Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-01-27
PROFESSIONAL SHARK HUNTERS.
Descendants of Vikings Make Up Crews
for the Work.


This strictly commercial business of
shark hunting is done in small sloops.
whose headquarters are in the more
northerly Norwegian ports. Tie crew,
are for the most part made mp of pure
blooded descendants of the Vikings. who
are still to be foand in any number
among the codfshers of Hammerfest and
Iromso. And a magnificent race of men
they are. Accustomed from boyhood to a
life OF hardship, they have way of
treating Father Neptune with a slightly
contemptuous federation, like an old
friend of somewhat uncertain temper,
whose rapid changes from smiling be-
nevolence to wild, clustering anger are
on the whole rather amusing than other
wise
They care nothing for danger and lit
tie for suffering-n themselves or in 9th
ers. Why, then, should they stop to
think that perhaps MANNED but still
living shark can feel?
The fishing is done off the coast Of
Iceland III about eighty fathoms of WA
ter. Three or four gallows-like struc-
lures are rugged up around the sides of
the sloop. and from each of these hangs
pulley block. over which runs a strong
rope: and to the end of this the baited
hook is fastened. A plentiful supply of
ground bait is thrown out to attract the
quarry, and such is the eagerness with
which the sharks take the bait that
sometimes each one of these gallows-like
fishing rods will have its fish hooked and
fighting for life all at the same time
There is no playing the fish; it is not
necessary or possible. and the powerful
tackle is hardly likely TO break, no mat
ter how hercely the hooked shark may
struggle. But the shark is not, for his
size, game fish: and. except when he
is actually being hoisted up out of the
water, there is no very serious strain OH
the tackle. If he does now and then get
away it is not because he ever manages
to break the line. but because Il lightly
fixed hook easily tears through the soft
cartilaginous skeleton of his head. ami
so sets him free.
AS soon as n shark has taken one of
the bats the hauling tackle attached to
his particular gallows is manned. and
without any superfuous fuss or cere-
mony he is hauled up to the slo0p and
hOisted just clear OF the water.
He is not brought on board at ALL hut
with few bold slashes his liver is cut
out as he hangs, and is thrown into a
tub, to be further dealt with later Then
his eyes are put out and he is cut adrift
to go and complete the tardy process
of dying where and how he pleases.
All this sounds very horrible, but there
is one curious fact which goes far to
make us believe that this death cannot.
after all, he such cruel one as at first
appears It is this, the fishermen say.
that unless they put out the sharks eyes
he will afterward cause them lot of
trouble by coming and taking the bait Il
second time.
1t sounds incredible. but the statement
is thoroughly well authenticated by eye
witnesses who have seen a liverless
shark do just this very thing. Scientists.
doubtless, are right in saying that the
shark (Which by anatomical classifica-
ton is one of the lowest of the fishes
does not feel pain in the way more high
ly organized animals feel it. We will
cling to that belief. for it is consoling-
to us, if not to the shark. who is thus
sacrificed that his liver may supply MS
with--what?
1t is a secret not to be spoken aloud.
Norway is one of the great centers of
the cod trade, and from cod is made
cod liver oil. aud-shark's liver oil tastes
and looks exactly like it-Pearson's
NJ ueagiop