Shock and disgust as impaled shark head found at NSW marine rescue

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers were shocked to find a shark's head impaled on a fence at their base, south of Sydney.

The impaled shark head. Source: Marine Rescue Shellharbour

WARNING: This post contains graphic images

Marine rescue volunteers were shocked to find a shark's head stuffed with ocean rubble and cigarette butts, impaled on a fence in Shellharbour, NSW. 

An investigation by the NSW Department of Primary Industries is now underway after the head was found on Sunday morning as volunteers turned up to the base, according to the ABC. 

The marine rescue organisation shared disturbing photos of the shark’s head to social media on Monday - inciting outrage in the community.

“It’s a kick in the guts for our committed volunteers who give up their time to save lives on the water,” the Marine Rescue NSW post read.

Marine Rescue spokesman Richard O’Conner said the shark appeared to be cut up at the jetty across the road from the Marine Rescue building on Saturday night. 

He told the ABC the act appeared to be arbitrary, but couldn't rule out a sinister motive. 

“It’s a random thing, there was no message and we haven’t had any issues in the past with disgruntled fishermen or boaters, but that’s not to say that somebody may not be happy with what we have done,” he said.

The matter is understood not to have been referred to police.

Terribly disrespectful

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and Shellharbour residents reacted with shock and anger.

“As a Marine member myself this is terribly disrespectful,” one posted on Facebook.

“Someone with a macabre sense of humour,” another added.

Volunteer rescue workers at Marine Rescue Shellharbour arrived to find the impaled shark's head. Source: Marine Rescue Shellharbour

The head is believed to have belonged to a mako shark.

The shortfin mako was upgraded from “near threatened” to a “vulnerable” species in 2007, by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Marine Rescue NSW boasts more than 3,000 volunteers in 44 units across the NSW coastline and inland on the Murray River and Alpine Lakes.

The organisation receives financial support from the NSW Government and boating via a levy on boat licence and registration fees.

It is appealing for anyone with information about the shark’s head to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000‬.

With AAP.