Shark Brutally Killed and Hung on Mooring Line Off NSW Coast

A local diver was shocked to find a 2-metre mako shark hanging on a buoy rope off the NSW coast at the HMAS Adelaide dive site.

Robb Westerdyk captured an image of the 120-kilogramme Mako shark and saw the creature was brutally killed. The Mako shark was stabbed through the chest and hung on a mooring buoy. Mr. Westerdyk saw the animal as he and some of his friends returned from diving near the wreck.

According to Mr Westerdyk, he has never seen anything so "barbaric" in his 40 years of diving. The shark can be seen in the photos hanging by its tail.

Mr Westerdyk said the brutal shark killing could only have been done by fishermen who have no business anywhere near the site. The dive site was declared a marine sanctuary and fishermen were prohibited to stay 200 metres away. No fishing is allowed in the area.

An avid underwater photographer, Mr. Westerdyk took photos of the dead shark for documentation before cutting the rope and releasing the animal. He watched the shark go deeper into the water before sinking to the bottom.

Mr. Westerdyk said if a land animal was brutally killed, the perpetrators would have been arrested and charged. It was obvious to the local diver that someone had tied the shark to the mooring line. Mr.Westerdyk said there was no way the shark could have gotten tangled with the rope accidentally.

Based on the looks of the shark and the stab wound on its chest, Mr. Westerdyk said the shark could have been dead for a few days.

Since there were only a few divers out in the HMAS Adelaide dive site, Mr. Westerdyk said he and his friends were probably the first ones to see the dead shark hanging on a mooring line.

Since there was no way to find out what exactly happened with the shark in the water, Mr Westerdyk was left with only speculations. He said the shark could have been meant as a gag for divers or bait for bigger predators to scare divers away.

Glen Tritton, spokesperson for the Department Primary Industries Director of Fisheries Compliance, said it was difficult to point fingers on the person or people responsible for the brutal shark killing.

Mr. Tritton saw the diver's photos of the dead shark and said it was clearly unacceptable. He said responsible fishing is encouraged. He warned people in the area to report any kind of illegal activity. The public is also urged to contact the local Fisheries Office or call the hotline 1800 043 536.