KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board: Most beaches in KwaZulu-Natal closed due to industrial action!

update (02 September 2018): According to the latest media update (31 August 2018), the KZN Sharks Board is still experiencing industrial action with its labour force. Due to the limited forces available, the organisation has had to temporarily reduce the number of protected beaches. Bathing is currently open at the following beaches:

• North Coast: Willards Beach (Ballito Bay main beach), Umhlanga Rocks main beach.
• Durban: Ushaka to Bay of Plenty Beach inclusive
• South Coast: St Michaels, Uvongo, Lucien, Margate, Ramsgate, Southbroom, San Lameer.

According to media release by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence (KZNSB), the organisation is currently experiencing industrial action with its labour force. Due to the strike, the KZNSB has had to temporarily reduce the number of protected beaches in KwaZulu-Natal it is able to service with the limited resources available. Bathing is currently open at the following beaches:

• North Coast: Willards Beach (Ballito Bay main beach), Umhlanga Rocks main beach.
• Durban: Ushaka to Suncoast Beach inclusive
• South Coast: Hibberdene, Umzumbe, Southport, St Michaels, Uvongo, Lucien, Margate, Ramsgate, Southbroom, San Lameer and Trafalgar.
  

Visitors to the beaches along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal are requested to check with the lifeguards prior to entering the water at any of the non-mentioned beaches. We'll keep you posted!

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence (KZNSB) maintains shark nets and drum lines off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal to protect bathers and surfers from shark attacks at a total of 37 beaches. Most of the shark nets deployed by the KZNSB are 214m long and 6m deep and are secured at each end by two 35kg anchors; all have a stretched mesh of 51cm. The nets are laid in two parallel rows approximately 400m offshore and in water depths of 10-14m.