“We believe that if we can reduce the already small risk of a shark bite then we can make a meaningful contribution to white shark conservation, contribute to the community’s well-being and set a precedent in how people and sharks can co-exist.”
ACCOUNT NAME: Shark Spotters
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 073 493 449
BRANCH: Standard Bank, Blue Route
BRANCH CODE: 025609
Shark Spotters is a pioneering shark safety programme that has attracted international and local attention because of the novel way it seeks to find a solution to potential conflicts between sharks and people. Adopted by the City of Cape Town in 2004 in response to a spate of shark bite incidents and increased shark sightings, Shark Spotting is now the primary shark safety programme used in Cape Town.
Shark Spotters improves beach safety through both shark warnings and emergency assistance in the event of a shark incident. It contributes to research on shark ecology and behaviour, raises public awareness about shark-related issues, and provides employment opportunities and skills development for Shark Spotters.
“We believe that if we can reduce the already small risk of a shark bite then we can make a meaningful contribution to white shark conservation, contribute to the community’s well-being and set a precedent in how people and sharks can co-exist.”
Shark Spotters is a registered non-profit organisation managed by Kommetjie Environmental Awareness Group (KEAG). KEAG is a well-established NPO with over 18 year’s experience in environmental project management on the Cape Peninsula. KEAG is dedicated to the preservation of the natural environment and to the upliftment of our living environment, which is achieved through the managing of diverse but interrelated projects that create employment and deal with real environmental needs.
Ongoing research on white sharks is critical to informed decision-making, appropriate policy adoption and community empowerment. Shark Spotters has aligned with the Save Our Seas Shark Centre, Marine and Coastal Management and University of Cape Town on white shark research being conducted on the population of white sharks in Cape Town. Shark sightings collected by the spotters will be integrated with current research findings to provide a thorough understanding of the coastal nature of these apex predators. Shark Spotters will respond where possible to shark emergencies to collect all the relevant information and test new developments in shark safety technology.
After a spate of shark bites in 2004 and an increase in shark sightings close to popular beaches, shark spotting developed out of a need driven at the local and community level. Initially shark spotting was done on an ad hoc basis in Muizenberg, started by Greg Bertish of Tru Blue Travel, who asked individuals working as car guards at the time to keep watch from the mountain overlooking the beach, and warn them through use of their cell phones, of any sharks visible in the area.
