OCEAN CITY, Md. - Catching and keeping these endangered sharks is illegal. That's why marine officials are going after folks who aren't tossing these bad boys overboard.
"We fisherman was blamed for catching a lot of dusky sharks and brining them back," said Charter Captain Mark Sampson.
The National Marine Fisheries service has proposed to up the minimum keeper size limit.
Requiring fishermen to throw back all sharks unless it's 96-inches or bigger, which Sampson says doesn't happen often.
"Most fisherman will never catch sharks of those proportions. They might as well have said you will be no longer be allowed to bring home sharks," said Sampson.
Marine officials say they will not go through with the change.
"I was kind of afraid that we would loose that fight, but happy to see it went our way," said Sampson.
For now, the fishing community can breathe a sigh of relief.
"I don't think this issue is over. I think in the future it will come up again," said Sampson.
Fishermen like Sampson can head out to sea and enjoy what they enjoy the most - chasing after some of the most dangerous fish in the world.
Marine officials say advocacy groups want them to do more to protect dusky sharks.
For now those officials making any suggestions just yet on possible solutions.
