Long Island-based shark-fishing “influencer,” Christopher Stefanou was arraigned in the Barnstable Superior Court this week for his involvement in “cruelty to animals” during an October 2025 trip to Cape Cod.
Stefanou allegedly targeted and caught a great white shark, using fishing methods that are prohibited on the Outer Cape, namely the use of a drone to deploy the baits. The illegal activity was reported to the authorities after Stefanou posted his catch on social media. To make matters worse for Stefanou, the shark had been tagged and named Aaron through the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.
Massachusetts introduced shore-based shark-fishing restrictions in early 2025, following the social media shenanigans of anglers targeting white sharks on the Outer Cape. This included a ban on shore-based shark fishing on the Outer Cape, Monomoy Island, Cape Cod Bay, and the South Shore of Massachusetts. In 2026, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries extended the closed area after yet another shark-fishing influencer posted himself catching white sharks (while allegedly chumming the waters near swimmers). The restrictions also prohibited chumming from shore and the use of mechanized bait deployment methods, including drones, bait cannons, and remote-controlled boats in all Massachusetts waters.
The regulations were put in place not only for the white sharks (which are a federally protected species) but for public safety as well.
Stefanou’s bail was set at $10,000, he lost his fishing license, was forced to remove the video from social media, and was banned from advertising his “guiding” services in Massachusetts.