Target: Robert Galibois, District Attorney, Cape and Islands, Massachusetts
Goal: Prosecute the alleged unlawful capture and beaching of a great white shark for photographs, seeking substantial penalties for proven offenses.
A great white shark belongs in the ocean. Prosecutors allege that a protected shark was instead targeted, caught, and dragged onto a beach during an excursion that included photographs. Turning a living wild animal into the centerpiece of a spectacle warrants consequences that reach beyond online attention.
Christopher Stefanou faces animal cruelty and fishing-related charges stemming from the alleged capture. He has pleaded not guilty. The shark was released afterward.
Wildlife protections need credible enforcement whether or not an alleged violation attracts an audience. Demand a thorough prosecution, substantial penalties for offenses proved, and appropriate fishing restrictions that protect marine animals from demonstrated risks.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear District Attorney Galibois,
The alleged deliberate capture and dragging of a great white onto shore for photographs deserve a serious response. We ask you to establish exactly what occurred and present the legal basis for each charge clearly.
Marine specialists can help explain the significance of the alleged handling and any supported evidence of distress or injury. Evaluate authenticated recordings alongside witness accounts and the relevant fishing rules. Qualified findings must guide conclusions about harm. Equally, returning a shark to the water should not automatically end an inquiry into whether its capture or treatment violated the law. The defense deserves a fair hearing.
Where offenses are proved, seek substantial, proportionate penalties and any authorized restrictions on fishing or related commercial activities justified by the findings. Publicity must not reward unlawful treatment. We urge a sentencing position that recognizes established harm, deters comparable violations, and preserves meaningful protection for wildlife. Pursue accountability through an evidentiary record so that this case reinforces respect for living marine animals and the responsibilities of everyone who encounters them.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Olga Ernst
