The one-week fall recreational food fishery starts today and DFO has some advice if you happen to hook an unwelcome catch on your line.

A Fogo Island cod fisherman had to be treated in hospital for a gash on his arm after he tried to free a shark from his gear earlier this month.

Small sharks like porbeagles are attracted to fishing activity, seeking out an easy meal, and sometimes get hauled to the surface when they get caught on a line.

While generally harmless, they do have sharp teeth that can deliver a serious injury if you try to remove the hook from their mouth.

DFO shark specialist Carolyn Miri says if you do happen to hook a shark, the best practice is simply to cut the line.

She says some people may feel reluctant to let a favourite lure go, especially if it’s a family heirloom, but she advises don’t risk injury to retrieve it, simply cut the line.

She’s asking anyone who has a shark encounter while on the water to pass the information or images on to DFO at carolyn.miri@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.