FWC identifies men in video dragging shark behind boat

Social media users accuse 1 man of previously abusing wildlife

MIAMI – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has identified three men who recorded themselves dragging a shark behind their boat.

FWC Law Enforcement Division spokesman Rob Klepper said the agency is not releasing the identities of the men, because the investigation is ongoing and authorities have not yet determined whether a crime was committed.

Sport fisherman Mark Quartiano, also known as "Mark the Shark," re-posted the video on his Instagram page after it was allegedly sent to him by the people who recorded the incident.

"I've been doing this for 40 years and never even seen anything close to that kind of disrespect to an animal," Quartiano told Local 10 News reporter Ian Margol. "There's no sportsmanlike conduct with these guys. They just want to kill something, display it on their Facebook, get more followers. It's just a horrible act."

In the video, which has since gone viral, the cameraman pans over at one point and shows three men aboard the boat, laughing as the shark is being dragged in the water.

It's unclear whether the shark was dead or alive while it was being dragged, but Quartiano said he was sent photos of the shark after the incident that showed its remains.

Klepper said the FWC was first notified about the video on Monday.

"The FWC takes this very seriously and is currently investigating this incident," he said.

Numerous people on social media called out one of the men, who they claimed was involved, saying that he has a history of abusing wildlife and posting it on his social media accounts.

The man's social media accounts are all private.

Anyone with further information about this case is asked to call the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or email Tip@MyFWC.com.

 


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.