Hammerhead shark abuse and death could spark change in Florida's regulations

[Borealis]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/04/16/hammerhead-shark-death-could-spark-change-floridas-regulations/522602002/

A large hammerhead appears menacing. It seems intent on causing harm. But the hammerhead's looks could not be more deceiving. It is one of the most gentle, docile and mislabeled
animals on this planet. In fact, of all the human shark bites recorded in history, according to the International Shark Attack File, only 17 unprovoked bites have been attributed to the
hammerhead, and none were fatal.

Recently, a hammerhead shark caused quite a ripple, a fishing trip off Miami was enjoyed by Denver Broncos defensive end Von Miller and several friends. During the excursion, a
hammerhead shark estimated at 9 feet in length was caught and released after a few photos were taken.However, the photos of Miller hoisting the shark by its tail for his Instagram
followers, and video of the encounter, suggest the shark was handled very roughly, and kept from the water for a period of time likely harmful to the shark. Even the portion of the video
showing the "release" suggests the shark "swam" off much the way the Titanic "sailed" to the bottom of the sea.

Ultimately, complaints were filed with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Spokesman Rob Klepper confirmed Thursday the matter is still under investigation to
determine if a violation of state fishing regulations took place.

Viktor Hluben, of the YouTube Channel Land Shark Fishing, posted the video Thursday featuring a crazy beach fishing session. His fellow sharkers caught and released an unheard of
11 hammerhead sharks and two tiger sharks in 12 hours of fishing time. They were fishing what appeared to be a public beach access on Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County.

On a related note, beachgoers at the public beach at Jensen Beach called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Tuesday to report a large hammerhead shark washed
up dead on the shore. The FWC contacted researchers at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce. Harbor Branch sent a team to collect the
shark to bring it back to its lab to perform a necropsy — think more like biology class and less like Crime Scene Investigation.

"We had to decide what to do about it," said Matt Ajemian, one of the lead researchers of sharks and rays at Harbor Branch. "It was huge and we could not have collected it without the
help of the lifeguards there or In-Water Research Group."

Could the hammerhead have been one caught during the fishing session captured by the YouTuber? Possibly. Ajemian said there is no way to know for certain. Also, the research
community has a good working relationship with land-based shark fishers so there is no blame assigned.

Article's a bit old, but new regulations are still being considered

[GHOST!!!!]

Nob heads.