Officials immediately closed the beaches on the Caribbean island’s northwestern-facing coast and issued a temporary ban on reef tours and scuba-diving. They were also using drones to scan the waters.
Mr Smith is reported to have lost his left leg and left arm in the sudden attack. Farley Augustine, chief secretary of the Tobagonian government, a role equivalent to prime minister, called on tourists and locals, including fishermen, to stay out of the water.
“Out of an abundance of caution (for the remaining portions of today), we are forced to temporarily close beaches: Plymouth, Courland Bay, Black Rock, Mt Irvine, Buccoo, Pigeon Point, Store Bay and all coastal areas in between,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
“Currently, we are doing drone reconnaissance/surveillance, coastguard surveillance, and the Department of Fisheries is combing the area to ensure safety.”