The hammerhead shark seen in the Montagu Beach area.

THERE is still no clarity on whether a large Great Hammerhead shark spotted over the weekend has been speared, harmed or even killed in an effort to drive it away from the eastern New Providence coastline.

Last night, officials of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) spoke out against harming the creature, stressing the valuable role sharks play in protecting the fragile ecosystem of Bahamian marine life.

Videos were shared via various social media platforms on Friday and Saturday, one in particular which showed the shark - estimated to be between 14ft and 16ft - swimming near the shore at Montagu Beach and fish dock.

It showed dozens of onlookers marvelling at the presence of the shark. In another, snorkellers accompanied the shark in the water as it swam around.

According to the BNT, the Great Hammerhead is the largest of the hammerhead sharks and is found in tropical and sub-tropical waters around the world. Mature hammerheads have virtually no predators, but like most shark species, they are heavily fished, both commercially and recreationally.

The BNT noted that the Great Hammerhead should be hailed as a keeper of the conch because the species is said to be directly responsible for controlling predators - such as stingrays - that feed on the queen conch.

“Their importance to the culture and economy of the Bahamas is the reason why sharks were formally protected by the government in 2011. However, more public education on shark behaviour is clearly needed,” yesterday’s statement read.

“This was evident from the discussions that followed the recent social media posts. Many commenters were surprised that such a large shark would come so close to shore, but as most fishermen are aware, this is a regularly observed behaviour. Hammerheads prefer to eat the Southern Sting Ray which often comes into shallow water to feed and hide from predators.

“This shark is very inquisitive and was possibly drawn to the Montagu area by the intense smell of skinned conch and fish, hoping to find a few rays. Much of the social media conversation focused on the danger to swimmers. But although these sharks certainly have the ability to cause harm, they rarely even acknowledge divers in the water. People swim with Great Hammerheads and other large sharks every day in the Bahamas without incident.”

The BNT made specific note of a video making the rounds on Saturday, in which the shark could be seen swimming peacefully with snorkellers near the Nassau harbour.

The group said the mouth structure of this species is not suited for attacking a large animal like a human, as it is adapted for catching bottom dwellers like rays.

“A common reaction to such a large predator within an area frequently used by people is to spear it, either to kill it or drive it away. This is not just a local reaction, but rather an international one. Reports indicate that this may be what happened to the large visitor in Nassau Harbour over the weekend. Hopefully the shark was not killed but has moved on to quieter pastures.”

Executive Director of BNT Eric Carey said the organisation was reviewing legislation and consulting with conservation partners and scientists in order to develop protocols to guide approach to these types of situations.

The BNT also revealed that it has received new funding from the Pew Global Shark Program to conduct more public awareness activities.

It is illegal to capture or harm sharks in and around the Bahamas.

By Ricardo Wells, Tribune Staff Reporter

Today Show correspondent Kerry Sanders with the swimming pigs of Exuma.

SWIMMING swine were stars of national television in the United States, as NBC’s “Today Show” featured the swimming pigs of Exuma on June 14.

“Today” correspondent Kerry Sanders traced the emergence of a colony of pigs on Big Major Cay, Exuma, as one of the Bahamas’ popular tourism attractions. His report dispelled several exotic theories of how the pigs got onto the island and presented interviews with Wade Nixon and Don Rolle, the Exuma residents who first brought the pigs to Big Major Cay. Their attempt to start a pig farm for food ended up as an attraction enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year.

The NBC report came about through collaborations between the Big Major Cay owners, The Bahamas Film & Television Commission, the Exuma Tourist Office and Bahamian filmmaker Charlie Smith, the director of the short film, “When Pigs Swim”.

“More than four million viewers tuned in to the NBC ‘Today Show’ report,” said Clarence Rolle, general manager of the Bahamas Film & Television Commission. “So that is likely to have endeared our swimming pigs to millions of people. Other television shows such as ABC’s ‘The Bachelor’, the vacation photos of celebrities such as Judge Judy and Dwayne Wade, and even trailers for video games such as ‘Angry Birds 2’ have made people around the world more aware of our swimming pigs in recent months.”

The ‘Today Show’ report has also been posted to the show’s website, today.com.

Inspection of Coral Harbour supermarket discovers sale of crawfish and marks new collaboration by enforcement agencies.

A Sunday afternoon inspection of the Phoenix Fresh Market in Coral Harbour by a cross-agency team of law enforcement agents led to a major discovery of illegal crawfish on sale during the closed season.

“With an annual closed season extending from April 1 to July 31 each year, we are right in the middle of the most important time for reproduction of crawfish,” explained the assisting Fisheries Inspector from the Department of Marine Resources. “Any premises still in possession of lobster during closed season must have appropriate documentation from the Department of Marine Resources.”

Adding to the seriousness of the crime, a total of 56 crawfish tails on sale were found to be under the legal size which is 5 ½ inches tail length. The smallest tails measured as little as 3 inches long.

“We remind all customers, stores and fishers that Bahamian Fisheries Regulations exist in order to protect our natural resources for the long term,” commented Superintendent Palmer of Bahamas Customs. “As a nation we depend heavily on marine resources and only through full compliance with closed seasons, catch and size limits, and marine protected areas can we ensure the sustainable catch of seafood and the future livelihoods upon which our communities depend.”

Operation Blue Fin was a joint effort by the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Bahamas Customs Marine Unit, based on intelligence from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and advice from the Department of Marine Resources. Sunday’s collaboration follows up on recent joint training in marine law enforcement that was organized by The Bahamas National Trust. The operation puts into practice a new network of law enforcement agencies in The Bahamas and other Caribbean nations focused on marine resources.

“A person who violates any provision of the Fisheries Regulations may be punished by a monetary penalty of $3,000 and up to $100,000 and/or one year imprisonment. A further deterrent is that fines and imprisonment terms are doubled for repeat violations,” added Officer Palmer.

On Sunday night the General Manager of the store was in custody awaiting charges.

For more information or to report violations please contact the Department of Marine Resources, tel. 3931777.

By Media Enterprises Ltd

It was 1 o’clock on Tuesday morning when the BHS inspector on duty received a call from motorists and the police control room that a cow, (yes, you read correctly, a cow) was in the middle of the Tonique Williams Darling highway unable to move.

The inspector raced to the scene where he met police officers diverting oncoming traffic from the stranded animal.  Evidence at the scene led him to believe the cow was a victim of a hit and run accident. Dr. Solomon, the BHS head veterinarian was called and briefed of the situation. Dr. Springer, a veterinarian with the Ministry of Agriculture was driving by, saw the situation and pulled over to offer his assistance.

Dr. Solomon arrived a short time later and both vets examined the cow and determined that her leg was broken and unable to walk. She was given a shot for pain. Dr. Springer knew the cow’s owner and several attempts were made to contact him to no avail. After several unsuccessful attempts to contact the owner, our only option was to move the cow to the side of the road, out of the way of busy morning traffic.

The police and both vets left the scene while the BHS inspector acted as watchman and stayed with the cow through the wee hours of the morning to ensure she was safe until the owner came. The owner arrived at 7 a.m. and the decision was made she had to be euthanized.

The Bahamas Humane Society implores motorists to be cautious when driving and to watch for animals attempting to cross the road. Also PLEASE report injured animals.

A day in the life of an ambulance driver is never the same! Your support of the BHS enables our drivers to be out on the road, assisting animals on a daily basis. THANK YOU!

The BHS operates 24 hours and has an emergency contact number 323-5138 after normal business hours.