Animal cruelty: Florida fisherman charged for stabbing shark multiple times
MIAMI – A charter fisherman in Florida was charged with animal cruelty after a video showed him stabbing a shark multiple times.
The fisherman, Zane P. Garrett, 26, of Stock Island in the Florida Keys, was arrested by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on June 5 and charged with the felony count.
Law enforcement officials received tips on May 23 about a man 'repeatedly stabbing a shark on a fishing line before cutting the line and releasing the animal', the agency said in a statement. It was unclear if the shark survived.
A video, which has since been widely circulated, shows a man stabbing the shark with a knife and includes a caption that reads 'bud broke my rod'.
Conservation agents located Garrett's boat in Key West and identified him as the charter captain on the day of the attack. He later admitted to the stabbing.
It was not immediately clear what potential penalties Garrett might face.
'The careless cruelty displayed in this video is unacceptable,' said Major Alberto Maza, the South B regional commander of the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 'I'm proud of the public for reporting this senseless act and our officers' work in identifying the subject and holding him accountable.'
According to WPLG Local 10 in Miami, an arrest warrant stated that Garrett attacked the shark because it had stolen his fish.
Garrett declined to comment when reached by phone on June 6.
According to his website, Garrett operates Second Nature Charters in Key West, with prices starting at US$900 (S$1,160) for four hours of tarpon fishing.
The charter boat is an 11m Torres sport fishing vessel that can accommodate up to six passengers.
'With Captain Zane at the helm, every fishing excursion becomes an unforgettable journey filled with camaraderie, laughter and, most importantly, epic catches that will be cherished for a lifetime,' according to the site.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said sharks have been known to take fish off a line or bite boat motors, 'an unfortunate side effect of healthy and sustainable shark populations'.
A screen grab shows a charter fisherman stabbing a shark.
PHOTO: WPLG LOCAL 10
The commission's advice: Move to another area away from shark activity.
In May, another Florida charter fisherman was sentenced to 30 days for shooting and poisoning dolphins from his boat, including doing so once in front of two school-aged children.
The captain was frustrated with the dolphins for stealing his catch, investigators said at the time. NYTIMES
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