Shark finning persists off Big Island

Marine biologists say they are alarmed by recent shark finning incidents on Hawaii island, citing photographs of two oceanic whitetip sharks with their fins hacked off, and that of a dead and gutted whitetip reef shark.

Oceanic whitetip sharks are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and dive tour operators reported seeing two off the coast of West Hawaii that were still alive but their fins had been removed.

“Shark finning is not a new phenomenon, but the recent number of incidents is concerning,” said Stacia Marcoux, a Fish and Habitat Monitoring Technician with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources. “This is especially true for the threatened oceanic whitetip. We hope that once people see these photos they will join us in condemning and discouraging this kind of activity regardless of its legality.”

In June, DAR personnel found a dead 3-1/2 foot-long whitetip reef shark that was finned and gutted at Kaalualu Bay.

DLNR said photos of the oceanic whitetips were provided by Big Island Divers and Aquatic Life Divers.

“It’s heartbreaking to see these terrible wounds on these individuals. Sharks deserve our respect, and we’re encouraged that most tour operators are educating their clients about this issue. No one wants to see an injured shark swimming by,” said Marcoux.

State law prohibits the taking, killing, possession, sale, or offer for sale of whitetip reef shark and other shark species. It is illegal to intentionally catch a whitetip reef shark to remove a fin within the West Hawaii Regional Fishery Management Area. Additionally, it is illegal to possess, sell, offer for sale, trade or distribute shark fins anywhere in Hawaii.

To report illegal or suspicious activities, call the DLNR hotline at 643-DLNR (643-3567).