Bizarre update on bounty put on shark's head after British tourist is attacked near shore

Authorities in the Caribbean have issued an update regarding the huge cash reward which was offered to fishermen in exchange for capturing a shark which attacked a British tourist.

Peter Smith, 64, was in Tobago, in the Caribbean, when he was attacked just 10 metres from the shore at Turtle Beach.

Peter had been swimming in waters near to the Starfish Hotel when he was attacked just after 9am on Friday (26 April).

A shark attacked a British tourist. (Getty stock image)

The incident has prompted the immediate closure of beaches along the northwestern coast of the island, after witnesses claimed the creature was a bull shark up to 10 feet long.

Smith is now receiving care at the Scarborough General Hospital after suffering a severed thigh and hand as well as a laceration on his stomach.

According to witnesses, Smith was waist-deep in the water.

Stephanie Wright, from West Sussex, told The Sun: "We saw some people on the beach, and I originally thought the gentleman had had a cardiac arrest, and I thought they were helping him.

"And then I saw someone running down with a towel, and then I saw a dorsal fin come out of the water and thought, 'Oh my God, it's a shark.'

"As it turned, I saw the tail come out as well. As it swam off."

Following the incident, fishermen were promised a reward of $10,000 Trinidad and Tobago dollars (£1,162) in exchange for capturing the animal.

However, this was later withdrawn by authorities.

Tobago Chief Secretary Farley Augustine explained that there had been confusion over the reward.

"I've asked for the ad to be retracted effective immediately and I've asked that the fishers work along with the Coast Guard, work along with the divers and other stakeholders to expertly man the area," he said in a press briefing.

"While the department is recalling the advertisement, I'm letting you know that there are experts who will expertly treat the matter of dealing with the bull shark."

Meanwhile, a conservation group spoke of the dangers of the bounty, explaining that it could have serious consequences.

Fishermen were initially promised a reward of $10,000 (Tobago House of Assembly)

Writing on Facebook, Shark Guardian said: “Yesterday (26 April 2024), a British national fell victim to a non fatal shark encounter while enjoying a vacation in Tobago. Such incidents, although distressing, are exceedingly rare, often resulting from human error or misjudgement.

"It's essential to remember that sharks, ancient creatures with a history spanning over 400 million years, play a vital role in maintaining the health and equilibrium of ocean ecosystems.

"In response to the attack, the Tobago House of Assembly, led by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, has announced a $10,000 bounty on the shark responsible.

"However, this decision could have severe consequences, as it may encourage indiscriminate hunting of sharks by fishermen and others.

"Given that sharks already face significant threats, with an estimated 100 million individuals lost annually, such actions could further jeopardize their survival."