DPNR downplays shark sightings off Frederiksted beach

ST. CROIX - Frederiksted's fish market was consumed in a shark-fed frenzy after a group of tiger sharks consumed a number of sea turtles in their own feeding frenzy earlier this week, according to reports.

After spotting a group of six tiger sharks thrashing about hundreds of feet off shore, tearing apart sea turtles, a local fisherman hooked a 10-foot tiger shark - reportedly the smallest of the group - and dragged it to shore, according to the story Nate Olive heard not long after the feeding frenzy took place.

The convergence of large sharks off Frederiksted's popular Dorsch Beach has led to a small wave of public concern about the safety of swimming off the beaches. The concern is rippling through the community even as Easter week approaches and throngs of families plan to head to the island's beaches - including Dorsche Beach - to camp.

But V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources Chief of Environmental Education William Coles said there is little to worry about.

Tiger sharks and bull sharks - the most dangerous of the 11 species that frequent the territory's waters - are common but have not proven significantly dangerous over the years, he said.

According to a DPNR publication, there have only been three recorded shark attacks in the Virgin Islands - the last being in 1992 - and two of those attacks were caused by people harassing the shark.

"Shark attacks in the Virgin Islands are virtually unheard of because our water is very clear, so sharks are less likely to accidentally bite a person," DPNR said.

Also, the shark that was caught Tuesday was reportedly about 700 feet from shore, which is close but still a distance to swim, Coles said.

"Who's going to be swimming out there?" Coles asked.

As it happens, sea turtles swim out there, which is what attracted the sharks.

The sharks prey on large marine animals, like sea turtles, marine mammals and fish, according to the DPNR.

Olive, who is the program director of the V.I. Sustainable Farm Institute and co-owner of Ridge to Reef Farm, said he arrived at the Frederiksted fish market Tuesday morning and found the 10-foot tiger shark hanging from the rafters. A rope was pulled taut around the tail and the shark still was long enough that its head rested on the ground.

"I got my camera, and by the time I got there, there was a mob of people there," Olive said. "It was certainly 10 feet. Huge."

After asking around and talking with some of the people who were present, Olive recounted what he heard.

"What I was told, is that they caught it about 700 feet off the beach at Dorsche Beach, and it was among 5 others - and bigger tiger sharks - that were feeding on leatherback sea turtles," he said.

After hooking one, "the fisherman dragged it on the beach, and it started flopping around," Olive said. "He said it was all flopping around, and the guy in the picture stabbed it and killed it."

While Coles knew about the incident, he did not know specifics - having only heard about it more than a day later, he said.

Olive posted the photos on Facebook, which created a buzz, he said.

"I put them on Facebook, and it became instantly a debate on whether it was a good thing or a bad thing," Olive said. "There needs to be some public discourse about it."

Inside the shark, fishermen found the undigested head of a leatherback turtle, Olive said. The turtle head was the size of an adult's torso and weighed about 35 pounds, he said.

To ensure swimming safety, Coles offered a few tips: stay in groups; stay close to shore; avoid swimming at dusk or at night; do not enter the water if bleeding significantly; do not swim with shiny jewelry; use extra caution in murky waters; refrain from splashing; and do not harass sharks.

- Contact Daniel Shea at 774-8772 ext. 457 or email dshea@dailynews.vi.

Sign up for Text Alerts

Sign up for e-mail newsletters