Bill in SC Legislature would protect tiger sharks

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – In a summer when there have been numerous reports of shark attacks along the Carolinas coast there is a bill in the South Carolina General Assembly would offer protection to tiger sharks.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports (http://bit.ly/1Iq5QjWA ) the proposal by Rep. Chip Limehouse would require those who catch tiger sharks to release them. The idea is to protect the sharks from overfishing and keep the ocean ecosystem healthy because the sharks prey on other creatures that are weak or diseased.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature determined tiger sharks were “near threatened” in 2000. That’s the last time the worldwide status of the sharks was assessed.

The bill passed the South Carolina House earlier this year and goes to the Senate in January.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com