Indian Ocean, La Réunion. Photo courtesy of: © Isabelle Duflo
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Reunion Island is known for its world-class waves, pristine swimming beaches and, in recent years, shark attacks.
Now, in the aftermath of a fatal attack on a 15-year-old girl earlier this month (the second deadly attack in three months and fifth since 2011), the French island has embarked on an extreme plan in the hope of ending the bloodshed—or at least making locals and visitors feel safer.
In response to the surge in shark attacks, government officials have banned surfing outside of the island’s lagoons until October 1 of this year. Anyone caught surfing outside of the lagoon will face a $50 fine. Additionally, they plan to cull 90 sharks, 45 tiger sharks and 45 bull sharks, from the island’s waters to help combat the attacks…
Reunion Island Bans Surfing, GrinTV
A teenager killed in Reunion shark attack, BBC News
The 15-year-old victim, a French holidaymaker, was attacked on July 15th, while snorkelling a few metres from the shore at Saint-Paul on the west coast.
Réunion Island Revokes Order to Hunt Sharks, Yet Controversy Arises (Uploaded 08-05-2012)
How Should We Respond When Humans and Sharks Collide? National Geographic
