10-Foot Shark Caught: Great White Shark Caught, Tagged, And Released Off Florida Coast

A 10-foot shark was caught, and then released off the coast of Florida. According to the Canada Journal, a group called the “Dark Side Sharkers” made history when they reeled in the first Great White from a Florida beach. The shark was only the fourth to ever be caught from a shore in North America. The group spent nearly an hour reeling in their catch, but they had no idea that there was a Great White on the end of their line.

According to Space Coast Daily, Gabriel Smeby, Derrick Keeny, and Kyle Register are determined to help save sharks. Being able to successfully tag a White shark in the U.S. is something the guys are super excited about.

“I had to run up there to the truck real quick and get the digital camera, come down there and by then they were working on de-hooking the fish and working on placing the tag. We got a couple quick pictures with it and sent the great white on its way,” said Smeby, who helped with the whole process just after 3 o’clock in the morning.

The 10-foot shark was caught and tagged before it was released, according to the “Dark Side” Facebook page. It’s unclear if the male shark had been tagged previously, or if the shark was on anyone’s radar before being caught. From the sounds of it, this is a “new” shark to the world of mapping.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the Dark Side Sharkers have been sharkin’ for many years. They hope to make some advancement in the ongoing efforts to understand sharks, especially Great Whites. By tagging the species, researchers are able to track migratory patterns, and to begin to piece together what these sharks do year-round.

“The Dark Side Sharkers have participated in the National Marine Fisheries Services shark tagging program for years. The initiative enlists recreational fishermen to tag and release sharks, so data may be collected from the animals in an effort to better understand the species,” reports the Inquisitr.

While some people don’t agree with shark fishing, many realize that these guys do the best that they can to ensure these animals are safe, and that they are tagged and released in the shortest time possible. Almost all of these released sharks go on to live long lives, unaffected by the tag on their dorsal fin.

[Photo courtesy of Dark Side Sharkers Facebook]