South Carolina man charged with branding sharks like cattle
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A man has been charged with branding sharks like cattle off the South Carolina coast.
News outlets cite South Carolina Natural Resources officials who say a 56-year-old Awendaw man was charged with illegal tagging of a saltwater fish last week. The misdemeanor can net a fine of up to $200.
Officials say they were alerted about the brandings last month, as anglers off the South Carolina coast began catching sharks with a symbol that looked like a cursive letter burned just below their dorsal fins.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Officials say they also saw photos of such sharks circulating on social media.
The Post and Courier reports the brands could have been made with a propane torch or dry ice.
The newspaper reports the suspect was "cooperative" with authorities.