Trapped shark ‘nursed’ back to safety by NSRI Shelly Beach
It appeared that the small nurse shark may have been deliberately dumped in the pool by a fisherman.
IT was a happy ending for a small shark which appeared to be trapped in the Manaba tidal pool yesterday (Wednesday 28th).
Jeremiah Jackson, NSRI Shelly Beach station commander, said the sea rescue vehicle with NSRI members went to the scene to investigate.
Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Police Search and Rescue, and Tower 13 lifeguards were called in.
Mr Jackson said it appeared that the small nurse shark may have been deliberately dumped in the pool by a fisherman but that this could not be confirmed.
It was initially thought that the shark may exit the pool unassisted during the spring high tide.
But as the pool is so well protected it was decided to make a plan to catch and release the shark.
Onlookers were kept at a distance for safety.
A local fisherman offered to assist and, using a rock and surf fishing rod and tackle, with a small fish hook, he was able to hook the shark and reel it in.
At that point it was unhooked and safely returned to the sea. It seemed to be perfectly healthy.
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NSRI commended a bystander, known to NSRI only as ‘Storm’, who initially called in the incident.
NSRI also thanked the fisherman who left the scene before his details could be obtained.
“He is commended for his assistance in catching the shark,” said Mr Jackson.
