Controversial Shark-Hunting Tournament in Florida Rewards Hunters With Largest Caught Shark

Fisherman Corey Hexter shared on social media a flyer for the occasion, which is scheduled to take place in Jupiter, Florida, on July 9, 2022.

Participants must pay $100 per boat, and the top three sharks with the heaviest weights will win cash prizes. WarBird Tournaments LLC is the organizer of the controversial shark-hunting tournament. A petition calling for the cancellation of the tournament is currently underway.

Hexter claimed in the caption of his post that the issue can now finally be addressed. He added that other marine biologists and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are present to investigate and gather information regarding shark issues.

The remarks incited outrage from local wildlife activists and concerned locals.

Allowed by Law

State laws limit participants to taking one harvestable shark per person and two per boat, but many people are concerned that this rule won't be followed. An advocacy group called OneProtest started a petition to oppose the competition, and as of this writing, it has received over 110,000 signatures.

Local underwater photographer Rayna O'Nan of Ocean Rays Photography stated that they are concerned about the harm that this competition will cause to the ecosystem. Sharks are very significant as they are apex predators that rule over entire populations.

The impact this competition will have on the local ecosystem worries other divers as well.

Bull sharks are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Vulnerable Species, and their populations are declining even if the participants only harvest these sharks. According to Greenpeace, major fishing nations kill 100 million sharks annually, which has contributed in part to the observed population decline of more than 70% over the previous 50 years.

NOAA and FWC Statement

Katie Wegner, a spokesperson for NOAA said that Sharks are among the Highly Migratory Species, so NOAA Fisheries neither runs nor sponsors any shark fishing competitions.

The rules for each vessel regarding federally protected sharks are known to the tournament organizers. All competitors are required to abide by all applicable local, state, and federal laws as well as the tournament's rules. Enforcement actions may be taken against vessel owners and operators who violate state and federal regulations.

To stop overfishing and encourage population growth, NOAA Fisheries manages all of these species, Newsweek reports. All domestic fishing regulations are based on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which is consistent with this.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said that despite being aware of the tournament, it does not have the authority to stop it.

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Emily Abellera, a spokesperson for the FWC, stated that they are aware that a shark fishing competition has been advertised for July 9 in southeast Florida.

Florida's FWC is not required to give its approval for fishing competitions. They must, however, abide by local, state, and federal fishing laws. FWC has no authority to "cancel" fishing tournaments because FWC does not need to give permission for them. While FWC does not sponsor these events, it may speak with tournament organizers about marine fisheries laws, best practices, or chances for gathering scientific data or samples through tournament activities.

To make sure that the fishermen are catching the right number of the right species, they do mention that they will be sending FWC officers.

Abellera also said that FWC Law Enforcement is also aware of the tournament and will continue to patrol and protect the waters and resources of the state. The designated officers will include these activities in their daily patrol schedule and, as always, they will address any violations they find by taking the proper action.

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