Sunday 10 February 2013

Fisherman becomes first person to be convicted of killing a great white shark

Conservationists have welcomed the historic decision.A fisherman has become the first person to be convicted of killing a great white shark following a landmark ruling by a South African court.

The dead white shark is seen with a hook caught in its underside
with Leon Bekker (R) (Caters)
Leon Bekker, of George, Western Cape, was found to have violated the Marine Living Resources Act which includes attempting to kill, disturb or be in possession of a white shark without a permit.

In mitigation Bekker told Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court he had no idea he had hooked the endangered animal at the time.

The unprecedented case is thought to be the first of its kind in the world.
The endangered animals have been protected in South African waters since 1991. No person is permitted catch them or attempt to catch them.

Even the possession of any parts of a white shark is prohibited without a permit.

Dr Hutchings added: "Although white sharks have been protected in South Africa since 1991, there is much anecdotal evidence to suggest that they continue to be targeted by the recreational fishery as a trophy species.

"There is an on-going illegal trade in white shark body parts such as jaws, which fetch a very high price.

"The not inconsiderable sentencing of Leon Bekker will hopefully be a deterrent to these practices in South Africa.

"As far as I am aware, this is also a world first in terms of prosecution for harming a white shark."
Read on: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/south-african-farmer-guilty-of-killing-great-white-shark-landmark-ruling--150335044.html#Co7wk0G

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