As apex predators, sharks are extremely important to the balance of a healthy marine ecosystem. But environmental pirates are taking a toll on sharks, as seen in this video.
A 2005 study estimated nearly 60,000 sharks a year are caught in our Gulf waters on long lines alone, and use of this illegal fishing method has picked up since then. One way Texas Game Wardens and the Coast Guard combat this is by patrolling for long lines and gill nets, pulling them in by hand and releasing any marine life still alive.
Help protect sharks from poachers by reporting any suspected long lines or gill nets to Operation Game Thief at: (800) 792-4263. Something as simple as a floating bottle can indicate a long line.
If any sharks you catch are on the list of prohibited shark species, release them immediately without removing them from the water. Use the special catch-and-release techniques for sharks. Many sharks are subject to minimum size limits, so check the shark regulations in your Outdoor Annual before planning a fishing trip.
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