Rosie O'Donnell is often in the headlines, but rarely for baiting sharks. But that's what
caused environmentalists to see red after a photo of O'Donnell standing next to carcass of a hammerhead shark during a fishing in Miami was released this week.

The photograph, although taken years ago, was only posted on the internet this week - a development that immediately drew stung criticism of O'Donnell since hammerhead sharks are now an endangered species (Florida banned the catch of three species of hammerheads starting January 1).

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O'Donnell took to Twitter to defuse the unexpected situation.

'i love the ocean - i am on it daily in miami - chill people - really - my family fishes,' she tweeted yesterday.

A commentator replied: 'My family fishes and good friends hunt. The difference is that they don't go after species at risk. Be more selective.'

O'Donnell concluded: 'we were not going after any species in particular - u catch what u catch - and it wasn't endangered till 11 days ago. I have 4 kids and a job in chicago - and I know all about sharks... I don't make a habit of fishing for them.'