Anglers aboard a San Diego sportfishing boat watched in awe this week as a mako shark attacked a hooked bluefin tuna as it was being gaffed.
The tuna had been reeled to the Tribute’s rail and the captain and a crewman had gaffed and were about to haul the fish aboard when the shark chomped onto its tail end.
“Get some!” the videographer says in the accompanying footage, while passengers cheer.
The fish was ultimately hauled aboard, but minus a small portion.
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“The tax man!” exclaimed one follower beneath Tribute Sportfishing’s Instagram post.
(Sharks that go attack hooked fish are jokingly referred to as tax collectors.)
A few suggested that the crew should have attempted to gaff the shark, while others merely expressed appreciation for the rare footage.
The Instagram description reads: “Some people try and kill these things! We embrace how awesome they are. 700-pound-plus Mako getting just a little sample.”
