From Alan Deeming, East Cowes:

I write in response to the letter from the lady scientist criticising the CP for publishing photos of captured sharks in which she cites post release mortality (PRM) issues (CP, 03-08-18).

As she is a scientist, I would think she is aware that PRM levels vary considerable between different species and are also affected by method and duration of capture.

It is not difficult to find scientific reports on the internet indicating PRM levels for sharks are comparatively low, especially for recreational hook and line captures.

To quote one paper “Results suggest a large proportion of shark survive following release...”

Duration between hooking and release is a factor, so, given that the pictured thresher sharks were very small specimens, the resulting short period between hooking and release would have significantly reduced the already very low chance of mortality.

With regard to the pictured tope, the Tope (Prohibition of Fishing) Order 2008 No. 691 prohibits anglers from retaining any at all but it does allow commercial fishermen to land them when caught as part of a mixed fishery.

The mortality level for all forms of shark caught commercially ranges between 90 and 100 per cent, according to method of capture.

When compared against commercial landings, the likely mortality associated with the pictured fish is zero and that associated with general angling captures of these species is statistically insignificant.

I would respectfully suggest the efforts of your correspondent would be better placed in campaigning against the current wholesale commercial slaughter of the world’s sharks. With regard to the picture of myself with a blue shark, I have successfully completed a training course enabling me to participate in a scientific fish-tagging programme.

Having quickly landed, tagged and released the fish, the data will form part of an ongoing study into the movement of various shark species with a view to eventually forming a basis on which conservation actions may be taken.

The fact this was a rare visitor to our area adds to the knowledge base.