Posted by Dr Andy S Leggett on April 25, 2002 at 18:38:27:
In Reply to: Re: Shark Slaughter posted by Maddie Dugan on April 25, 2002 at 16:35:07:
Maddie,
I would like to know just how this hammerhead is to be 'replaced' given that its 31 offspring perished along with their mother? Even if it was not pregnant, at what point do you stop and ask where the next 'replacement' is going to come from if the breeding population is brought below a sustainable level. Sharks are not listed as an endangered species for fun. They are listed as such because their continued existence is in danger.
As for your remarks about the bay being 'safe again for swimmers and fishermen alike': First, swimmers were in no more danger from the hammerhead as they are from the barracudas that live in the waters. Second, the only sportfishermen I have heard of suffering shark attacks are those who hook them up, pull them into the cockpit, and then have to deal with a very scared shark thrashing around fighting for its survival. Ah, but wait, your next sentence reveals your true concern: the fishing was 'terrible' this year and you are conveniently blaming that on the hammerhead. Never mind that the hammerhead has been in these waters for at least the past 7 years.
Anyway, to follow your argument, the shark is the bad guy as it has the audacity to feed on the fish that you want to catch. Hmmmmmmm. Something about the logic of that argument just doesn't make sense to me...