To: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Crack down on the killing of protected sharks
A shark researcher recently identified a coordinated effort by shark fisherman to flout conservation laws–potentially including the Endangered Species Act. Investigate and prosecute the killing of protected species!
Why is this important?
Shark researcher David Shiffman recently studied postings to the online message boards of one of the largest land-based fishing clubs in Florida, the South Florida Shark Club, and found hundreds of postings detailing the catching and killing of protected sharks.
The online news magazine, The Revelator (linked below), interviewed Shiffman, who found users on the message boards openly claiming to have knowingly caught protected species and some saying they would continue to do so.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has an obligation to enforce ALL conservation laws in the state and investigate reports of illegal behavior.
Please sign the petition to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission asking them to investigate these postings by reported members of the South Florida Shark Club and all violations of the Endangered Species Act and other conservation laws.