Largest ever Thresher shark caught

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by Fiona

Words form the auctioneer duing interview on the Radio2 news.

"I would like to see it mounted in some way, it is a far too beautiful animal to be processed"

Yes, of course, it'd look so much better in a glass case than swimming around in the sea.

I'd like to see the fishermen mounted in a similar way

Actually, that's not fair. I know they have to make a living, but can't help thinking they should've put this one back if they possibly could.

[Gram43]

At £255 for the life of such a lovely animal, they should not look so happy, they should be ashamed.

[pondlife]

I have been lucky enough to see these creatures in the wild - I would happily pay £255 to see one again.They are truly magnificent in their own environment.
Sad day

++Pond++

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Kirstie

Yes, of course, it'd look so much better in a glass case than swimming around in the sea.

Actually, that's not fair. I know they have to make a living, but can't help thinking they should've put this one back if they possibly could.

You can't blame the auctioneer Kirstie, it was already dead. However I do agree I can't help wondering if it would have been possible to return it to the water alive.

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by Fiona

You can't blame the auctioneer Kirstie, it was already dead. However I do agree I can't help wondering if it would have been possible to return it to the water alive.

I know, and it wouldn't make it any better if the shark had sold for thousands of pounds.

A shark of that size thrashing about in your nets might be a bit tricky to untangle, I suppose.

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Kirstie

.... Why didn't they put it back? ......

The same reason they didn't put back any of their other catch - they are commercial fishermen who make their living from the sale of animals they have taken from the sea. Its kinda what they do......

Chris

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by chrisch

The same reason they didn't put back any of their other catch - they are commercial fishermen who make their living from the sale of animals they have taken from the sea. Its kinda what they do......

Chris

Yeah, but £255 isn't much of a living divided between the whole crew. Probably thought they'd get a whole lot more for it, though.

[Rydive]

Originally Posted by chrisch

The same reason they didn't put back any of their other catch - they are commercial fishermen who make their living from the sale of animals they have taken from the sea. Its kinda what they do......

Chris

But surely being a commercial fisherman and having some sense of moral values aren't two mutually exclusive things? They must have known how little it was worth, and they clearly knew how exeptional it was! Not worth very much + clearly amazing= put it back in the water. No?

[chrisch]

I agree, but its £255 more than if they had dumped it over the side, probably with its guts bleeding from being hauled in the nets to die a slow painful death out at sea.

The reason there is a crisis for these wonderful animals is the huge commercial pressure on them for the shark fin trade. I don't think Thresher fins are that valuable (several of the ones I've seen in the supermarket still had their fins on).

The (reprehensible) practice of finning that is widely practiced in the open ocean should be outlawed and boats carrying fins only (ie without the rest of the animal) should be impounded then sunk. This will not happen.

UK fish stocks should be protected by a moritorium on commercial fishing for five years. This will not happen.

Over-fishing will eventually collapse the marine ecosystem. This will happen.

Sorry

Chris

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Rydive

But surely being a commercial fisherman and having some sense of moral values aren't two mutually exclusive things? ...

Yes they are. It is a basic inescapable requirement.

Chris