The Department of Environment has said the cause of death of a black tip shark pup, a photo of which was making the rounds on social media on Thursday, was inconclusive.
However, it reminded the public to be mindful that “shark pupping season” is in “full swing” and shark pups are often found swimming in the shallows.
The DoE, in a post on its Facebook page, said a conservation officer had investigated the shark, after a photo of the pup, found unresponsive at Rum Point, was posted several weeks ago.
“[The DoE officer] found no injuries or irregularities. The cause of death for this shark was inconclusive,” the post read.
“[I]t’s a good reminder to be careful when out shore fishing, particularly in the mangrove areas where young sharks are living their best life cruising in the shallows,” the DoE advised.
Sharks, the DoE reminded, are fully protected under the National Conservation Act and it is illegal to harm, kill or possess a shark whole or in part, anywhere in the Cayman Islands.
The department offered advice to the community on what to do if they accidentally hook a shark when fishing.
“[P]lease release it safely. Circle hooks are easier to remove without hurting the shark or other fish, or you can cut the line as close to the hook as possible. A steel hook will rust out if a shark or fish breaks the line,” the DoE advised.
The size of Cayman’s shark population is monitored and just last year local divers logged more than 550 shark sightings in local waters. The most commonly seen species is the Caribbean reef shark and the DoE’s Shark Research Officer Johanna Kohler said that was a welcomed sign.
Last year, the DoE relaunched its Sharklogger Network, in which volunteer divers help monitor Cayman’s shark population.
In March 2020, the programme was stopped because of local COVID health regulations implemented by the Cayman Islands government. After these restrictions were lifted in July 2020, participants resumed logging their dives and shark sightings for the programme, the report stated.
The department also reminded the public to report concerns about any illegal or suspicious activity, by calling DoE Enforcement on 916-4271 or 911 for crimes in progress.
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