Finding A Balance – White Shark Conservation &Safety–2005
Fact Sheet 1 – Great White Shark
Fact Sheet 2 – Mitigation Measures
Fact Sheet 3 – Shark–Based Toursim and Encounters
Fact Sheet 5 – Useful Contacts
Shark Report – A Sober Voice on an Emotive Issue
ACCOUNT NAME: Shark Spotters
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 073 493 449
BRANCH: Standard Bank, Blue Route
BRANCH CODE: 025609
Great White Sharks are apex predators and are a naturally occurring species in Cape waters where they play vital roles in the health of our marine ecosystems. They predate on squid, fish, other sharks, seals and even scavenge on dead whales. The largest Great Whites can reach up to 6.1 meters. They are present year-round in Cape Town, but utilise different habitats during the different seasons. In winter (Apr – Sep) most shark activity is concentrated around seal colonies where Cape fur seals, particularly juveniles, make up a significant part of their diet. Whereas in summer (Oct – Mar) sharks are distributed along the coast often within close proximity to beaches where it’s suggested they prey on fish and smaller sharks, mate or give birth or simply prefer the warmer inshore waters. Great Whites are fully protected in South Africa and cannot be hunted, killed, fished or harmed and doing so could see you imprisoned for two years, fined R50 000 or both. They are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, which means they face a high risk of extinction. Attracting sharks without a permit is illegal and prohibited.
Shark bites are rare with a single person killed in 2007 worldwide by a shark. On the Cape Peninsula, the first fatalities were recorded at Seaforth and Simonstown, in 1900 and 1901. Since 1960 however, only 25 attacks have occurred on the Cape Peninsula. That is less then one attack per year. Of these 25 attacks on the peninsula, a high percentage have been on spear fishers. Only four of these last 25 attacks have proved to be fatal. Sharks don’t see people as their natural prey, but they may occasionally bite to investigate what you are, they may also bite because they feel threatened or in some cases they may even mistake people as their prey.
To date the spotting system has proven to be an effective warning and shark safety system. However, like any other system, it can never be 100% effective as it is vulnerable to human error, weather conditions and water quality issues such as bad visibility.
Great Whites are not the only sharks in Cape waters. In fact South Africa is an incredibly diverse place with as many as 100 different kinds of sharks. Many species like small cat sharks are endemic to our region. Larger sharks found in the Cape include Bronze Whaler, Ragged Tooth and Broadnose Sevengill sharks. Mako and Blue sharks are found off Cape Point. Smaller species like the Smoothound and Soupfin sharks, which are preyed on by Great Whites, are common in the area. Many ray species, relatives of sharks, occur close to shore too. Most sharks are not dangerous to people. Species such as the bronze whalers, ragged tooth sharks and possibly basking sharks can be misidentified as white sharks.
During 2005 - 2007, 483 shark sightings were recorded at Shark Spotting Beaches around Cape Town by the programme, demonstrating its effectiveness as a warning system for beach recreational users. However, people are reminded that no safety measure is 100 % effective and remains vulnerable to human error, weather conditions and water quality issues. Entering the ocean is always at your own discretion, but by following these tips you can reduce the risk of a shark bite even further.
- Consider using a Shark Spotter Beach
- Don’t swim in deep water beyond the breakers
- Don’t swim if you are bleeding
- Don’t swim near river mouths
- Don’t swim, surf or paddle at night or on your own
- Don’t swim, surf or paddle when birds, dolphins or seals are feeding
- Don’t swim, surf or paddle near trek-netting, fishing or spearfishing
- Paddle in groups and stay close together
- Pay attention to shark signage on beaches
- Don’t dive for rock lobster using a bait bag
- Speak to Shark Spotters, law enforcement officials or life-guards about the area you plan to use
- Obey beach officials if told to leave the water
Central from a landline: 107
Central from a cell phone: (021) 480 7700
Police Flying Squad: 10111
NSRI: (021) 449 3500
Fire Department: (021) 590 1900
Metro Rescue: (021) 948 9900
Tygerberg Poison Information Centre: (021) 931 6129
Poaching: Sanparks: (021) 7865656
