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SC man charged with branding sharks like cattle

Photo Courtesy: WCIV

AWENDAW, S.C. — A man has been charged with branding sharks like cattle off the South Carolina coast.

['Like hooking an elephant': SC fisherman hooks, tags massive great white shark]

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.

Photo Courtesy: WCIV

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.