Author: Tevita Vuibau
Source: Fiji Times Online [1]
January 8, 2013

An International shark expert believes the juvenile sharks that washed ashore on Nukulau could be the unborn pups of a pregnant female Hammerhead that was killed at sea.

Dr Demian Chapman who is an internationally recognised shark expert also conducted a study on the shark fin trade in Suva and he said there was a possibility of foul play in the deaths. “The concentration of so many washing up in an area does suggest a fishery discard. Notably, litters of 30 plus are possible in this species,” Dr Chapman said.

“Perhaps a gravid female was killed and her pups removed during gutting and discarded. Fin traders would pay good money for adult scalloped hammerhead fins,” he said.

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