Claudia Calleja
Mako sharks caught close to Malta mistaken for great whites
This picture was doing the rounds on a chain e-mail saying that three great white sharks had been caught 10 kilometres off Malta. The problem is that the shark shown in the picture is the much smaller mako shark and the photo was taken years ago.
Three sharks which Maltese fishermen recently caught close to the island were wrongly described as great whites even if they were the much smaller and less infamous short-fin makos.
Inspectors from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority investigated claims about the catch and found it was not the case, a Mepa spokesman said.
Besides the effect the report could have on bathers and tourists wanting to visit the islands given the bad reputation these marine predators have been given, catching great whites is illegal because the species is protected.
The reports originated from a chain e-mail, which spoke of great whites having been caught but actually carrying an image of a Mako caught four years ago, shark enthusiast Alex "Sharkman" Buttigieg, said.
The last great white catch recorded in Malta was the much-publicised female that was fished in 1987 by Alfredo Cutajar.
Sharks rarely swam into Maltese waters and, when they did, they generally did not approach the shore, Mr Buttigieg said.
He pointed out that, although all shark populations in the Mediterranean were dwindling due to over fishing, the mako was not protected. Other sharks, like the angle, were in much more immediate need of protection.
In fact, Shark Alliance, a coalition of non-governmental organisations dedicated to science-based conservation of sharks, which Mr Buttigieg forms part of, was lobbying for better protection at EU level.
Earlier this year the EU announced a plan of action for the conservation and management of sharks. The plan protects sharks from finning, the practice of killing sharks for their fins, which are used for an oriental soup. Although there was no finning in Malta, there was no guarantee that there would never be, Mr Buttigieg said.
Shark fishing has been growing rapidly since the mid-1980s, mainly driven by expanding demand from Asian markets. Between 1984 and 2004 world catches of sharks grew from 600,000 to over 810,000 metric tonnes annually. The EU fleet now takes about 100,000 tonnes of sharks and related species each year.
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v.pulis
Jun 8th 2009, 21:12
@ms g hoare
Some Sharks, like all other predators are potentially dangerous and as you said anyone venturing into their territory needs to be careful.Having said that, man must accept the fact that the sea in itself is already a hostile environment and entering this element entails risks. But sharks are not the monsters they're made out to be ready to devour humans whenever they get the chance. Unfortunately some sharks bite or rub against their prey in order to taste it and that is enough to cause injury. So respect these magnificent animals and when entering their domain take the necessary precautions and no one will get hurt.
Alex "The Sharkman" Buttigieg
Jun 8th 2009, 20:10
@ Ms. G. Hoare. First of all, Humans are not on any sharks menu. It has also been proven that Human blood does not attract them either. Also, if any shark wanted to attack a human, it would come in right up to the water's edge, even in Mellieha Bay, so your comment does not "hold water" and in fact just proves that we are in no danger at all since we never had such reports. Even if these sharks were close to land, the sea is their domain and not ours. When we enter it, we have to accept the risks. After all, every time you get into a car, you are risking your life. As for the fish farms and Tuna pens..... yes there is a slight chance that if a shark is in the area, it might be attracted to them, and that is one of the many reasons that these farms should be much further out at sea. Especially here in the Mediterranean, Sharks are getting wiped out and some are close to becoming extinct. They need to be protected. What we should be worried about are the Jelly Fish not the Sharks.
M. Farrugia
Jun 8th 2009, 18:08
This is crudelty, shame on the catchers!!
ms g hoare
Jun 8th 2009, 14:15
@ v pulis
Even so they feed on their natural food which is mackarel, tuna and similar fish dont tell me that if they have a chance they wouldnt chomp on sombodys leg or arm , we might be safe at Melliha bay as it very shallow but anywhere in the sea which is more then 3 metres deep they will roam , swim . those people that likes to dive of a boat away from shore they have to be extra carefull .
What i like to know are these sharks coming closer cause of the fish farms being feed raw fish with dripping blood , by st pauls island , i am no expert but i do wonder.
Have a nice swim all but be carefull.
v.pulis
Jun 8th 2009, 12:51
The pictures of the Mako sharks published last week have been making the rounds on the internet for these past three or four years and it's not true that they were caught recently. I have had them saved on my PC all this time. Besides, these great fish never venture close to land because they like to swim in deep water where they can find their natural food which is mackarel, tuna and similar fish. Reports of this sort not onlt damages tourism but also stir up fear in people who see in the shark nothing but a killing machine. Sharks are no more and no less dangerous than any other predator.