook or “Pullmans Method” to free it from the sharks grip but to no avail. As I applied pressure to the sharks snout, with my foot, as Josh pulled tight the wire leader and cut it with pliers so as to be able to set this monster free but not before Tagged and  recorded the sharks vitals and like a medical bracelet, attached a shark tag to its fin for NOAA. Over the rails again and this shark, can be caught another day.
Great Team Effort by All!
That is the way it is supposed to happen, Good Job.