A juvenile white shark measuring 5-6 feet was hooked Monday night on Manhattan Beach Pier by an angler who was adamant about illegally hauling the catch up onto the pier.
Eric Martin and Val Hill, biologists who work at Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium at the end of the pier, witnessed the attempted capture and Martin, against strong objection from the angler, ultimately managed to cut the line.
White sharks are protected in California. Unlawful take and possession is a misdemeanor and those in violation face possible jail time and large fines.
Martin said he had a difficult time getting this point across to the angler, who spoke little English.
Martin had a policeman on the line while confronting the angler and his friends.
Juvenile white sharks frequent Southern California coastal waters during the summer months. They feed largely on small fishes and rays and pose no significant threat to humans.
Last August an angler fell under investigation by the state Department of Fish and Game after rope-gaffing and hauling a white shark onto Huntington Beach Pier. That event was captured on video, which is posted below.
Hopefully wardens will find the time to visit some of the Southland piers and monitor the fishing activity. Several shark sightings are made each summer from Manhattan Beach Pier.
""i hope these idiots are found and prosicuted".....irony at it's finest".....irony at its finest.
Posted by: LoL | Sep 06, 2012 at 05:31 AM
"i hope these idiots are found and prosicuted".....irony at it's finest
Posted by: Joe | Sep 05, 2012 at 08:54 PM
i hope these idiots are found and prosicuted.
Posted by: Scouser197653 | Jul 13, 2012 at 11:35 PM
That is definitely a baby Great White. It has triangular teeth (see 6:02 of video), Mako's have pointy teeth. Also the black tips on the pectoral fins are another give away. I live in Huntington, and I have done my fair share of shark fishing (on a boat) but this is plain moronic.
Mako's just don’t come this close to the beach and they should know that. I hope these guys got the max fine...
Posted by: Mike Hanson | Jul 12, 2012 at 08:14 AM
learn how to use a camera too!
Posted by: Kirstin | Jul 10, 2012 at 10:22 PM
good work eric. a shame the shark couldn`t get close enough to BITE this guy!
Posted by: steve wible | Jul 10, 2012 at 04:57 PM
yep dumb fishermen don't really care, protected species or not. once was asked to go 'bird doggin' with fish & game on a pier, was interesting and some fishermen learned (the expensive way) about fishing regs
Posted by: keith | Jul 10, 2012 at 09:11 AM