wolcott Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 Byron Stout writes in the local News-Press that "Englewood Capt. Bucky Dennis believes he has caught another world record hammerhead shark at Boca Grande Pass. It's not as big as the all-tackle record 1,280-pounder he caught two years ago, but at 1,060 pounds, it should smash the current record for 80-pound test line by 440 lbs." He goes on to speculate that this will be the last big hammerhead he kills as he is aware of the controversy he stirs by killing the large sharks. It shows a pic of his arms and hands holding the hammer of the shark out of the water. The shark measured 13 feet, 6 inches long. They come into the pass along with bull sharks to feed on the tarpon. The boys with the big boats during tarpon season get ticked off when they catch a tarpon and it gets attacked and half-eaten by the bull and hammerhead sharks by the time it gets reeled in.
Hermes Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 No offense AZ, but, killing (any) magnificient creatures for "sport" seems so yesterday.
azkaisr Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 Fair Point Jurgen, but I was just posting the picture cause I couldn't reference the size of the animal. Not sure where you got the idea that I endorsed the killing in any way. But no biggie
Hermes Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 Fair Point Jurgen, but I was just posting the picture cause I couldn't reference the size of the animal. Not sure where you got the idea that I endorsed the killing in any way. But no biggie Not at all, I wasn't thinking you endorsed the killing, the guy that cought the Hammerhead is. Sorry if I created the wrong impression for you. More generally speaking, it is hard not to know about our Oceans in peril, and yet, inspite of it, the wanton killing and overfishing goes on. There is a new movie out "The Cove" it shows where the Japanese round up and kill Dolphins in the most despicable manner. A good sized Dolphin catches as much as $130,000, so there is ample motivation. The filmmakers under the threat to their life used night vision and other techniques, such as hidden cameras and microphones, to get up close and personal without being detected. Currently Japan has issued an arrest warrant against them. Japan is also alienating most of the world by re-introducing Humpback whale hunting; a practise for which there is no economical or industriell necessity. The Humpback has just recovered from near extinction. In another Ocean related story, the Inuits, insist to continue their traditional whale hunt (I believe Narwhale and Bluewhale). In our Politically Correct stupor, they have been granted permission, at least by the Canadian Government. In the process of exercising their tradition, for every whale they succesfully catch, five will have been mortally injured and will perish. The cruel and unusual Seal hunt is another one of those issues, this one politically motivated, our Federal Politicians need to get our Maritime Provinces' vote. I just think Man's relationship with all aspects of Nature needs a major re-thinking, we cannot continue to eliminate major links in the life support and food chains if we, as top predator, want to survive in the long run. With that in mind, I made the comment addressed to no one in particular but to all of our collective conscience. Gratuitous hunting, such as Hammerheads, just shows how poor a steward of this Blue Marble Man is.
Hermes Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 AZ, double apoligy, I just now, upon re-reading, realized that it was Wolcot that posted the comments and you just posted the picture. It had escaped me 'til now. I thought you had penned the comments and contributed the picture. Time for my med's, I think.
Lineareagle Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 I prefer being IN the water with them, Absolutely gorgeous animals, and you definitely know you are in THEIR environment.
Ken H. Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 killing (any) magnificient creatures for "sport" seems so yesterday. Killing (any) creatures for "sport" seems so yesterday. More generally speaking, it is hard not to know about our Oceans in peril, and yet, inspite of it, the wanton killing and overfishing goes on. There is a new movie out "The Cove" it shows where the Japanese round up and kill Dolphins in the most despicable manner. A good sized Dolphin catches as much as $130,000, so there is ample motivation. The filmmakers under the threat to their life used night vision and other techniques, such as hidden cameras and microphones, to get up close and personal without being detected. Currently Japan has issued an arrest warrant against them. Japan is also alienating most of the world by re-introducing Humpback whale hunting; a practise for which there is no economical or industriell necessity. The Humpback has just recovered from near extinction. In another Ocean related story, the Inuits, insist to continue their traditional whale hunt (I believe Narwhale and Bluewhale). In our Politically Correct stupor, they have been granted permission, at least by the Canadian Government. In the process of exercising their tradition, for every whale they succesfully catch, five will have been mortally injured and will perish. The cruel and unusual Seal hunt is another one of those issues, this one politically motivated, our Federal Politicians need to get our Maritime Provinces' vote. I just think Man's relationship with all aspects of Nature needs a major re-thinking, we cannot continue to eliminate major links in the life support and food chains if we, as top predator, want to survive in the long run. With that in mind, I made the comment addressed to no one in particular but to all of our collective conscience. Gratuitous hunting, such as Hammerheads, just shows how poor a steward of this Blue Marble Man is. +1 Well said.
wolcott Posted May 8, 2009 Author Posted May 8, 2009 The captain has said that this is the last big shark that he is gonna kill for a record. So, that is the good part. I just posted a thread because of his enormous size (for this species). Sharks of all species are under threat because of the insatiable demand from the Asians for shark-fin soup. The same reason they are killing grizzlies and black bears (gall bladders) and rhinos. Rhino horn is supposedly an aphrodisiac. It all comes down to Asian demand, even though it may be politically incorrect to say so, for some species and their desired parts/meat/organs. We need to divert some of that NASA money into more ocean research along with fisheries manangement and enforcement.
Lineareagle Posted May 8, 2009 Posted May 8, 2009 First I would encourage everyone to make the effort and become scuba certified and treat yourself to one dive trip, I would highly recommend Curacao. There is 3/4 of the world out there and until you are in it and see it you won't believe it AND you will never be the same. Second, one of the saddest things I have ever heard was my youngest, a marine biologist who is working with west coast salmon surveys say, "Its too late dad, we've destroyed it too much. The toxins are already out there and we can't get them back." "We can only prolong the inevitable." Keep working kiddo, maybe, just maybe it ain't so.
Matts_12GS Posted May 9, 2009 Posted May 9, 2009 The shark measured 13 feet, 6 inches long. They come into the pass along with bull sharks to feed on the tarpon. The boys with the big boats during tarpon season get ticked off when they catch a tarpon and it gets attacked and half-eaten by the bull and hammerhead sharks by the time it gets reeled in. Makes me wonder if that is the legendary "Old Hitler." the myth the other myth When I was a kid working charter boats out of Clearwater Pass, there were (supposed) sightings of a simply mammoth hammerhead out there in the gulf. Eyes like softballs, teeth like buzzsaws, etc. I have witnessed hammerheads in the 10+ foot range on several occasions and been in the water (and proximity) with several large species both while diving and fishing, including a bad episode overboard with a large agitated bull shark a couple feet away. I'm no fan of the shark, despite the tattoo of one on my arm, but I'm against killing animals for sport. Other species? Well, I guess that depends.
W. Mazelin Posted May 9, 2009 Posted May 9, 2009 What if he is going to eat him? Doesn't that take a bit of the "sport" out of it?
JTWright Posted May 9, 2009 Posted May 9, 2009 Wolcott, Next time you see the Captain ask him if his statement that "this is the last big shark he's going to kill" helps this big hammerhead? What was the purpose in killing it? The last polar bear or elephand or lion killed will be someone's last one. Sorry, but it just doesn't make any sense. Jim
Pilgrim Posted May 11, 2009 Posted May 11, 2009 Wolcott, Next time you see the Captain ask him if his statement that "this is the last big shark he's going to kill" helps this big hammerhead? What was the purpose in killing it? The last polar bear or elephand or lion killed will be someone's last one. Sorry, but it just doesn't make any sense. Jim Think it over. Maybe it'll make sense to you then. Pilgrim
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