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Judge pauses deadline for federal workers to accept Trump's resignation offer; CA state lawmakers take action to enact safeguards against federal immigration enforcement; Study shows air quality disparities from industrial ag in NC.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Louisiana anglers push for change as shark depredation rises

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Tuesday, August 13, 2024   

Anglers in Louisiana are raising concerns as shark depredation increases.

As shark populations rebound, tensions have grown between anglers and the predators.

Chris Macaluso, director of the Center for Marine Fisheries for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said the issue is many anglers are losing fish to sharks at what seems like a higher rate and now it is sparking calls for action.

"We had a lot of folks down on the Louisiana coast fishing this past weekend who reported losing 10, 15, sometimes 20 fish per trip to sharks," Macaluso explained. "You hook the fish, you try to reel them into the boat and the shark eats them before you can get them to the boat."

Macaluso pointed out the SHARKED Act aims to address the strain between anglers and sharks through data. The bill would create a scientific panel to better understand the behaviors of sharks. He noted another issue they are exploring is how structures such as wind farms might affect shark behavior and contribute to the problem.

Marcus Drymon, associate extension professor at Mississippi State University and marine fisheries specialist for the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, is researching ways to reduce shark depredation. He said sandbar and bull sharks are the main species contributing to depredation and new technologies are being explored to ease the effect on anglers.

"We are currently working on testing different deterrent devices," Drymon explained. "Trying to understand if we can use the new types of fishing technology to be able to keep sharks away from hooks, away from fish once they've been hooked."

While there is still work to be done, Drymon remains hopeful new deterrent methods and smart angler strategies, such as moving to different spots, could help curb the tension between sharks and anglers. The SHARKED Act passed the House earlier this year and is now making its way through a Senate committee.

Disclosure: The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Endangered Species and Wildlife, Environment, and Public Lands/Wilderness. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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