The shark surfing story that we broke on the front page yesterday has ignited a huge amount of strong debate on our bayofplentytimes.co.nz website and our Facebook page.
By last night, 30 comments had been made on our website and 53 listed on Facebook after the story on Tauranga man Eddie Bithell, who surfed on the back of a dead thresher shark while being towed behind a boat owned by Zane Wright in Tauranga Harbour.
The shark was hooked and died during a 10-hour fight out on the water.
One of Mr Bithell's buddies, Mark Collins, videoed the shark surfing, which took place 30 hours later as the men returned it out to sea to the food chain.
Mr Collins posted it on his Facebook page but didn't tell Mr Bithell.
Auckland environmentalist and zoologist Catherine Cassidy, who alerted this paper to the video, is disgusted at what has taken place. She described it as "heart-breaking and offensive".
Others, such as the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and SPCA, have expressed disapproval, a charter boat operator described the men as fools, and fisheries officials have confirmed they are investigating.
The men involved now regret their actions. We featured Mr Bithell in yesterday's edition. Today, Mr Wright and Mr Collins have their say.
The public reaction has been swift and strong, both in favour of the men and against them.
A number of people think the shark surfing has been blown out of proportion, that the shark was already dead and it was a bit of harmless fun.
Others think it is disgusting and unacceptable treatment of the creature, despite it being dead.
The response to this story has shown it is popular and has pushed buttons.
According to New Zealand Sport Fishing, more than a million Kiwis fish each year. About 3000 people belong to the Tauranga Game Fishing Club, of which Mr Bithell and Mr Collins are said to be members. Fishing is an integral part of our culture and lifestyle in the Bay.
These men have not committed the worst crime in the world. Far from it. The shark was dead.
It's a sad fact of life that much worse crimes are committed against live animals every day.
It is likely the shark suffered during its ordeal of being brought in, but this is often the nature of sport fishing.
But riding on the back of the animal is not sport. It's stupid.
What a waste of a sea creature. No one got a feed from it. Instead a bunch of guys had some fun at its expense.
This stunt showed a level of disrespect. I find it hard to believe that grown men behave like this and other people think it's funny.
Note: The comments on this editorial and the related stories will be checked before posted online. We reserve the right to edit or remove any comments. The post has been removed off the Bay of Plenty Times Facebook page at our discretion. We do not allow offensive, irrelevant and/or commercial comments on our website and our social media pages. Martine Rolls - Online Editor.