Nico Munro and John Winter of Mossel Bay landing a Great White Shark

[RobinF]

It seems Leon Bekker's sentencing has done nothing to deter ego-anglers   from targeting Great Whites. These two heroes, Nico Munro and John   Winter of Mossel Bay apparently have no regard for the  protected, no   fish status of these shark. And the fact that they are using not only   one but two gaffs to land the animal - when   the law clearly states that these sharks must be cut free as soon as   they are identified as Great Whites - means this sharks chances of   survival are seriously limited. Please share this widely and let it go   viral and help put an end to this. (This was sent to me by a   concerned rock and surf anglers.)

[Ziggy]

Sies!!!


Are these pics not enough to get a reaction from the authorities?

[Toppie]

Of course Ziggy, they should be charged and made an example of.

[tyrrell]

No respect for the law or that animal's life. Agreed, these photo's should make their way into the hands of the correct authorities

[Half-Pint]

Personally Ive often thought the law on cutting your line was a bit silly. Afterall landing a fish and removing the hooks is better than leaving it with hundreds of meters of line trailing it. However, when fish are treated like this it reminds me how a few idiots spoil things

[RobinF]

Within the last 60 minutes, these photos have arrived on the desk of 8 international news agencies that previously took an interest in this kind of activity. (Let the wave come from overseas and watch our authorities jump.) These clowns bit the wrong sandwich and they will be sorry that I got these photo's.

[Bwana]

Shocking, ignorant behaviour.....

[Charles]

Despicable! It is idiots like these that gives all of us a bad name. They must be charged face the consequences.

[RobinF]

That Leon Bekker got a $13 000 fine for doing this, so I hope that this follows suit....or worse. Scum.

[RobinF]

It has been well observed that they have two pole gaffs and a rope gaff. What does that tell you.....how many guys take 3 gaffs with when they fish? Clear cut intent here, and I believe that the SA authorities have now been given these photo's. I'm am sure the international media will look into this, hopefully it will cause all sorts of issues and highlight certain 'holes' in our conservation efforts. The more pressure brought to bare, the more likely it is that these guys will be punished harshly and may they become an example to the next guy that thinks about doing this.

[isivuba]

This is not on boys.......there are laws that protect this amazing creatures and hope they through the whole book, table, chair and the gaffel at these okes. Damn I hope the authorities make these guys pay.

[RobinF]

Despicable! It is idiots like these that gives all of us a bad name. They must be charged face the consequences.

Charles, this is a mammoth statement. You are 110% correct. Completely correct! As we know, we as recreational fishermen are getting less and less of that 'pie', with commercials getting preference. So when these idiots do this, where does it leave us, AND how can we be taken seriously when we argue that we are conservation minded and deserve a piece of that 'pie' when 'one of our own' does this. If we don't, as a collective group, stop these guys and others like them, the quotas will come down to almost nothing.

[OMT]

That Leon Bekker got a $13 000 fine for doing this, so I hope that this follows suit....or worse. Scum.

Is the $ sign correct? 13US = 130K here! Bliksem! Is that the reason shark fin soup is so expensive?
 
Why have all these perpetrators Afrikaans names? Dit maak my moerig!
 
 

[RobinF]

OMT, it is (USD) $13 000 or €10 000, whichever. But I tell you what, if they are smart, they will point out that even that amount was not a deterrent and hopefully these guys will get hit with a lot more.

[OMT]

Why is the fine not in rands?

I hope the proceeds of these fines go to conservation and not to some GravyTrainers offshore account!

[RobinF]

OMT, it was in Rands. I took what I had globally, in other words, the people and sites that I sent these photo's to are all overseas and in articles they wrote, they gave the currency as $ or as €. But, he would have been fined in ZAR.

You see only through global pressure and outcry will we see the hammer drop hardest on these clowns.

[Marthin]

The problem with Leon Bekker's fine/sentence, was it was a suspended sentence. Which means it cost him nothing as long as he isn't caught again. Which means these idiots did not get the fright they should have!

[Marthin]

Robin I'll check if I have the picture of the rope gaff they were using. On monday when I get to the office PC.

[RobinF]

Very glad to see a number of non UA 'interested' parties asking questions about this, had an email from two and one from a conservation group.....all rather riled up. Very good to see. There is blood in the water and this time it's not a Great White that is the target.

[RobinF]

Robin I'll check if I have the picture of the rope gaff they were using. On monday when I get to the office PC.

Thanks Marthin, that will be great.