The fatal accident involving a tiger shark and a swimmer in Orient Bay last December received international media attention. Even though this type of accident is extremely rare - experts indicated that on average five such accidents occur annually around the world - it has had an impact on our behavior. "It can have catastrophic consequences on tourism activity, with a considerable economic impact", also estimates the prefecture.
This is why, with the COM, it intends to set up a “shark risk management project” aimed at securing the island's tourist economy. This involves acquiring new scientific data on tiger sharks to better prevent the risk of accidents and define a communication plan with the general public and tourists.
"Although the population of Saint-Martin is aware of the existence of potentially dangerous sharks in the waters, there remains however a certain ignorance of their behavior, their habits and the behaviors to adopt", state the services of the State. "The lack of in-depth scientific studies on the sharks inhabiting the waters of Saint-Martin does not, to date, make it possible to effectively guide a response from the State services to face this particular risk," they admit.
The collection of information and data should allow the development of a strategy to combat the shark risk. The project also provides for the creation of a coordination body for the various working groups and the opening up of development prospects in the French Antilles, and more broadly at the Caribbean level. “Sharks are present in our waters, and more generally throughout the Caribbean. This is why this project must also be able to be exported on a larger scale, starting first with the French Antilles, then to the whole of the Caribbean region ”, indicates the prefecture of Saint-Martin.
(soualigapost.com)
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