THE great white shark in Lake Macquarie has a hook in its mouth.
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A spokesman for the Department of Primary Industries could not confirm the report on Wednesday but Shannon Malone from Fishermans Warehouse Tackle World at Marks Point, said he had seen footage of fishing gear ensnared in the juvenile white’s mouth, and had spoken to several other customers who had confirmed the situation.
‘‘I spoke to a Maritime guy on Saturday and he had footage and it seems the shark has a hook hanging out of the gob with line and lure trailing behind him,’’ Mr Malone said.
‘‘Several other customers have got up close too and said the same thing.’’
It is believed to be the same shark that Lake Macquarie angler Clinton Bambach filmed swimming near a jetty at Murray’s Beach last Friday.
That footage went viral.
Mr Bambach expressed fears at the time that sections of the community might try to catch the shark as a result of the release of his video.
According to Mr Malone those fears have been realised.
‘‘People need to be aware that it’s there, yes, but it is a shame that cowboys try and take it on, knowing full well that it’s jail time and huge fines if they get caught.
‘‘The shark is only doing what it’s going to do, it hasn’t hurt anyone as such, but if people try and pursue it they may well get hurt.
‘‘They’re just cowboys and they’re not going to prove anything to anyone other than themselves, and I don’t know what good that will do them behind bars.
‘‘Guys need to let it be and leave it up to fisheries to deal with.’’
Fisheries issued the following statement on Wednesday:
‘‘Department of Primary Industries Fisheries staff cannot confirm reports of fishing gear ensnared in the juvenile great white shark recently sighted in Lake Macquarie.
‘‘Fisheries officers are encouraging anyone who sees the shark or suspected interference with the shark to report it through the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800043536.’’
It is an offence to threaten, harm or interfere with a threatened species, including a great white shark, with a maximum penalty of $55,000 or one year’s imprisonment or both.
Source: Newcastle Herald
