Despite the recent shark attack in Tobago, members of the public yesterday flocked to ten beaches that the Tobago House of Assembly reopened in the wake of that incident.
When Guardian Media visited the beaches, it was almost as if last Friday’s gruesome shark attack on UK visitor Peter Smith never happened.
Smith suffered severed limbs and lacerations to the stomach after what is believed to be a bull shark attacked him while he was bathing at Turtle Beach. After life-saving surgeries at the Scarborough General Hospital, he was airlifted to Miami on Monday and is now in the care of medical professionals at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida.
Following the attack last Friday, the THA immediately closed Turtle Beach and nine other beaches along the southwest coast of the island.
The beaches were reopened yesterday, after THA officials determined it was safe for the public to return to activity at the sites.
At Turtle Beach, British tourists were more relieved than frightened.
David Thomas said, “I appreciate it is a very rare event. The bull sharks are aggressive. It’s unfortunate but it’s nice to get into the lovely water. We would be hoping that eventually we get some more activities. It’s very brave of the government to do it and it’s nice to now enjoy the water.”
However, others were a bit more cautious.
Another UK visitor, who didn’t want to be named, said she had second thoughts about going into the water.
“I have a bit of anxiety because of that (shark attack). It’s obviously not to be repeated, hopefully. But we have to take one day at a time.”
UK visitor Justin Gregory, who actually witnessed the shark attack, said while it was unfortunate, he was excited to enjoy Tobago’s water.
“I came here to do snorkelling and power boarding. We haven’t done that last week because of the incident. I appreciate the reason why they have done it, and I think they are quite right to allow people to enjoy the beaches again,” Gregory said.
Starfish Resort Tobago guest Mahindra Sankar encouraged people not to be scared.
“My bath was good. It always have big fish in the water. Being scared won’t change anything. I’m preparing to go back in just now.”
At Swallows Bay, UK visitor Cookie Philogene said she was hesitant at first but was drawn in by the pristine waters.
“It was quite nerve-racking. I didn’t think I would get back into the water but if you look at the water now you’ll see how beautiful it is and there’s no way you can’t go in it.”
Meanwhile, Avery Thomas, a tour guide, said he was concerned about the incident’s impact on the island’s tourism.
He explained, “The beach opening is a very nice thing. A lot of tourists will come around. People were coming down here to bathe while beaches were closed.”
At Store Bay, a couple from Trinidad, Jamal Sahadat and his wife, said they felt more comfortable bathing after seeing people in the water.
“A few people here on the beach with us. We are confident that nothing would happen and hopefully, no incident with sharks happen again,” Sahadat told Guardian Media after a quick bath.
Many more people were spotted at Buccoo and Mt Irvine Beach enjoying the water, with some saying last Friday’s shark attack will be remembered as an unfortunate, unforgettable and unavoidable incident.