Hooks, line and injuries on Sharks.

Unfortunately, a sight that we see all too often now when diving with sharks is the evidence of hooks, line and injuries to sharks.

My local dive spot, Julian Rocks - Byron Bay Australia, is an aggregation site for the Grey Nurse Shark (Ragged Tooth, Sand Tiger). This species is listed as an endangered species and protected under law and yet we commonly now see evidence of the shark having been hooked at one stage or another ... whether it be a direct attempt to catch a shark or as by-catch on a long line or even a drum line.

This is a sight seen all too often ... Hooks in the side of the mouth

Many times you'll see fishing line and/or wire traces following behind. The worst case I have seen in the past 7 yrs of diving at Julian Rocks is a GNS with a fishing gaff lodged in it's gullet. I've post these images before ... but here they are again, for those who have not seen them prior ...

This shark was successfully rescued and the gaff was removed by a Seaworld (Gold Coast, Australia) vet. Images are taken by Graham Long.

Imagine having had this lodged down your throat and into your stomach ... all 3.5 ft of it. No thank you.

Another unusual sighting I have come across is an enormous leech lodged onto the fin of a Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark) ... OUCH

So what is being seen around the rest of the world? Please feel welcome to share so we are all more understanding of the plight of our beloved species.

Cheers,
John.