A Monroe County charter captain allegedly seen stabbing a shark multiple times in a viral video was arrested by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers on June 5. Zane P. Garrett, 26, of Stock Island was charged with one felony count of animal cruelty.
On May 23, officers received tips through FWC’s Wildlife Alert Program of a man repeatedly stabbing a shark on a fishing line before cutting the line and releasing the animal. In the widely-circulated video, uploaded to social media, blood clouds the water behind the caption “bud u broke my rod.”
Through investigation and using video evidence provided by witnesses, FWC officers were able to locate the vessel in Key West and identify Garrett as the charter captain on the day of the incident. FWC investigators spoke with Garrett, who reportedly admitted to the act. He was arrested and taken to jail before being released on a $10,000 bond.
“The careless cruelty displayed in this video is unacceptable,” said FWC Major Alberto Maza, South Bravo Regional Commander, in a press release. “I’m proud of the public for reporting this senseless act and our officers’ work in identifying the subject and holding him accountable.”
The FWC takes wildlife violations very seriously and encourages the public to report them by downloading the FWC Wildlife Alert app, calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) or submitting a tip at myfwc.com/wildlifealert.
