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Investigation into hammerhead baby sharks conducted-Fisheries

February 7, 2019 4:47 pm

The discovery of dead hammerhead baby sharks near Bailey bridge in Laucala Beach.

An investigation is being conducted following the discovery of dead hammerhead baby sharks near Bailey bridge in Laucala Beach.

Fisheries Minister, Semi Koroilavesau believes the marine species may have been caught through a Gil Net and dumped at the site yesterday morning.

Koroilavesau reiterates the hammerhead baby sharks are an endangered species and protected under the Offshore Fisheries Management Act and the Endangered and Protected Species Act.

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He adds heavy penalties will be imposed if anyone is found catching the marine species.

“For individual it’s about $10,000 to $50,000 and for companies it could be $50,000 to $100,000 as fine and under CITES or Endangered and Protected species Act ,people can be fined from 20 to 100,000 or a maximum of two years imprisonment.”

The breeding season for the hammerhead sharks is from September to April and it is normal to see them congregate along the coastlines and the shallow waters and also into the river tributary.