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Rumors have surfaced about a man-eating shark patrolling the beautiful natural swimming pool (and popular party spot); Palmilla – and everyone is panicking! But wait, have there been any shark attacks at all? No? Why not? Because the sharks that have been spotted are Nurse sharks, which although big (up to 4m / 14ft) are according to Rita Sellares of FUNDEMAR (the Dominican Foundation of Marine studies), “inoffensive and one of the most calm shark species.”
These ridiculous and untrue claims of man-eating sharks in the La Romana – Bayahibe area has put these creatures in great danger – from local fishermen who will kill them in the false belief that they are dangerous. And so here with the collaboration of the La Romana – Bayahibe tourism cluster, we bring you the true story:
The TRUE story
A loan nurse shark was spotted in Palmilla by a group of tourists several months ago and reported to the La Romana – Bayahibe tourism cluster, who following investigation which confirmed the shark was not a danger to humans decided to keep the news quiet – to avoid panic hunting.
Unfortunately, yesterday the news was released by elnuevodiario.com who rather than responsibly report the truth, distorted the story, wrongly leading readers to believe that Nurse sharks are dangerous and that they will attack in packs! But the truth is that they do not travel in packs and they will only attack when provoked, in fact their typical behavior is sluggish and docile – so as long as you leave them alone, they will leave you alone!
So the truth is YES there are Nurse sharks in the area, but NO they are not a real threat to humans. So don’t panic!
Nurse sharks don’t bite!!
Again according to Rita Sellares of FUNDEMAR (the Dominican Foundation of Marine studies) – Nurse sharks don’t even bite!
“Their mouths are much smaller than other sharks and they eat by sucking, their teeth are small and curved. They do not attack humans – which is why they are the species most commonly used in in aquariums and water parks, where people are allowed to swim, snorkel and dive with them.”
Nurse sharks attack humans?
Whilst Nurse sharks are “bottom feeders” (they eat crustaceans, molluscs, tunicates, sea snakes, and other fish, particularly stingrays), there have been some reports of unprovoked attacks on humans. Please note these unprovoked attacked are rare and therefore nothing to panic about – there have also been reports of unprovoked attacks on humans by dolphins, cows, dogs – and many other everyday animals we do not consider dangerous. As long as a Nurse shark does not feel threatened it will typically not attack.
Besides nurse sharks are nocturnal (active at night)
Whilst there have been a limited number of sightings at Palmilla, nurse sharks are nocturnal animals. They spend the day in inactive groups hidden under submerged ledges or in crevices within the reef – so the likelihood that you will be lucky enough to spot one whilst partying at Palmilla is very slim.
What to do if you see one?
Don’t panic and just leave it alone.
PANIC HUNTING!
The greatest danger now is from “panic hunters”, who have according to Ana Garcia, Director of the La Romana – Bayahibe cluster already been spotted in the area looking to kill all of the Nurse sharks. These “panic hunters” will use the excuse that the Nurse sharks are dangerous to kill them all.
Please help us save the Nurse sharks and pass on the message NOT to kill them!