August 17 2011 -- Following an emergency meeting this evening in the Office of Minister Morgan, the following advisory has been issued.

The Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration has issued a temporary ban on swimming or entering the water in certain bays of the island of Praslin and islands off the coast of Praslin following two fatal shark attacks this month in the north west area of the island.

People should not swim or enter the water in the following areas;

1.    Anse Lazio- (patrolled by the Police and National Parks Authority)

2.    Anse Georgette, Petite Anse Kerlan and Grand Anse Kerlan (patrolled by Lemuria Resort)

3.    St Pierre island (patrolled by National Parks Authority)

4.    Curieuse island (patrolled by National Parks Authority)

This measure will be enforced for a certain period in order to search for the shark and remove it from the water.

For all other areas of Praslin and La Digue, people should swim close to the beach, within a short distance, and not in deep water.

The Seychelles National Parks Authority in collaboration with the Praslin Development Fund, Seychelles Coat Guard, the Police, the Department of Environment, and the Seychelles Fishing Authority as well as several private boat owners and Seychellois fishermen will be undertaking continuous patrols, research and fishing activities in order to capture the shark.

The Maritime Safety Administration will also reinforce the ban of dumping of waste from yachts and other boats, which have been reported in some of these areas.

The last recorded fatal shark attack in Seychelles waters was in 1963, and therefore the two attacks are considered as extremely unusual events.

CONTACT NUMBERS

For shark sightings on Praslin please contact the Seychelles National Parks Authority Research Manager Mr. Rodney Quatre- on 2726104

For media information- contact Police Press Officer- Mr. Jean Toussaint- 2722352