Key to this fishing tackle removal is to do it as quickly as possible to minimize any stress. Figure that they are already likely more agitated as I commonly see from the stress of the drag or chaffing of the fishing gear and how that affects their ability to hunt and how other sharks and other animals around them react to the dangling or colorful gear. That moment of removal however could mean the difference between life and death and the quality of life the shark or other entangled marine animal suffers or enjoys. This is a tough call for me to make after weighing all factors, including the likelihood of being bitten based on how relaxed, territorial, or stressed the animal is. It should go without saying but *please do not attempt* although if the line was longer and you have the scissor knife that doesn’t require tension to cut a line***use your best judgement of all factors n laws but any animal can act defensively and sharks are the most capable of defending themselves given their hardware. Never block an animals exit from a cave please. Sharks are more than capable of swimming away if they feel threatened, but it shouldn’t be assumed that they will swim away, and not blocking her exit meant she felt more comfortable retreating back rather than just rushing out seeing that was a clear option at all times she still showed signs of being territorial which meant a higher chance of a defensive reaction. Whitetip reef sharks often wedge themselves in the reef to capture fish, making this situation with the thickness of line even more likely lethal for her. Best case: I find her again and she is angled where I could quickly cut the tackle, or the hook bends out without breaking her jaw or the dragging tackle pops off if she gets caught :-( Sorry not a happy post. There was a honu (Hawaiian green sea turtle) with fishing line wrapped around its pectoral and hooked into its mouth and we were able to cut the line between the front flipper and mouth so at least it’s head wasn’t attached to its flipper...lines still on its flipper and will slowly amputate over time...Sorry not a happy post, but reality. Prevent it by regulating fishing at #chinawalls