13.03.2009

It was widely reported in the media this week that a freediver killed a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) which he claimed was threatening his group in the Gulf of Mexico. Video images made available to the media show only a brief sequence of the cameraman being buzzed once by the shark which is not uncommon with this and other pelagic species, especially in the vicinity of spearfishing activites when there are injured animals or blood in the water.

Judging by the movement of the sediment in at least one of the sequences, it appears that the shark - which is swimming at a respectable distance - is actually being chased by the group. This behaviour on the part of humans is known to provoke a threat response in some shark species which is often erroneously interpreted as aggressivess. The animal is in fact defending itself against a perceived - or real - threat.

The killing of this particular shark may have been avoidable. If at all possible, the divers should have returned to the boat rather than chase and engage the animal. Instead, it appears to have been needlessly killed under the guise of self-defence by a professional spearfisher and trophy-hunter.

If a similar incident were to take place in Canada, the offending diver would be liable for killing a shark without a licence* and charges could be laid under the Canada Fisheries Act. If the circumstances and evidence indicated that the diver was in fact not under immediate threat, GEERG would support prosecution.

*Sport fishing for sharks in Canada is illegal with the exception of sanctioned shark derbies. However, catch-and-release is permitted since 1994. A licenced commercial fishery exists for the porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus) and the blue shark (Prionace glauca). By-catch of sharks is allowed under certain conditions for licenced commercial fishers.

Killing a shark while diving is thus not permitted. However, a diver may - and should - obviously defend himself if under attack.

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