SCARBOROUGH, Tobago, CMC – One week after a British national was attacked and severely injured by a shark, Tobago authorities Friday announced the re-opening of all beaches on the island.
The rare shark attack forced the (OCS) to thank fishermen and stakeholders for their patience and cooperation following the closure of the beaches.
In a statement, it said the beaches along the island’s western coast had been closed with immediate effect on April 26, after a bull shark attacked and injured a British tourist, Peter Smith, 64, at Turtle Beach.
Last weekend, the Tobago House of assembly (THA) revoked a decision to offer TT$10,000 (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) to registered fishermen who are able to capture the bull shark that attacked Smith.
THA Chief Secretary, Farley Augustine, told reporters that there was “some confusion” regarding the reward.
In its latest statement on Friday, the OCS thanked those involved in the co-ordinated efforts as well as the public, tourism stakeholders and the fishing community for their understanding, patience and co-operation during the period of beach closure.
Meanwhile, the non-governmental organisation, Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) is calling for legislation to be enacted to protect sharks in local waters.
In a statement FFOS Corporate Secretary Gary Aboud said Trinidad and Tobago needs to do its part to protect vulnerable and endangered species. The group wants the government to ban all shark exports immediately.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, more than one-third of sharks are threatened with extinction and they are one of the most endangered species in the marine environment.
Aboud said a ban would demonstrate Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to aquatic conservation and ensure the long-term viability of its marine ecosystems. International fishing fleets would be banned from catching sharks in local water and the landing of all endangered sharks would be forbidden, particularly those protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
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