Social Media Posts Led Police Straight to a Man Catching Protected Sharks

An Oregon man is facing criminal charges for well, being a criminal.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police began investigating after receiving multiple complaints about the man. He posted several photos and videos of his fishing exploits on his social media platforms.

27-year old Connor Seifert is facing charges for allegedly catching and handling protected sharks in Puget Sound.

WDFW Police Set Up Surveillance on a Puget Sound Pier and Caught Seifert

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Fishing for Sixgill and Sevengill Sharks Is Unlawful

Sixgill and sevengill sharks are both listed as a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" per Washington's State Wildlife Action Plan. Furthermore, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC Canada) listed sixgills as a species of Special Concern in 2007. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Redlist) categorizes bluntnose sixgills as "Near Threatened" (2020) and broadnose sevengills as "Vulnerable."

Multiple Charges Were Filed in Pierce County

Seifert is charged with nine counts of unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree and one count of making a a false or misleading statement to a public servant.

According to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police, Puget Sound is a nursery for young sharks before they make their way to the oceans. They eventually return to Puget Sound to repeat the cycle.