The Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development of the Tobago House of Assembly yesterday “strongly condemned” what it called the “indiscriminate killing of sharks in response to a recent shark attack incident in Tobago”.
As many as a dozen sharks may have been killed since one attacked a British tourist last week Friday at Turtle Beach. Videos by fishermen on social media have shown a number of sharks killed in the waters off Tobago.
Peter Smith
The videos started surfacing last Friday following a $10,000 bounty issued by the THA for the capture of what witnesses said was a bull shark which severely injured British national Peter Smith while he was swimming at Turtle Beach. The bounty was later recalled by the THA.
Smith was flown via air ambulance to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida, for further medical care.
The Division, in a statement yesterday, strongly urged the public to refrain from engaging in any unauthorised hunting, capturing or killing of sharks, and encouraged the public to follow shark safety guidelines, such as avoiding areas where sharks are known to congregate, staying calm if a shark is encountered, and reporting any shark sightings to local authorities.
“We understand the concerns and fears arising from the recent incident. However, reacting to this isolated event by targeting and killing sharks indiscriminately is not only ineffective in preventing future incidents but also harmful to the marine biodiversity,” the division said.
“Sharks play a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of our marine ecosystems. As apex predators, they help regulate the populations of other species, ensure the health of reef fish populations, and contribute to the overall resilience of our coastal environments.”
It added: “By working together and respecting our marine wildlife, we can ensure the safety of both humans and sharks while preserving the rich biodiversity of our coastal waters.”
For more information the public can contact the Department of Marine Resources and Fisheries at 639-4354/4446.
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