The MEP and former UKIP leader tweeted a photo of himself holding a tope shark with the caption, “Depressed over Brexit. Went fishing.”

Tope sharks are listed as "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List and it’s against the law for the sharks to be brought back to shore in the UK. They can grow up to two meters in length and pose no threat to humans.

Conservation groups responded to Farage’s tweet with dismay and a warning to the MEP of his responsibility to return the protected species to the sea alive.   

The Blue Planet Society said it was “depressed” over people catching the threatened tope shark and using it to get attention on social media.

Farage claimed that he returned the animal to the English Channel alive, according to the BBC. However, many social media users remain skeptical and have condemned Farage for his actions.