7 replies to this topic

[Marjo]

Hi Guys!

I would ask you to help me stop this irresponsible sports fishing operator who kills tiger sharks here in the Virgin Islands. Unfortunately, Tiger sharks, despite being listed as "Near Threatened", are not protected in territorial waters as long as they are not being taken in parks or MPAs. Yet, this is very disturbing. I have been living and diving in the USVI for the past 14 years. We see sharks from time to time on SCUBA, but it is rare and sightings of Tigers almost exclusively happens during turtle hatching time when the Tigers move in for the "buffet". A few weeks ago some local fishermen dragged a Tiger out of the waters and killed in there on St. Croix. This was in response to seeing several tigers eating a leather-back turtle. The intention of the fishermen was probably good, albeit misguided. We need our tiger sharks and other predators in the ocean to act as "housekeepers" weeding out the sick, slow and unfit for reproduction. Without them our fish stocks will collapse. Most of the old-time fishermen who have been fishing here for generations understand this. They have seen what has happened with the fish populations. Although there are some greedy bad apples, I haven't yet seen a local fisherman who would go out and target sharks. Now a new problem has crept in to our "paradise". Some "cowboy" who isn't really a fisherman set up an operation on the island of St. John last fall. His big thing is that he kills tiger sharks. Weirdly he is combining this with "showing off the sharks", even putting scubadivers in the water while reeling them in. It is appalling! He does not seem to have the faintest clue about how interconnected all species in the ocean are and what role the Tiger shark plays in the ecosystem. In fact he seems to think he is doing turtles and marlin a "favor' by killing off the Tiger sharks! I f you can spare a moment, I would be sincerely grateful if you you could follow the links below to his facebook group and youtube tiger killing video and let him know your opinion on running a business like this. With education, awareness and information, we can hopefully convert this killer into an ambassador for sharks.

facebook group here

youtube channel here

Edited by Marjo, 30 April 2011 - 02:21 PM.

[Steve Williams]

Hi Marjo,
I couldn't bring myself to watch the whole thing. The lunacy of killing the beauty and majesty that he is selling is unfathonable to me. He should take his own advice that he posted on the first frame of his video.

I wish I was local so I could have a real conversation with this guy. The lack of understanding is gargantuan. Hopefully for the sharks and all of us, if he keeps operating the way he is natural selection will take it's course. I'm praying for another Darwin award winner.

Hang in there,
Steve

[cor]

One of the people involved now claims federal law requires fishermen to kill sharks if they catch it. Anyone ever hear of such a law?

[danielandrewclem]

One of the people involved now claims federal law requires fishermen to kill sharks if they catch it. Anyone ever hear of such a law?

Total bullshit.

[adamhanlon]

Hi guys,

I've been in a dialog with the guy. His last message to me was:

"You just don't know when to quit, do you? Why don't we meet face to face. I'll put you in your proper place. I wouldn't waste me time dirtying my hands on trash like you, but I'd provoke you enough for you to hit me, then you'd be the one in jail. Your just an asshole that won't mind his own business. And if you keep sending mew trash on my pages, I will continue to do the same on your pages. You are harrassing me. It is annoying. I only want for you to mind your own business and me mind mine, but you won't do such. Leave me alone."

Please folks, let him know that his actions are unacceptable by posting comments on to his Facebook page. In the meantime, if anyone knows of any other ways to make him stop, please let me know.

Adam

[adamhanlon]

Just thought I should add my reply to his message:

Andy, rather than hiding behind sending me threatening private messages (which don't threaten me by the way) why not man this one out in public? You posted a video of the killing of a juvenile tiger shark. I objected to that video and your posting of it. Your charter operation is apparently encouraging tourists to come and visit those same sharks you are killing. You then justified it by claiming that the law required you to kill it, which I think we both know is rubbish. Throughout this whole episode, I have never sworn at you, threatened you, called you names or insulted you personally despite you provoking me to do so. Your and my personalities are not the discussion here, it is your attitude towards sharks and the killing of them. Please look at what you are doing and realize that there is another way. Those same sharks are worth so much more to you alive than dead. Taking people to see those sharks will make more money for you and your dependents than catching and killing them will. Human history is littered with people who have refused to change as times, attitudes and the environment does. Killing sharks is no longer acceptable for anyone in the world and those that carry on the practice will be judged harshly by future generations. I hope you won't be one of those.

Adam

[SharkyJillian]

This makes you wonder how often this happens when cameras are not rolling?
The chance to dive and film with that animal was ignored, most likely due to the ignorance of how amazing that animal was!
People pay a lot of money to dive with tiger sharks.... ironic that this guy had an incredible moment and celebrated by ending the animal's life.

[MitHere]

Vids are gone.
What the story is?
Unhappy about this, though. Some people think it's just.. funny to kill or hurt animals.
Not even in a sadistic way but just, a fucked up way.
I had some [old, not current] friends that thought it was funny that they smacked a dog in the head with a 2x4.