The Maui News reports Michael Pollard of Paukukalo received 38 stitches after he was bitten Tuesday morning in Lahaina. Pollard says he should have cut the line when he hooked the shark but decided to bring it in.

He and a friend tried to push the shark back into the ocean. Pollard says he was pushing the shark into the water when it started flailing and snagged his leg. The incident occurred off the pali coast of West Maui. Pollard is being commended for returning the animal to the sea rather than keeping it as a trophy.

The bite left two semicircle marks on his left calf, which he wrapped with a tourniquet made from his sleeves.

While no laughing matter this time, the “Land Shark,” was a hit series of comedy sketches in the early days of Saturday Night Live.

(Mahalo to The Maui News and reporter Chris Sugidono for this report)