Fisherman Catches 12 Protected Sharks To Sell On Beach

A Uruguayan fisherman is in hot water for reportedly dragging to shore the bloodied carcasses of 12 protected sharks he reportedly caught to sell on the beach.

The incident took place in the seaside resort of Punta del Diablo in the eastern Uruguayan department of Rocha when local fisherman Roberto Acosta, 45, brought to shore 12 or 13 sand tiger sharks, according to reports.

The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus), also known as the grey nurse shark and spotted ragged-tooth shark, is categorised as ‘vulnerable’ by the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is protected in many regions due to its low reproduction rates.

According to reports, local residents were worried about the legality of the situation after the fisherman tried to sell the shark carcasses to interested parties in the coastal resort.

Local media said some residents reported the incident to the authorities, although it is yet to be confirmed whether Acosta is going to be investigated.

The fisherman told news website ‘Montevideo Portal’: “We are all responsible fishermen here and we like to add a little extra value to the produce we catch. We can sometimes spend two or three years waiting for sharks to show up so we can sell them.

“I have been fishing in the area for 28 years non-stop, but I do it responsibly. I sell to the public, and dispose of what’s unwanted. I fish with specialist equipment in a small boat I made myself.”

Acosta also claimed that he has a fishing licence from the National Directorate of Aquatic Resources, according to local media.


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Story By: Jonathan MaciasSub-EditorAlex Cope, Agency: Central European News


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