ABC feature on criticism of “catch and release” tagging technique of great white sharks
by TheDorsalFin on Nov.18, 2009, under Shark News Stories
Dr. Michael Domeier’s “catch and release” technique for tagging sharks, which was employed last year at Guadalupe Island and featured on a new National Geographic series, has come under some criticism from other shark researchers, as of late, after the technique was used on two sharks off the Farallones Marine Sanctuary. San Francisco’s ABC-7 ran the following report yesterday on the topic.
The incident involved with the shark at the Farallones, in which a portion of the hook was left in the white shark’s throat, is sure to draw criticism from those who believe this technique is too invasive and harmful to the sharks involved. The incident also lends support Peter Klimley’s remarks that the costs might outweigh the benefits of this technique.
What jumped out at me the most, while watching this feature, was the fact that when the technique was first covered by Outdoor Magazine in the article Great White!, the article stated, “While it’s fishing in every sense of the word, it’s imperative that the sharks are released into the sea unharmed and unstressed.” Domeier’s comments in the ABC-7 report indicate that stressing the shark is an important aspect of the technique. However, the statement in the Outdoor Magazine article is not directly attributed to anybody involved in the research, so it might have been an error on the part of the author, John Burgman.
I have little doubt that Domeier has good intentions with this tagging program, and that the goal of the program is to gain more knowledge of the species, by doing multi-year tracking (which Domeier says is not possible with the harpooning method), in order to help protect white sharks. Domeier has a long-standing track record of white shark research, which can’t be ignored. However, I have a feeling that those who are critical of the technique will be put off by Domeier’s demeanor and perceived attitude displayed in the interview clips featured in the ABC-7 report (which may have been a result of clever editing, for all I know). In addition, the photo of the team apparently in a gung ho cheer after landing one of the white sharks at Guadalupe island probably won’t sit well with critics, either.
For more commentary on the subject, check out Shark Diver’s Underwater Thrills post and Pete Thomas’ post at the LA Times Blog, which features a response from Dr. Domeier in the comments section.
November 18th, 2009 on 4:47 pm
Thanks for covering this. I think you’re right about Dr.Domeier’s bedside manner.
His regular work with sat tags at ‘Lupe is seminal stuff and I hope he’s able to keep that separate from this issue.
I have said it once and I will repeat it. The man is displaying a lot of hubris when he should be displaying at least a modicum of humble pie.
I am officially not supporting anymore of his work in any capacity until he and he alone clears up the Farallones shark mystery.
For me that is independent monitoring for a full year of the badly mauled shark he left up here.
November 18th, 2009 on 7:08 pm
I have to say, it seems like animal cruelty to me, too. I think researchers need to come up with a less invasive tagging technique. The guys says it’s no different from any catch and release fishing… well, I’ve always felt that was wrong, too. And, I feel certain that shark’s behavior was OF COURSE related to the trauma it experienced — swimming as fast as it could to get the heck out of there. Poor thing.
Thanks for sharing.
November 18th, 2009 on 11:11 pm
That was appaling-many are calling his “technique” abuse. Email going to PETA and others. His bravado at “dominating” these beautiful apex predators will be the end for him.
November 29th, 2009 on 2:24 pm
I go out to Guadalupe every year and I was appauled at what he is doing to the sharks. Bringing that big of an animal out of the water for as long as he does can not be healthy. Just the weight of it’s own body is bound to do harm! I don’t know the man but his arrogance on TV really hit me the wrong way. I truely hope he is stopped. Does he even have proof that the tag will last 6 years as he says?