Key facts
- Angler Elliot Sudal caught a great white shark off Nantucket beach.
- Sudal posted a video demonstrating safe catch-and-release techniques for the shark.
- Great white sharks are a vulnerable species and cannot be landed by fishermen.
- Sudal has 13 years of fishing experience in Nantucket and has caught over a thousand other shark species.
An angler fishing off Nantucket beach inadvertently caught and released a rare great white shark, documenting the encounter on social media to promote safe practices. Elliot Sudal, who has fished in the area for 13 years, snagged the vulnerable species on Sunday while testing the waters. He posted a video showing the shark being reeled in, briefly held by its tail, and then having its hook removed before being returned to the sea in approximately 15 seconds.
Sudal emphasized that he was not targeting the great white and felt he handled the situation correctly by ensuring a quick and safe release. He noted that while he has caught over a thousand sharks of other species, this was his first great white encounter. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that white sharks are prohibited from being landed by fishermen, though they are occasionally caught accidentally. The agency also noted that the exact number of great white sharks in U.S. waters is unknown, despite their globally vulnerable status.
Sudal expressed his awe at the encounter, describing the shark as an "amazing creature" and feeling humbled by the opportunity. He hopes his video will educate other anglers on proper procedures, recommending the use of heavy tackle, barbless circle hooks, immediate release, and participation in tagging programs.