Great white tagging program off N.S. stirs debate over treatment of sharks
LUNENBURG, N.S. — Enthusiastic scientists aboard the research vessel MV Ocearch pumped their fists as a voice crackled over the radio announcing the expedition had hooked its 11th great white shark this fall off Nova Scotia.
But to some marine biologists, what unfolded recently on this non-profit research ship wasn’t cause for celebration — instead it raised ethical questions over methods used to attract and study the ocean predators.
About 30 minutes after it was hooked, a mature male — its tail thrashing — was brought alongside the converted American crab ship, as vessel captain Brett McBride leapt onto the submerged platform that raised the animal out of the ocean.
The massive, 3.6-metre shark briefly reared its head in protest as the mariner manoeuvred it onto its side, causing the fish to suddenly go still amid the humming sound of the hydraulic lift.