Does anyone else find this disgusting?

Question

A mako shark, over 800 pounds was caught of the coast of the Florida panhandle. The shark was strung up and put on display as a record breaking catch. With the natural balance of our oceans in such a precarious state, I am disgusted and dismayed that this apex preditor was not caught and released. Is anyone else disturbed by this?

http://news.aol.com/story/ar/_a/844-pound-shark-caught-off-florida/20071014210609990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Tiss,
It's not just one shark....millions are killed every year for sport and finning and many species are either considered endangered or threatened. It will dosrupt the balance of our oceans if these sorts of tournaments continue to be promoted.

Missy,
This is not an religious argument, and I prefer we leave religious beliefs out of it (as an Athiest, I found some parts of your answer rather offensive). I just feel that this incident, and the hundreds and thousands of others that occur every day, is a prime example of how selfish and gluttonous the human race is.

Answer 1

First of all, this is purely sport. Sharks are not really edible, the mercury content is extremely high. Of course, some people do eat shark but you will accumulate mercury in your system if you do and it will affect your nervous system.
Secondly, this is another prime example of how senseless and cruel we have become. Of course we need to kill things to survive, this is part of the natural balance. But sport fishing and killing for show or fun is absolutley unacceptable and morally wrong. What does it matter if it is legal? Do you think the law is 100% correct and fair. Besides, laws are made with interests in mind. All of you who wrote that you would only care if the shark was on the endangered species list are disgusting. What this tells me is that you are only interested in the species as a whole and do not give a damn about an individual animals right to live. Yes we eat meat and plants and we must kill them for food but we do it to survive, not to show off to our buddies. People that do such acts should take a long look at themselves and understand why they kill animals senselessly. Often it is to compensate for something or to build up an ego. These shark catchers should be jailed.

Answer 2

Mako is considered a game shark and are legal to fish. It is not on the endangered or threatened species lists - It is, however, considered a "vulnerable" species, meaning it's coming close to threatened due to overfishing. Therefore, the number of sharks that are allowed to be caught is regulated by the NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service), although this unfortunately doesn't apply to outside the USA.

This particular shark's meat is definitely not going to waste, and it wasn't just caught for sport - Mako shark fetches around $5 a pound in some places, making this single shark worth at least $3,000. Consider also that it was caught on a fishing line. This is much less dangerous to the environment than a 'sea scraper' fishing net, which can strip an entire area clean of sea life.

Do I think fishing regulations need to be much tighter, to further preserve species such as this as a whole? Yes, especially internationally. Do I think this particular incident is disgusting? Considering that the shark was caught in a non-environment threatening way (besides removing the actual animal itself), that the catch was legal, and that humans do far more damage to the environment in other ways than this kind of fishing... no, this doesn't disgust me.

Answer 3

I haven't read the link because I know it will just make me angry, but as far as I'm concerned, people who fish or hunt for food are acceptable. People who hunt for fun or to show off are not, they're worthless individuals.
It amuses me when people say that humans are apex predators, we are not. Human beings are eaten by alligators, lions, tigers, and hippos to name but a few. If we were truly at the top of the food chain nothing would eat us. A humble bacteria can kill thousands of people, and yet some of us still think we are the dominant species on Earth.

Answer 4

confident i'm disgusted by potential of his apologizing It come too little too late. It like asking a Jew to forgive Hitler. i desire he and all different racist circulate right now to hell for what he did to Blacks and that i will do with out the plantation faith tell me to forgive him for they're going to constantly love their white grasp. He could by no potential be enable right into a black church In his young little ones whilst he might have made a favorable replace he chosen to be what he's a devil now he attempting to get into heaven

Answer 5

People need to stop and think about the consequences of not preserving marine wildlife. Any time any kind of wildlife is killed purely for sport and not for food is a waste.

Answer 6

You will find that in Genesis, man was given dominion over the earth and everything in the earth (excluding over each other). And their are those that will always (sadly enough) abuse that authority. More wisdom should have been used in this situation, as it is not necessary to kill such a magnificent creature just to admire it, or to be the one to capture it.
What I find more disgusting though is the slaughtering of innocent children (millions) every year, regardless of the reasons given for such an abhor-able act! (Abortion) But that's another topic.
We as a society do not respect human life, so why should we be amazed at the lack of respect for our wildlife?

Answer 7

It's like any species of fish when it comes to fishing. I hate it when people keep huge muskies, but what are you going to do? It's legal and they're not endangered. It's meaningless and cruel and a waste of a life, but legally acceptable.

Answer 8

I am not bothered at all. If these sharks were endangered, then I might be. But since they are not listed as endangered there are no restrictions on catching them and I don't mind at all if people do. And they make good eating too. Sharks may be top of the ocean food chain, but people are top of the world food chain.

Answer 9

Disgusting...anything that will get in the news seems to be OK. Sharks will eventually get their revenge. Surfers beware, the word is out.

Answer 10

I think that is disgusting. Now, I like to fish, but unless its a real whopper ( which i actually have yet to catch lol) I practice catch-and-release. Anyone who doesn't is barbaric if you ask me.