From the Miami Herald, 11/16/11 (Interview with Bucky Dennis)
Despite their fearsome reputations, tiger and hammerhead sharks are in such serious decline that state wildlife managers want to outlaw killing them in state waters
BY CURTIS MORGAN
Florida wildlife managers, in a move that would be a first nationally, are poised to outlaw killing tiger sharks and three kinds of hammerheads that prowl state waters — but in increasingly fewer numbers.
The idea of protecting “man-eating’’ species might perplex some people scarred by one too many Jaws movie marathons but it’s broadly supported by marine scientists, environmental groups and even the International Game Fish Association, keeper of all sport fishing records.
Maybe more important, Bucky Dennis, shark hunter extraordinaire, is all for it.
That’s one telling measure of how much angler attitudes have changed about the dwindling populations of important, misunderstood predators that have long been butchered for their fins and jaws and displayed on docks as “monster-fishing’’ trophies.
Dennis, a fishing guide from Port Charlotte, caught some wicked backlash from the far reaches of cyberspace after he bagged a world-record hammerhead off Boca Grande on Florida’s southwest coast in May 2009 — a 1,060-pounder that was likely at least a half century old and probably a pregnant female. Countless e-mailers and bloggers called him heartless, ignorant and other unpleasant, unprintable pejoratives.
Two years later, he won’t say he regrets killing the shark, which got him into the IGFA record books for 80-pound test line and was intended to help promote his fishing guide business. But he fully supports a catch-and-release-only rule that would put an end to killing big hammerheads and tigers simply for records — at least the ones caught in Florida’s coastal waters.
“There are only so many sharks. I’m not out there to kill them and hang them up all the time,’’ he said. “If I do that, I’m hurting the industry. I want my customers to catch them. I want my kids to catch them.’’
The new rule, up for final approval on Wednesday during a meeting of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Key Largo, would add four new species — tiger sharks as well as scalloped, smooth and great hammerheads — to 23 sharks already off-limits for harvest in state waters, which extend three miles off the Atlantic coast and nine miles off the Gulf coast.
Catch-and-release fishing would still be allowed and anglers also could transport sharks landed in federal waters, where all four species remain legal for most anglers to kill. The National Fisheries Service this year did prohibit commercial and sport anglers who keep tuna or swordfish from also keeping great, smooth or scalloped hammerhead sharks.
Shark experts and environmentalists applaud the FWC proposal and hope it clears the way for extending protections in both federal and international waters. Populations of all four species, according to FWC and federal fisheries biologists, have declined by more than half in recent decades, with studies suggesting smooth and scalloped hammerheads in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf down by as much as 98 percent and tigers reduced by at least 65 percent.
“It’s a big step but we’re going to need the federal government to step up and do their part as well,’’ said Neil Hammerschlag, a research assistant professor and shark expert at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
Unlike most of the other 22 sharks on the state’s prohibited list, which are rare to nonexistent in coastal waters, tigers and hammerheads are prized by anglers and still show up at the end of fishing lines, though not nearly in the numbers seen decades ago.
“I’m out there 10 days a month doing shark research,’’ he said, “and I catch less than a handful of these a year.’’
Because sharks reach breeding maturity late in life and produce relatively few offspring, they’re particularly vulnerable to the impacts of overfishing, Hammerschlag said. Scientists estimate the gestation period of tiger sharks, for instance, at from nine to 15 months.
Jason Schratwieser, conservation director of the Dania Beach-based IGFA, said numerous international studies point to serious declines in the largest, ocean-going sharks like tigers and hammerheads. The great white, the infamous star of Jaws, has been so overfished it is already protected from commercial and recreational fishing in state and federal waters.
“I think you are seeing that these things need a little bit of a break,’’ said Schratwieser.
Though some people see sharks as nothing more than dangerous monsters, scientists say they serve important roles at the top of the ocean food chain, keeping the ecosystem in balance. Reducing their numbers can create unexpected and unwanted ripple effects.
The heaviest pressure on sharks extends far beyond Florida, driven largely by the Asian shark fin soup trade, but coastal waters are important breeding and feeding grounds — particularly for hammerheads. In the spring and summer, they show up en masse to feed on migrating tarpon that draw anglers to the Florida Keys and other hot spots like Boca Grande. The biggest angling prizes are typically the largest females, which also are the most prodigious producers of shark pups.
Though some recreational anglers have grumbled, FWC spokeswoman Amanda Nalley said “we haven’t had a lot of push-back.’’
The rule, if approved, would make it a second-degree misdemeanor to catch and kill one of the sharks in state waters. The state is also developing an education campaign to promote safe catch-and-release using circle hooks and other gear that does less damage. The FWC is also considering a tag system that would allow anglers to pay to kill a limited number of sharks, such as potential record catches.
Fishing guide Dennis said he supports the proposed changes and won’t be pursing any records in the future, tag option or not.
“Now, it doesn’t mean as much to me as it did back then,’’ he said.
Though he “got a lot of flack’’ for killing the big hammerhead, he insisted something was lost in many of the stories, he said.
He said he had always practiced catch-and-release with sharks in a guiding career going back to 1998 — with three exceptions, for one tournament and for two hammerheads he knew qualified for the record books.
“I don’t like people being mad at me,’’ Dennis said. “I’d rather have people be happy and come give me money to take them fishing.’’
Some important point to pay attention to in this article.
1)Great Whites are protected in federal and state waters because of their decline in numbers - this could also become the condition if we dont step up to the plate and do something to protect the fish we catch now before they get to that point.
2)Clearly states that "catch and release" fishing WILL be allowed.
3)Also states that a "tag system" is being talked about to be able to continue the chase for the records - if your willing to buy the tag and understand there are only a limited number available then people wont be killing 10' fish thinking they have a shot at a record - they will also familiarize themselves with what the records actually are to se if they are anywhere close to breaking one before killing the fish.
My personal opinion is that if they do what they say they are going to do then I am all for this - it just means better fishing for future generations. Most of the heavily regulated fish that were once scarce are now making strong come backs and/or are in abundance - how could that possibly be a bad thing?
Think about how awesome it would be that if you put in your time and prepare yourself and your gear that an opportunity to catch a 13' tiger or hammerhead was more of a possibility rather than a very small chance - to be able to experience that and know that you are doing your part for future generations to be able to do the same thing in 50 years - thats where legacies, tradition, and history is born and made.
Lets see what you guys think.
From the Miami Herald, 11/16/11 (Interview with Bucky Dennis)
Despite their fearsome reputations, tiger and hammerhead sharks are in such serious decline that state wildlife managers want to outlaw killing them in state waters
BY CURTIS MORGAN
Catch-and-release fishing would still be allowed and anglers also could transport sharks landed in federal waters, where all four species remain legal for most anglers to kill. The National Fisheries Service this year did prohibit commercial and sport anglers who keep tuna or swordfish from also keeping great, smooth or scalloped hammerhead sharks.
Jason Schratwieser, conservation director of the Dania Beach-based IGFA, said numerous international studies point to serious declines in the largest, ocean-going sharks like tigers and hammerheads. The great white, the infamous star of Jaws, has been so overfished it is already protected from commercial and recreational fishing in state and federal waters.“I think you are seeing that these things need a little bit of a break,’’ said Schratwieser.
The heaviest pressure on sharks extends far beyond Florida, driven largely by the Asian shark fin soup trade, but coastal waters are important breeding and feeding grounds — particularly for hammerheads. In the spring and summer, they show up en masse to feed on migrating tarpon that draw anglers to the Florida Keys and other hot spots like Boca Grande. The biggest angling prizes are typically the largest females, which also are the most prodigious producers of shark pups.
Though some recreational anglers have grumbled, FWC spokeswoman Amanda Nalley said “we haven’t had a lot of push-back.’’
The FWC is also considering a tag system that would allow anglers to pay to kill a limited number of sharks, such as potential record catches.
I think this is good news for sharks AND anglers.
I wonder if it will make any difference to the number of sharks unnecessarily slaughtered by a certain Miami beach charter captain...
THIS IS NOT GOOD NEWS! What happens when you legally catch a monster 13ft hammerhead and it dies because of the 2 hour long fight? All I can say is you all better start coming up with your game plans now when you have the time to think.
That's a good point... but at least there will eventually be more sharks to catch.
When they bought out all the commercial netsmen from the salmon rivers in Northern England what were once pretty useless salmon runs became incredible fisheries in a matter of a few years. It will take longer for shark populations to restore because of their long lifespan and slower breeding. I think the positives will outweigh the negatives over time.
All these people who say that oh this is a good law have no clue what they are talking about.
Why?
Because they never reel in a dead hammerhead. BUT when they'll gonna do that - i wanna see how much they'll gonna like the second degree misdemeanor charge, loosing they job because the company don't allow any employees with criminal backgrounds, paying a high fine and loosing they fishing gear.
Will you say again that - YES I SUPPORT THIS LAW?
Of course Bucky Dennis the hammerhead record holder will agree with this. If you are a IGFA record holder you MUST BE STUPID NOT TO AGREE WITH THIS. WHY? Well isn't that law seals the deal on who's gonna remain the record holder? Tag system - how much? 3-$400 a year? Let's not forget something here, bigger the fish species higher the tagging price. By the way - how much is a tag for something that's about similar size - let's say - an alligator? Good luck with that guys!
I have no problem with other species of sharks, but hammerheads are the ONLY shark species that actually dies on you while you reel them in. All of you who say i support this law, tells me that YOU NEVER EVER REELED IN A DEAD HAMMERHEAD NOR BEEN WITH SOMEONE THAT REELED IN A DEAD ONE. I feel bad for clueless shark fishermen when they'll gonna find themselves in a situation were they'll gonna reel in a dead fish and get charged second degree misdemeanor. When FWC will catch you with a dead hammerhead next to you - do you think that they'll gonna give a crap on what you're saying that the fish came in dead? Tell them that story and you'll see on your own skin how far away you'll gonna go with that under "I SUPPORT THIS NEW LAW".
I never been more upset then I am right now, because there are ONLY FEW who see this, and that's very very upsetting to me.
To give you an idea, within a month of shark fishing from 10-12 sharks 3 of them end up dead, despite the fact that courageous shark fishermen swim along with two of these sharks for more then 30-40 minutes passed the second sand bar to revive them and after the fish toke off, they got washed on the beach hours later. This is what I SEEN, NOT HEARD - so you tell me - despite all this - still second degree misdemeanor is a fair punishment for that shark fishermen that he risked his life swimming with the shark to save him? We all already practice catch an release, but when you get an 20-30% ration were the hammerhead dies involuntarily on you, well you get 20-30% chances in hammerhead infested waters to get charged with second degree misdemeanor. To all of you who support this new law, there is NO MATTER OF IF - is A MATTER OF WHEN - you'll gonna get charged with second degree misdemeanor. Because let me tell you something, if you fish in florida, sooner or later you'll gonna catch a hammerhead, and sooner or later will die on you, but probably only then you'll remember this post.
If i was to harsh in my post, i apologize, but there are way too many shark fishermen who don't have a clue of the outcome under this new law.
You're right it is an unfortunate oversight in passing this law and will criminalise some anglers unfairly. I think the problem is that we as individual recreational anglers get lumped in with commercial guys who do the vast majority of damage to fish stocks. I'm in favor only from a conservation perspective and do think the particulars of the new law are unfair to anglers based on what I've read.
I would like to see the exact wording of the law when it is passed. It may be that you can only be prosecuted for willfully destroying a shark or having a dead shark in your possession which may allow for the scenario of a fish dying before being landed.
It does say that 'Catch and Release' fishing is still allowed. So if you release the shark and it later dies, you have still followed the law by releasing it alive imo. I know this is a particular problem with hammers as they are "ram ventilators" so need to be swimming to breathe, making it more difficult to release them safely.
Commercial boats dump dead fish they can't keep by law on a daily basis and don't get prosecuted. So maybe the answer is to just 'release' the dead shark back to the ocean! 
Please read this article: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/nov/11/ ... ures-rule/
If hammerheads would have food value, there would be NO BAN. It's all about money!!!
Please read "The UGLY".
But where is actually food value they increase the commercial fishing months for spotted seatrout? What BS is this???
You're right it is an unfortunate oversight in passing this law and will criminalise some anglers unfairly. I think the problem is that we as individual recreational anglers get lumped in with commercial guys who do the vast majority of damage to fish stocks. I'm in favor only from a conservation perspective and do think the particulars of the new law are unfair to anglers based on what I've read.
I would like to see the exact wording of the law when it is passed. It may be that you can only be prosecuted for willfully destroying a shark or having a dead shark in your possession which may allow for the scenario of a fish dying before being landed.
It does say that 'Catch and Release' fishing is still allowed. So if you release the shark and it later dies, you have still followed the law by releasing it alive imo. I know this is a particular problem with hammers as they are "ram ventilators" so need to be swimming to breathe, making it more difficult to release them safely.
Commercial boats dump dead fish they can't keep by law on a daily basis and don't get prosecuted. So maybe the answer is to just 'release' the dead shark back to the ocean!
The law passed already yesterday and will be effective from 01.01.2012.
As far as, getting washed later on after you release it - what your explanation will be while you still shark fish in the dark and they came and question you about the dead hammerhead washed few hundred yards away, without you, being aware about it initially, till FWC throws questions about it.
I'm saying this because it happened this year!
i wish they would listen to the anglers and not check books. we know more about the fish then they do. i am going to stop my post here before i end up banned or some thing.
hammerheads do have a tendency to die after a fight i have walked a 7 footer waste deep for 30 minutes just to get him to revive and he still swam off barely but he survived since he never washed back up idk i have walked a lot of sharks waste deep to try and save them and never had one come back at me even an 8 foot bull and 9 foot lemon so it all depends on the person and whether they are afraid to do so idk its just my preference to try and make them survive but sometimes they still dont so shit happens id be pissed if i was tryin to make one survive and got arrested if it still died
To make my point clear - I AM AGAINST KILLING INTENTIONALLY HAMMERHEADS - BUT - GOING IN JAIL FOR A HAMMERHEAD THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT AFTER DOING MY BEST TO REVIVE HER - THAT'S UNFAIR!
All the people who i've been with they felt terribly bad that they end up with a dead hammerhead. Sometimes got to the point that we end up the fishing for that night, but now as of 01-01-2012 we'll all risk second degree misdemeanor plus other nasty side effects that comes with it.
I'm sure that many will stop shark fishing after a charge like that.
Oh and one more thing. This new law is based on unknown numbers as far as sport fishermen, but hey, we kill more then a commercial charter right?
http://www.news-press.com/article/20111 ... ext|Home|p
There are plenty of "other" fish out there that have size limits - harvest limits - and species that are not able to be harvested at all that people catch all the time. Its just part of fishing that not all are going to ba able to be returned back to the water and survive. When they pass these laws and they are followed if a fish does not survive then they would have a hard time criminally prosecuting the angler. If you catch a fish that is on the do not harvest list and it dies all you can do is return it back to the water for nature to run its course - just like over or under slot redfish or whatever other species are prominant in your area. Theres too much speculation about criminal charges for a fish not surviving after the fight going on - if all things are dont to properly catch the fish and revive it after the fight and it dies - well thats just part of nature and is not a crime. The benefits far outweigh the good that will come from this type of law.
The NFL practices the 2-minute drill and the SFSC will need to adopt the 30-45 second drill. Tailrope, measurement, back in the water. You don't understand how quickly these sharks die unless you have personally experienced it.