Advertisement
The Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) said it strongly condemns the indiscriminate killing of sharks in response to a recent shark attack incident.
Numerous sharks of varying types and sizes were deliberately killed, days after the brutal attack of British national, Peter Smith, by a ferocious bull shark on Friday (26th April, 2024). Smith sustained severe injuries which included a laceration on the stomach, damage to his left hand and thigh as well as tissue damage. He has since been airlifted from Tobago and is currently receiving further medical treatment in Miami. The THA previously said the incident involved a bull shark, estimated to be between eight (8) to ten (10) feet (2.4m to 3m) long and two (2) feet (60cm) wide. In a Media Release on Wednesday (1st May, 2024), 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. 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 our marine biodiversity.”
The Division added, “Trinidad and Tobago is committed to the conservation and protection of its marine resources, including sharks, through various national laws and international conventions. The Fisheries Act, Environmental Management Act, and Conservation of Wildlife Act, all provide a framework for managing and safeguarding our marine wildlife. Additionally, as a member of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), we have a responsibility to adhere to international standards for shark conservation.”
The Media Release concluded by saying, “We strongly urge the public to refrain from engaging in any unauthorized hunting, capturing, or killing of sharks. Instead, we encourage the public to follow shark safety guidelines, such as avoiding areas where sharks are known to congregate, staying calm if encountering a shark, and reporting any shark sightings to local authorities. 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 you may contact our Department of Marine Resources and Fisheries at 639-4354/4446.” We are a small operation. If you've found our articles to be informative, please consider supporting us via PayPal or buying us a coffee. Your contribution is incredibly appreciated and goes a long way. Simply sharing our articles also helps us. Sign up for our free WhatsApp Alerts to be notified as soon as we post breaking news. NEW! Check out our Merchandise Store for high-quality t-shirts, hats and more!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AboutYouthere1 is a website focused on providing useful information, breaking news, entertainment and online shopping in Trinidad and Tobago.
AlertsSupportYouTubeContactPrivacyCategories
All
Archives
May 2024
|
© 2024 Youthere1 Enterprises. All Rights Reserved.