Shark with no fins caught/released of MD coast

Cliff Notes:

8' sand tiger female caught hook and line, documented and released alive of off Ocean City, MD.
ALL of her fins had been cut off.

This is a protected species in the US, and as we all know, shark finning in general is illegal here. The anglers who caught the shark have contacted a few shark researchers who are looking into the situation to see what can be done both for observation of the shark (if she can be found again) or protection of her. As a sexually mature female, she is very important to the species. We've had a few lengthy discussions about her since this has happened. My thought (and the general consensus) is that the ability of sand tigers to regulate buoyancy by gulping air has given her the edge she needs.

This animal is a true champion fighter that has healed over the spots where people removed her fins and has adapted to a serpentine pattern to swim by just wiggling her body.


Article written about her:

http://sharkyear.com/2014/finned-sa...ampaign=Feed:+sharkyear+(Shark+Year+Magazine)



VIDEO LINK:
http://sharkyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/finned-shark-2.jpg

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Sorry if my post was confusing. This animal was a previous victim of illegal finning (for soup). Yes, he tail was taken as well. It was alive and otherwise healthy when this crew caught her. She was documented and released quickly so she could continue to live out her life. There is other non released video that shows her swimming like a snake with a side to side motion.

The story has sparked a lot of interest in the area, and now several reports are starting to show up of sharkscaught alive and otherwise healthy with dorsals cut off by illegally finning off the upper Eastcoast of the US.