“The shark does not attack humans. It is a predator that hunts for food. This is why we should not speak of an attack but of an accident. " This is the message sent by the scientists contacted by the services of the Prefecture and the Collectivity following the fatal accident that occurred last week in Orient Bay.

In certain circumstances - especially when the sea is cloudy and which was the case last week - the shark can confuse its prey and bite a man, therefore by accident. Scientists confirm that humans are not in the animal's food chain. "The shark that bit the swimmer behaved deviantly," said Prefect Serge Gouteyron at a press conference late Wednesday afternoon.

However, the authorities agree that it is necessary to take "preventive measures" in order to limit the risk of accident, in other words to reduce for this type of predators whose presence is proven and normal in our waters, the attractiveness coasts which can offer "reservoirs" of food. By food reservoirs, we mean aquatic spots where fish hunted by sharks are concentrated. Dead bodies, aquatic platforms, mobile pontoons are examples of spots that can attract sharks because they find prey there. This is why "we have decided to ban them", announced the president of the COM on Wednesday late afternoon. From Thursday, the gendarmerie, the DEAL and the territorial police will go to the beaches to present this new measure. And it is only once all these objects are removed from the water that swimming and nautical activities will again be authorized in the French part.

For now, the prohibition order is extended until December 22.

In addition, restaurants will also be reminded that organic discharges into the sea, which attract fish, are prohibited. Fishing for sharks and bait near the coast will also be banned, as will the feeding of sharks. It will also be advisable not to swim at night, a period of the day favored by sharks for hunting.

“The challenge is to avoid psychosis. Today we have elements that allow us to demonstrate that this blue fear is unfounded. We are now taking preventive measures that will reassure the population, ”agrees the new prefect.

And to specify that the shark which fatally bit the swimmer last week, will be "chased". "His genetic map will be established, we will find him to kill him", he assured. An “innovative” American protocol will be put in place, announced Serge Gouteyron.

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