A Washington state fisherman accused of filming himself “wrestling” sharks has been arrested following a months-long investigation.
Connor Seifert has been charged with nine counts of unlawful fishing and one gross misdemeanor for allegedly dragging protected sharks out of the water to pose with for social media content.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says it opened its investigation in April after receiving 14 complaints about Seifert.
“Many people were notifying us, like, ‘Hey, this person is doing this,’” said Lt. Kit Rosenberger with Washington State Fish and Wildlife Police.
“Targeting these sharks, catching them, mishandling them, dragging them out of the water, wrestling with them.”
Investigators say they found videos and photos on Seifert’s social media accounts of the illegal catches of sixgill and sevengill sharks.
He was arrested by officers at a pier in South Puget Sound in June, allegedly pulling a sixgill shark out of the water to take a photo with.
Each of the misdemeanor unlawful fishing counts carries a potential fine of up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.
Seifert, from Saint Helens, Oregon, also faces a gross misdemeanor charge for allegedly lying to officers, which carries a potential fine of up to $5,000 and up to one year in jail.
He was arraigned in Pierce County District Court, where he pleaded not guilty. He is due back in court next month.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said sixgill and sevengill sharks are both listed as a “Species of Greatest Conservation Need.”
Sixgill sharks can grow up to 18 feet in length, weigh 1,300 pounds, and live up to 80 years, according to The Seattle Times.
The sevengill shark can grow to nearly 10 feet and weigh 240 pounds.
