Cash offered for killing of sharks after fatal attacks

France is to pay fishermen who kill bull sharks in waters off the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion, following a spike 
in shark attacks and the death of a surfer last week.

Authorities yesterday described the financial incentives as unprecedented for the French-administered island and necessary to encourage shark killings.

The amount being offered is still being decided upon, but the money is likely to be paid out per kilo of shark meat.

From 2000-10 there were no shark attacks in the area and no need for culling.

But last week’s tragedy, in which a 22-year-old died after a shark bit off his leg, was the 
seventh attack – and the third fatality – involving sharks since the start of 2011.

Animal rights groups criticised the culling plans, calling it “extermination”.