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Sharks'
fates: admired in Tobago, gobbled up on the beach in Trinidad
Sharks
are a real sensation in Trinidad and Tobago. On special underwater
safaris in Tobago adventurous divers can enjoy the thrill of
encountering the predators of murderous reputation in the wild. They’re
in serious danger, however, once the famous triangular dorsal fin shows
up too close to the sister island’s coast: baked shark fish is the
most popular beach snack in Trinidad.
By
Bernhard Grdseloff |
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Shark
expert Ricardo Nedd spied out some diving spots on the West and South
coast of Tobago where the elegant predators like to spend their time.
"It takes a bit of luck of course, because we don’t feed the
animals", he says. "But you’ll always spot larger nurse
sharks, and you’ll also see reef sharks all year round. Whale sharks
of up to 40 feet are rather rare, though."
Not
all types of sharks can be found all year round in Tobago. "They
follow their prey and the nutrient-rich currents from the Orinoco
Delta", explains Nedd. "Most of the roaming species such as
tiger and bull sharks are around
from February till May."
The
high season for hammerhead sharks is earlier - from January to March.
Their favourite place is the Sisters, two rock islands off the North
coast of Tobago. "Schools of up to 40 animals, 10 to 15 feet in
length, patrol the area during the daytime", says biologist and
dive guide Johnny Procope. "They’re not dangerous to divers,
because they’re asleep while they swim. Their hammer-shaped head
serves as a radar system for keeping course."
They
may be in for a rude awakening, however, if they drift off towards
Trinidad. "Bake and Shark" is the most popular beach snack
there: fried shark fillet in a kind of giant donut. You’ll find the
best ones at Richard‘s in Castara Bay where up to 15 shark fish are
polished off on a good day. |
 Dangerous
to life: shark at the Trinidad market... 
...and
bite-sized at Richard's on the beach of Marakas Bay.
See
Package: Shark
safari in Tobago |
