I know everybody has the same unanswered questions and wants to respect the rules and regulations. That's why I just sent this email to the Director of the DFW asking for answers and clarifications to our questions. Hopefully we'll get an answers soon
Hi,
My name is Chip Dorman and recent developments have created a number of questions for myself and fellow shark/ray fishermen.
Lately, a number of us have hooked up with Great White Sharks while fishing for 7 Gills, Soupfins, Makos, Threashers, and Rays. We all know that Great Whites are a protected species. We all know that it is illegal to target them, and we all know that you are supposed to release them immediately once you have identified them.
Given the number of Great Whites that have been caught recently from Orange County all up the coast to LA and Ventura and the increased presence of DFW wardens warning shark anglers about targeting Great Whites, many of us are unsure of what we are supposed to do.
Specifically:
1. Are there any restrictions beyond normal DFW regulations as to the size or type of fishing equipment and leaders that would constitute targeting?
2. Are there any restriction beyond normal DFW regulations as to the size or type of baits used that would constitute targeting?
3. Since we are fishing from shore, mostly at night, it's virtually impossible to identify a fish until you have it in very shallow water or on the sand. If we identify a fish as being a Great White in this situation, are we supposed to cut the lines immediately and then have no further contact with the fish?
4. Wouldn't it be better for the health of the fish to remove the hook and leader from its mouth or untangle the leader from around the fish since many times sharks will turn and twist and get the line wrapped all around them?
5. If we land a Great White and remove the hook and leader, or if we cut the line close to shore, what do we do if we can see the fish is struggling? We've all caught fish that put up great fights, but required assistance in the surf for a couple of minutes to recuperate before they could swim off on their own. Are we allowed to assist the fish or are we supposed to watch a fish possibly die because we are legally prevented from touching the fish?
6. The vast majority of us practice CPR. Catch, Photo, Release. The usual photo is a picture of the person who caught the fish kneeling next to it. Would we be in violation of not releasing the fish immediately if we posed for a photo or are we limited to just a photo taken while we are removing the hook and leader?
7. Kayaking out big baits with higher capacity reels and short boat style rods is another question. A number of shark fishermen will do this to target larger/pelagic sharks like Mako and Thresher that don't ordinarily come into shallow water that aren't reachable by hand casing. Is using this type of equipment or technique evidence of targeting?
8. Finally, what about recent activity? Is fishing in a spot where Great Whites have been caught recently evidence of targeting? Even with all of its vast resources, California really has a relatively small number of surf fishing locations that aren't crowded, especially during the warmer summer months. Most of us fish the same spots because they hold fish and because we can fish them without having to deal with swimmers and surfers. We're not fishing a spot because Great Whites have been caught there, it's because the spot has structure or a food source that attracts all sharks.
