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Baja Shark Fisherman
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Baja Shark Fisherman

by Daniel Cartamil

Gallery: Man & FaunaPosted May 18, 2010208 views4 comments
In keeping with the recent shark and ray theme here in the Environmental PJ forum, I am posting this photo of a shark fisherman in Baja California. This was a tough exposure, due to the time of day and bright sunlight. The sharks belly, in particular, was WAY blown out in the original file, but I was able to extract a good amount of detail by selectively decreasing exposure in that area in post processing.

These small-scale artisanal shark fishers catch a lot of flak for killing sharks, rays , and other marine animals, although the truth is that large commercial operations dwarf the catch of these largely susbsistence fishers...

Comments

4 comments
Comment posted by Ron Pullen on May 18, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Powerful image with a sad story, what a shame. :frown: Ron
Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 18, 2010 at 7:46 PM
A wonderful image that tells a story.
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Hank Pennington on May 19, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Regulating big industry and especially wasteful fin operations distinct from "small-scale artisanal shark fishers" (good choice of terms BTW) may be impossible. The former is feeding the maw of a rapacious worldwide industry while the latter is an important source of protein for local consumption in poor countries. For me, your photo defines the difference nicely, but the detail and distinction is certainly lost on the under-educated public at large, well-meaning as they may be. Nuff of my soap box, and on to the photo.

There are a couple of threads over in the Landscape gallery about shooting in harsh light, with many bemoaning the difficulty, some yielding to a sense of futility, and a few maintaining that it can be done effectively. Your image definitely places you in the last group. It's hard work but it can be done, as you so ably demonstrate!

I'm really impressed with this photo Daniel, both for it's illustration of artisinal fishing as distinct from industrial fishing and for it's technical execution. Hats off on both counts!!!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 226 Posts, 1532 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on May 27, 2010 at 10:15 PM
I once met Frank Mundus (inspiration for Jaws character) at the Montauk pier in NY. He was standing next to his days catch, a trio of sand sharks hanging from hooks--they were no more than 5-6 feet long. I was not very impressed. IN those days, shark fishing was still somewhat 'romantic'. Fishing as a whole was in a lot better shape then. Nice post, Daniel.
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments