“Fear has motivated the targeting and persecution of white sharks, and all sharks, for decades,” the department has said. Photographs of the juvenile great white shark appeared on social media this week, provoking public outrage. Although one Instagram post says the shark's head was found at Newport Beach Pier, officials said that was not the case. She said the shark was found on the Newport Beach Pier. Shark conservationist Ocean Ramsey posted the photo, asking her followers for help in finding the person who mutilated the shark.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 11, 2016 16:25 UTC