INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, Fla. – Video shows a man beating a shark over the head with a hammer on a Florida beach, prompting an investigation by wildlife officials.
Indian Harbour Police Department said the incident happened Tuesday afternoon at Bicentennial Beach Park.
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According to the department, two men were fishing when the shark was brought to shore. Video from Harbour House Oceanfront’s 24/7 live surf cam shows one of the men hitting it on the head multiple times with a hammer.
Video then shows one of the men trying to release the shark back into the ocean and dragging it into the water.
[Watch video below provided by Harbour House Oceanfront Surf Cam. Warning: This video is extremely graphic. Viewer discretion is advised]
Ken Wells said he’s seen the man catch sharks in the past and keep them.
“I don’t know that he did anything wrong if he’s keeping the shark and eating it,” Wells said. “But if he’s not and he’s just killing it, then that would be another problem.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident and said investigators have identified the man in the video. His name has not been released.
FWC said it “takes potential resource violations seriously.”
This incident comes months after FWC investigated two men dragging a shark across the New Smyrna Beach shore and stabbing it in the head. However, officials said this was legal.
“It is common practice for anglers to euthanize sharks after landing for ethical and safety concerns. This video is not currently under investigation as no violation of state law regarding the method of harvest occurred,” FWC officials said in a statement in August.
Anyone with information is asked to contact FWC at 352-732-1225.
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