WASHINGTON - The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is expressing concern about a shark hunting contest held off the coast of Martha's Vineyard last weekend. The contest garnered national attention after network news programs broadcast footage of contest participants hauling in a 1,191-pound tiger shark.
"Contest killing of sharks or any animal is an affront to a civilized society," said Dr. John Grandy, senior vice president for HSUS wildlife programs. "In this case it contributes to further declines in shark populations while adding to the stigma that surrounds these magnificent predators."
"Shark killing contests should go the way of the bison killing contests of old. They perpetuate cruel and unnecessary treatment of some of the most ancient and fascinating of the ocean's creatures," Grandy said. "Many shark species, including blue and thresher sharks, have suffered dramatic population declines and can ill-afford to be the target of this sort of dubious enterprise."
Tiger sharks are listed as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
The contest is sponsored by the Boston Big Game Fishing Club.
