2nd white pointer caught off Taiwan's east coast in a week

Want China Times, CNA 2012-11-04

The large great white shark on sidplay in Hualien
county. (photo/CNA)

A great white shark measuring six meters and weighing one ton was captured only 300 meters off the shore of Taiwan's Hualien county, according to local fishermen Friday.

The fishermen said the great white shark was the biggest they had ever caught in waters off Shihtiping Harbor, about 35 kilometers south of the county capital Hualien. The shark was later sold for NT$100,000 (US$3,420) at a fish market in northern Taiwan.

Local fisherman Lin Kuo-tung said the presence of a great white shark so close to shore was very rare for the area, but it was the second time in a week that a great white had been caught off Taiwan's east coast after one was caught in waters off Yilan county on Oct. 28.

Coast Guard officials said the frequent sightings of white sharks in the area recently was a phenomenon worth studying. They cautioned people enjoying water activities in the region to remain vigilant when entering the water.

Another, rarer, shark was also netted off the east coast recently. A megamouth shark weighing 800 kilograms was caught off Hualien County on Oct. 17.

Because megamouth sharks are rarely spotted and only 50 have ever been captured, the shark was sold for NT$60,000 to researchers.

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