Government of Jamaica
A second fisherman has been attacked by a shark in the space of a week in St. Thomas.
The fisherman, who was reportedly bitten on his hands and feet in the incident on Saturday afternoon, was treated at the Princess Margaret Hospital and released.
It’s reported that the fisherman was among a group from the Rocky Point Fishing Beach who went fishing off Morant Point.
About 2 p.m., the fisherman dove into the sea and was attacked by a shark. The other fishers saw what was happening, managed to scare off the shark and pulled the injured man from the water.
In the first incident on May 10, 43-year-old Rayan Reid, of Duckenfield in the parish, died two days after he was bitten all over his body while spearfishing at the Holland Bay Fishing Beach.
Radio Jamaica News spoke with Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries Authority, Dr. Gavin Bellamy, on Monday morning, who said he was visiting with the family of Mr. Reid on Saturday when he got the report of the second shark attack.
Mr. Bellamy said, contrary to claims by some fishers that they have been neglected by the authorities, the NFA through its extension officer has been providing support.
“Well, first of all, the National Fisheries Authority has our own extension officer based in the parish of St. Thomas who has been interacting with the fishers and the family since the first incident occurred. Myself as chief executive officer went there on Saturday and met with family members, and we had good conversation,” he insisted.
Dr. Bellamy said monetary assistance will be sought for the family of Mr. Reid, but lamented that he did not sign up for the insurance offerings available to fishers.
“It was unfortunate that the fisher did not take up the opportunity that the ministry and the NFA has worked together for providing health, life insurance and critical health insurance. On being made aware of that, we reached out to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security re the compassionate grant where we have a letter to submit to the minister today…the first working day since I met with the family. Our extension officer continues to make the fishers aware of best practices and precautionary interventions that they can take at this time,” he shared.