Fishers accidentally catch shark in Duck on the Outer Banks

A group fishing in Duck on the Outer Banks on Monday night accidentally hooked a shark before attempting to drag it back into the water.

The shark, caught near Sea Colony Drive, appeared to be a sand tiger shark, according to a representative from the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

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"They are common in our area and often seen on local shipwrecks. It’s also a species that many aquariums have in their ocean habitats," said Christian Legner with the NC Aquarium. "From their interesting reproduction to the ability to identify individuals by the spots on their sides, sand tigers are an awesome species!"

Sand tiger sharks give birth to only one or two pups every two to three years, according to the National Aquarium, making their population growth slow.

"Like many species of sharks and rays, sand tiger populations are considered vulnerable worldwide," said Legner.

If you're planning on beach/surf fishing and you run into a shark, the NC aquarium provided some information to keep in mind:

• Attempt to keep the shark in water as much as possible
• Keep it facing into the waves if you can
• Remove the hook if possible, otherwise, cut the line or the hook as close as you safely can
• Try not to drag them by the tail
• Try to keep them flat (belly down, not lifting the head or the tail at sharp angles)

The video was provided by Hayley Vandermark.

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