Nantucket Angler Releases Great White in 15 Seconds After Rare Beach Catch
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 11
Nantucket Angler Releases Great White in 15 Seconds After Rare Beach Catch
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 11
Summary
Elliot Sudal posted video of himself unhooking and releasing a great white off a Nantucket beach in about 15 seconds after accidentally hooking it while testing the waters Sunday.
The 13-year Nantucket fisherman said he was not targeting the shark and shared the footage to show what he called a safe catch-and-release response when a protected predator takes the bait.
NOAA bars fishermen from landing white sharks, though they are sometimes caught accidentally; the species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, and U.S. population numbers remain unknown.
Sudal, who said he has caught more than 1,000 other sharks but never a great white before, urged anglers to use heavy tackle, barbless circle hooks and immediate release.