November 01, 2012

USA: 2 white sharks caught from pier in California


Two great white sharks were caught on Manhattan Beach Pier (California) one estimated to measure 5/6 feet and the other 7/8 feet.
White sharks are protected off California and landing them is illegal so both sharks were cut loose after being reeled to the surface and both catches were witnessed by Eric Martin, director of the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium at the end of the pier.

The two white sharks were caught while using large dead mackerel for bait. These were the fifth and six white shark battles Martin has witnessed from the pier since mid-July. 

There has been a large abundance of market-sized squid in South Bay waters in recent weeks. This could be attracting rays, small sharks and and other prey items preferred by juvenile white sharks.