Groups Want Ocean City Shark Tournament To End

[Sam]

OCEAN CITY, Md. The nation's largest animal rights group wants to end the Ocean City Shark Tournament, saying shark fishing techniques are barbaric and the tournament harms dwindling populations of thresher, blue and mako sharks.

The Humane Society of the United States has purchased newspaper ads and banners and begun a letter-writing campaign to the Ocean City mayor and City Council, seeking to end the tournament after this year.

"We're talking about killing sharks for fun and money. What does this say to our children?" said John Grandy, a senior vice president of the group.

Charter boat captain Mark Sampson, who founded the 27-year-old tournament, said his rules are stricter than those imposed by federal fishing regulations. He said that as a result, an average of 20 sharks are brought to shore and 80 are released.

"The bottom line is even if our tournament was 100 percent catch-and-release, the humane society would still be here protesting. These sharks are not on the endangered list. So the tournament comes to an end. So 20 sharks didn't die this year. That's a drop in the bucket," Sampson said.

This year's four-day contest begins Wednesday. It is expected to attract several hundred anglers and an equally large crowd of spectators for the daily weigh-ins.

Ocean City Mayor Richard W. Meehan says the council has not taken any action in the controversy, hoping the two sides will be able to work out their differences. Meehan also noted that the weigh-ins are in West Ocean City, outside the council's jurisdiction.

The humane society also is pressuring the organizers of three shark tournaments on the eastern end of Long Island, N.Y., and one on Martha's Vineyard, Mass.

Source

[Sam]

Wow, what do you all think about this?

[Steve]

I believe that a well run tournament with 80 C&R is much better on the shark population. These folks would be out there catching anyway so a tournament encouraging C&R is a good thing. Perhaps with a person on board in an official capacity to measure & possibly weigh the fish and then release it alive and well.

[Charkbait]

if they were really concerned they would spend their money hunting down the finners and commercial bycatch etc. They want publicity so fishing tournaments are the target.

Its a shame its so damn political, they have enough support to actually make a dent if they wanted to. I can't support them though, I do hunt and fish and they are totally against any of that. If it were up to them none of that would occur.

Good for pooches though.

[ocsnapper]

Originally Posted by Charkbait

if they were really concerned they would spend their money hunting down the finners and commercial bycatch etc. They want publicity so fishing tournaments are the target.

Its a shame its so damn political, they have enough support to actually make a dent if they wanted to. I can't support them though, I do hunt and fish and they are totally against any of that. If it were up to them none of that would occur.

Good for pooches though.

Here here well said.

[chomper]

Right on Charkbait. The humane Society nazis should stick to saving dogs and cats. Other wise they just want to control your life more and make money while they do it. Screw those Nazis.....

[Bohica]

Another fine example of what started out as a good idea being preverted and twisted by the left ala Greenpeace, PeTA, the labor unions etc....

It's a damn shame.

That being said: screw 'em.....shark ON!!!

[callou2131]

It is all about the almighty dollar. Now the local people that dont like the shark tourneys will donate to them. If they went to china and protested the finning and tossing overboard of sharks, they would be captured and probablly shot. The hell with them.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by callou2131

It is all about the almighty dollar. Now the local people that dont like the shark tourneys will donate to them. If they went to china and protested the finning and tossing overboard of sharks, they would be captured and probably shot.

Exactly

[Sam]

By the way, this organization IS NOT your local dog and cat humane society. They like to invoke emotional responses using the most gruesome scenes they can find and using them to their advantage.

If you go down to the fish docks and watch Rose clean fish, you'll see a lot of blood, guts and nasty fishy stuff. It's part of the business. I could go down there and take a some nasty pictures, and start a protest saying that this is inhumane and should be stopped because tuna are a vital part of our ecosystem. But, who would care? Nobody because everyone likes fresh tuna.

On the other hand, take a big Mako. Folks see a Mako with it's teeth showing and blood dripping and people automatically think, "AHH! Jaws", that shark is supposed to be protected because they have been fished near extinction. Not knowing that the sharks that are caught during that tournament are not on the endangered species list or even protected. That tournament has more restrictions on it than the average Joe who goes shark fishing on his own. (who is fishing on his own, you can guarantee! Just look at the great white caught a few weeks ago)

This organization is taking advantage of people's emotions and making their "non-profit" profit. If you do some research, you'll find the different events they have protested.

My main point is this: Give them money if you want, but know that they are not doing a darn thing for the pooch or kitty.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

well you sure stirred the pot wth this on SOL

[Steve]

Ben, Randy, you two are making my sides split!
Back in your hole, LMAO!

[trowpa]

Yeah - hilarious stuff over at SOL.

Sam, Ben, Randy - way to represent!

[happy2fish]

HSUS should direct their attention to the helicopter sighting-Menhaden Vacuuming boats and really do something worthwhile for the marine ecosystem. Looks like the only fishing they are interested in is for money.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by happy2fish

HSUS should direct their attention to the helicopter sighting-Menhaden Vacuuming boats and really do something worthwhile for the marine ecosystem. Looks like the only fishing they are interested in is for money.

Very good point!