Despite Killing Thousands and Injuring His Surfing Friend, Brave Fisherman Drops a Bold Reply to the Jaws of Death

The waters off the Western Australia coast are witnessing a raging debate, as shark fishermen are being pitted against those advocating for a ban on their sport. Now, with a surge in shark attacks across the globe, the United States experiences the most attacks in the world, followed by Australia. In 2023, so far there have been 4 reported shark attacks in Australia. Out of these 4 attacks, three occurred in Western Australia, and 1 of them was fatal in nature.

As shark attacks on humans continue to rise, calls to prohibit shark fishing have intensified. But one passionate fisherman remains steadfast in his defense of the practice. The local shark fisherman recently made the local community and authorities nervous, as he dropped a terrifying video online, just days after a shark attack.

Bryan Rogers’ shark-fishing tale

Bryan Rogers, a local shark fisherman, recently shared a jaw-dropping video online. Recently, Rogers and his friend reeled in a colossal 3.6-meter tiger shark off Port Kennedy in Perth. The thrilling catch was met with both awe and concern, as it coincided with a reported shark attack on a surfer at Gnarabup Beach in Western Australia. This particular video was uploaded on Facebook on the day of the shark attack. However, Rogers maintains that the video was actually recorded a week before the attack.

While the footage sparked controversy, Bryan stands resolute, arguing that shark fishing is not to blame for the increasing shark-human encounters. With over 200 sharks caught in his fishing endeavors, Bryan insists that sharks are more abundant than most people realize.

According to a Yahoo! news report, Rogers said,?“It’s a sport, me and a few friends have always loved to do it,” as he defended the joy and thrill they find in the art of shark fishing. He further claimed that he catches sharks most nights at beaches across Perth, and that he has never seen a shark attack a human while he was fishing. Rogers clarified that he tags and releases all the sharks that he catches and that he never pulls them out of the water for more than two minutes. He said that he believes this is the most humane way to catch sharks. However, the prospect of a statewide ban on shark fishing looms large, threatening to bring an end to Bryan’s beloved pastime.

Prospects of State-Wide Shark Fishing Bans

Earlier this year, Fisheries Minister Don Punch spearheaded the effort to implement a ban on shark fishing along the metropolitan coastline. Stretching from Joondalup to Mandurah, encompassing several locations along the iconic Swan River. The rationale behind the proposed ban is a belief that shark fishing contributes to the alarming number of shark attacks on humans in the region. Over the past two years, the coastal areas near Fremantle have witnessed two devastating shark attacks. In November 2021, tragedy struck when Paul Millachip, a Perth local, fell victim to a fatal shark attack on North Fremantle’s Port Beach. In another heart-wrenching incident, 16-year-old Stella Berry lost her life in a suspected bull shark attack while swimming in the Swan River in East Fremantle.

Read more: ?It Was Pretty Scary?: Australian Teen Fell Prey to Shark Attack While Surfing on a Big Wave

As the authorities weigh the potential impact of a state-wide ban, the delicate balance between human recreation and wildlife preservation hangs in the balance. The debate over shark fishing remains complex, with environmentalists and shark conservationists advocating for measures to protect these vital apex predators. While Bryan’s passion for the sport runs deep, the calls for a ban stem from concerns about the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems.

Watch this story: Watch: Footage of a Great White Shark in Extreme Proximity to an Oblivious Surfer Instills Chills Among the Surfing Community