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Large Female Tiger Shark in Anguilla
from The Anguillian
TIGER SHARK CAUGHT OFF CAPTAIN’S BAY
Published by anguillian on March 22, 2013
[Tiger shark being pulled to shore at Island Harbour bay (picture caption)]
It does not happen very often but when it does, it creates much excitement among fishermen, members of the community and even tourists.
Such was the case on Sunday morning, March 17, when two of the island’s popular fishermen – Trivaugn Smith and Keith Harrigan – brought ashore a 12-foot tiger shark at Island Harbour. It was tugged into the bay strapped to their fishing boat, obviously too heavy to hoist into the vessel.
The shark, not known to be pregnant, until it was cut down, was found to be carrying 38 fully-alive off-springs. It was caught in a trammel-type gadget with rope, anchor, buoys, hooks and bait, set for some days. It was reported that recently a large shark was spotted outside Scilly Cay – some distance from Island Harbour Bay.
About a week before, a six-foot shark was caught in the waters near Scrub Island. Fishermen, who know the surrounding areas well, are of the view that with the abundance of turtles in the vicinity, sharks are being attracted there in search of prey.
It was not clear what use was made of the shark. However, its expansive jaw bone is being preserved by Colville Petty for later display at Heritage Collection Museum at East End.
[Here’s what the IUCN Species Survival Commission for Sharks and Rays says about Tiger Sharks:
Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier (Peron & Lesueur, in Lesueur, 1822)
Red List assessment Global: Near Threatened (Simpfendorfer, C. 2005)
Rationale: This large (>550cm), omnivorous shark is common worldwide in tropical and warm temperate coastal waters. It is a relatively fast-growing and fecund species. It is caught regularly in target and non-target fisheries. There is evidence of declines for several populations where they have been heavily fished, but in general they do not face a high risk of extinction. Continued demand, especially for fins, may result in further declines in the future.]
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