Protected Sharks disallowed in Alabama Tournament – Sandbar sharks
16 July 2011The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is currently taking place on Dauphin Island.
This event is considered as one of the oldest and largest multi-species saltwater tournament in the country.
According to al.com, three of the seven sharks brought to scales on Friday ( 15 July ) were disallowed because they were sandbar sharks.
The sandbar shark ( Carcharhinus plumbeus ) is a large coastal shark that is federally protected.
Dr. Marcus Dryman, a fisheries scientist of the University of South Alabama, said this shark species was protected after it was overfished for its large dorsal fin.
It’s a valued product mainly in far Eastern countries.
Dr. Dryman also said that fishermen can distinguish sandbar sharks from other non-protected coastal sharks by their large dorsal fin and the distinct interdorsal ridge that runs between the first and second dorsal fins.
Source: al.com .