News

Update 5/21/09: Yesterday The Lee County Commission officially voiced out against the shark kill tournament, and it has been reverted to a catch & release tournament. While we'd like to see tournaments like this not exist at all, this is a step in the right direction.

It's that time of year again - shark tournament season.

This year our focus begins with Ft. Myers Florida, home to the "Are You Man Enough Shark Challenge", a shark tournament that provides prizes to the team that brings in the heaviest/largest shark. It is being promoted as a "family event" and will be accompanied by a boat show and street fair. 

That's a lot of fanfare to promote the killing of sharks and perpetuating the fear mongering of species that need our protection more than ever. This is morally and ethically inexcusable.

Shark Tournament Myths Busted

1. Not many sharks are killed: The shark tournament organizers claim that only 7 sharks have been harvested in the last three years. Of course, as we know from the investigations of shark tournaments over the last 2 years, many more sharks are killed after they are reeled in and then released, due to the hooks becoming lodged in or ripping apart the shark's stomachs. Heck - the grandfather of shark fishing himself, Frank Mundus, even admitted to that last year before he passed away. Mundus had been promoting the use of 'circle hooks' that would not damage sharks which were caught and released.

2. Shark tournaments benefits the needy: Additionally, shark tournament organizers tend to give the mercury laden meat to food banks or homeless shelters as a front  for a benefical gesture by not wasting the animals. Last year one of the largest, recipients from such tournaments, Long Island Cares, formally turned down the free offerings due to the unethical way in which the food is acquired.

3. Shark tournaments benefits researchers: Any self respecting shark researcher will tell you that they would rather not obtain samples and data in this manner. They do so because the dead sharks are available anyway, not because there are no other means available.

A Government Official Voices Opposition
Thankfully, the Ft. Myers Commission has recognized the unethical and damaging positioning of this event and has already spoken out against the shark tournament, albeit there is still no "official" statement or position. Lee County Florida District 3 Commissioner Ray Judah called the tournament "barbaric" during the commission's weekly board meeting last week, and plans on asking fellow board members to support a resolution to formally oppose the two-day event.

"I can't think of anything more barbaric than a shark fishing tournament," he said.

I hope that Commissioner Judah can be a role model to others.

Lee County Florida District 3
Commissioner Ray Judah 
Email: dist3@leegov.com
Phone: (239) 533-2223
FAX: (239) 485-2021
Box 398, Ft. Myers, Florida 33902-0398

Additionally - we need photographers to help us cover these tournaments. We need images to provide the media. If you can cover any of the events below, please contact us:

Ft. Myers June 6-7
South Jersey June 11-14
Montauk June 18-20
Ocean City June 17-21
Martha's Vineyard July 23-25
Maine Aug 28-29
 

2008 DivePhotoGuide Shark Tournament Coverage

Humane Society On Shark Tournaments