Holidaymakers and tourists visiting Nusa Dua in Bali have been given the all-clear to enter the water. Officials in charge of the popular tourist resort have responded to an alleged shark sighting on Friday, 22nd May.
Increased surveillance and beach patrols over the weekend have confirmed that there are no sharks in the vicinity, nor is it a risk.
Speaking to reporters, The Nusa Dua General Manager, I Made Agus Dwiatmika, responded to concerns about a shark sighting in the popular family vacation resort area.
He told reporters that following the reports on Friday (May 22) at around 9:30 a.m., an immediate response was carried out. Team members from the ITDC Coast Patrol Team, along with elements of the Police, Pamobvit, and Polairud, conducted a routine patrol in the waters of The Nusa Dua Beach on Friday and throughout the weekend. During the patrols, officers saw an object from a distance in the middle of the sea that resembled a fish fin.
In a statement issued after the first response on Friday, he explained, “The object’s position was far from the shoreline and not close to the tourist area. However, we cannot yet confirm whether the object was a shark because of its location far out at sea.”
Dwiatmika was clear that during the incident, there was no disruption to tourism activities or operations in the area. Tourists continued their activities as usual, and the beach area was observed to be safe. The management acknowledged that they had not received any reports of panic or complaints from tourists regarding the alleged shark sighting.
Additional patrols were conducted throughout the weekend. The ITDC Nusa Dua team members, along with the Water and Air Police (Polairud) and related security forces, conducted regular checks and monitoring of the Nusa Dua coastal area. The follow-up monitoring results indicated that the waters were safe and under control. In an updated statement, Dwiatmika shared, “The monitoring results indicate safe and under control conditions. There were no further sightings of the object in question in the coastal waters.”
Dwiatmika explained that no tourists or guests have reported similar sightings. Residents and businesses in the area have also reportedly not reported any security disturbances on the beach.
He noted that a similar situation had previously occurred in 2013 and 2019. At that time, blacktip sharks were seen approaching coastal waters. This species of shark is known to be shy, avoid humans, and is harmless, typically following plankton and small fish.
Upon the request of The Nusa Dua ITDC, Water Police (Polairud) and the Coast Guard (Balawista) will continue to conduct routine patrols and monitoring of the coastal area to ensure tourist safety. The management also urges the public and tourists to remain calm and follow the directions of officers on the ground in the event of an emergency.
Dwiatmika “We urge the public and tourists to remain calm and follow the directions of officers in the field. We will provide further updates periodically as new, verified information becomes available.”
While it is extremely unlikely that dangerous sharks would be found in the waters off Bali, the coast is home to some of the most biodiverse waters in the world.
Tourists traveling to Bali and the outlying Nusa Islands must be aware that marine life sightings are a regular occurrence in the province, in the water, and on beaches.
It is not uncommon to find pythons on the beaches of Bali, including in top resort areas like Canggu. If a tourist comes across a python on the beach or in the shallow waters, there is no need to panic.
The advice is to walk away slowly and calmly and report the sighting to a lifeguard or a member of the local pecalang, also known as the village security teams, who can contact the relevant conservation agencies to safely relocate the snake.
At this time of year, it is also important for tourists to be aware of turtles and turtle nests, especially in areas like Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak.
While organisations like the Bali Sea Turtle Society work around the clock to protect nests and turtles, in the event that a tourist discovers a nest or a turtle on the beach that is in distress or is being disturbed by the public, it is important to report the situation to the Bali Sea Turtle Society, whose base can be found by the Kuta Tsunami Shelter.
Remove All Ads & Unlock All Articles… Sign up for The Bali Sun Premium
Plan Your Bali Holiday:
Book The Best English Speaking Drivers For Airport Transfers & Tours
Choose From Thousands of Bali Hotels, Resorts, and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
Book Cheap Flights To Bali
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance That Covers Medical Expenses In Bali
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
SUBSCRIBE TO NEW POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Bali Sun’s latest breaking news, straight to your inbox.
Discover more from The Bali Sun
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.