A Florida man who says he hit a shark with a hammer last year before releasing it back into the ocean will be released, authorities said Tuesday.
Brian Waddill is charged with breaching restrictions on possession of prohibited species, failing to return prohibited species unharmed, contravening the prohibition against harvesting and landing or selling sharks, his all misdemeanors, the state attorney’s office said.
Fishermen find remains of man lost inside shark IN Argentina
A Florida man is accused of hitting a shark with a hammer last year. (surfcam Harbor House Oceanfront)
A subpoena was issued after prosecutors reviewed an investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The incident took place on December 20 at Bicentennial Beach Park in Indian Harbor Beach and was caught on video.
“Two (2) men were seen catching a shark while fishing on the shore, bringing the shark ashore, hitting the shark over the head with a hammer, and then “haul the shark back into the water and release it,” Indian Harbor Beach Police said in a Facebook post at the time.
The shark is believed to be a lemon shark, which is among 28 protected sharks in the state of Florida, Fox Orlando said. An investigator noted that the man said he was fishing and caught the shark. He reportedly admitted to hitting the shark and releasing it back into the water.
FILE – A shark swims toward a group of divers during a shark dive off Jupiter, Florida on February 11, 2022. – Florida Shark Diving brings shark fans and ocean lovers a- out to see sharks up close, with or without a cage, on a regular basis, helping to fund the growing shark tourism industry and making people more aware of the fear of marine life . (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images))
Click here to get the FOX NEWS app
The inspector could not find the shark.
