South Africa: Increased shark activity along the coastline of the Southern Cape & the Eastern Cape!

South Africa's National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), a voluntary non-profit organization tasked with saving lives through drowning prevention in South Africa, local Municipalities along the Southern Cape and Eastern Cape coastline and marine authorities  are appealing to coastal users, in particular bathers, paddlers, surfers, body boarders and kite boarders, to exercise caution due to increased inshore shark activity. According to the NSRI, over the past weeks and more recently increased shark activity has been noticed along the Southern Cape coastline from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay and the Eastern Cape coastline from Storms River, Tsitsikamma, to Jeffrey's Bay. A large shark, for instance, was spotted in the breaking surfline at Secrets Beach across Commercial Marine (Jeffrey's Bay) on 25 May 2022. Surfers cleared the water without incident.

International Shark Attack File: South Africa experienced two non-fatal shark attacks in 2018

According to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File (ISAF), South Africa experienced two non-fatal shark attacks in 2018*. Another four remaining unclassified attacks from South Africa are still under investigation. A total of 130 incidents of alleged shark-human interaction occured worldwide in 2018. Out of the 130 interactions between humans and sharks, 66 cases are confirmed unprovoked shark attacks on humans, while 34 are confirmed as provoked attacks on humans.

• Unprovoked Attacks - 66 incidents
• Provoked Attacks - 34 incidents
• Boat Attacks - 9 incidents
• Scavenge - 4 incidents
• Habituation - 1 incident
• Public Aquaria - 1 incident
• Doubtful - 10 incidents
• Not Confirmed - 5 incidents
• Total Cases - 130 incidents
  

The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) defines unprovoked attacks as "incidents where an attack on a live human occurs in the shark’s natural habitat with no human provocation of the shark" and provoked attacks as incidents where "a human initiates interaction with a shark in some way. These include instances when divers are bitten after harassing or trying to touch sharks, attacks on spearfishers, attacks on people attempting to feed sharks, bites occurring while unhooking or removing a shark from a fishing net, etc." [src.]

 
The International Shark Attack File (est. 1958) is housed at the Florida Museum of Natural History and is the only scientifically-generated database that documents and monitors shark attacks on a global basis.

*South Africa has an annual average of four total shark attacks and one fatality.

Cape Town: Spring and Summer Months = Shark Time!

The City of Cape Town would like to remind beachgoers to adhere to the warnings that will be issued by the shark spotters on duty at eight beaches in Cape Town to ensure that everyone has a safe, enjoyable beach experience. The Shark Spotters will be on duty from 12 December 2018 to 07 January 2019 at the following beaches:

• Muizenberg
• St James/Kalk Bay
• Caves in Kogel Bay
• Glencairn
• Clovelly
• Monwabisi 
• Fish Hoek
• The Hoek in Noordhoek
  

The shark exclusion net is already being deployed at Fish Hoek beach from 09:00 to 17:00 on a daily basis (weather permitting) as the presence of sharks along the False Bay coastline is more prevalent during warmer months.

The Shark Spotters Information Centre at Surfers Corner in Muizenberg is open to the public from 08:00 until 18:00 seven days a week. The centre provides up-to-date information on sharks and marine ecology, basic first-aid, general public assistance and help with emergencies, and storage of valuables and lost property.
 
The shark spotters operating times will be as follows:

• Muizenberg
• Summer (October to April) Mon - Sun, 08:00 - 18:00
• Winter (May to September) Mon - Sun, 08:00 - 18:00
• St James/Kalk Bay
• Summer (October to April) Mon - Sun, 08:00 - 18:00
• Winter (May to September) Mon - Sun, 08:00 - 18:00
• Fish Hoek
• Summer (October to April) Mon - Sun, 07:00 - 18:45
• Winter (May to September) Mon - Sun, 08:00 - 18:00
• Caves, Kogel Bay
• Summer (October to April) Mon - Sun, 08:00 - 18:00
• Winter (May to September) Mon - Sun, 08:00 - 17:00
• Nordhoek (The Hoek)
• Summer (October to April) Mon - Sun, 08:00 - 18:00
• Winter (May to September) N/A
• Clovelly
• Summer (October to April) Weekends, Public Holidays and School Holidays 10:00 - 17:00
• Winter (May to September) N/A
• Glencairn
• Summer (October to April) Weekends, Public Holidays and School Holidays 10:00 - 18:00
• Winter (May to September) N/A
• Monwabisi
• Summer (October to April) Weekends, Public Holidays and School Holidays 10:00 - 18:00
• Winter (May to September) N/A
  

The City of Cape Town encourages the public to familiarise themselves with the following safety tips:

• Use beaches where shark spotters are on duty
• Take the time to speak to the shark spotters on the day you visit the beach
• Use the shark spotters signs to familiarise yourself with the four-flag warning system and warning siren – the green flag indicates that spotting conditions are good; the red flag indicates that there is a high risk of in-shore shark activity; the black flag means spotting conditions are poor; and the white flag with the black shark indicates a shark has been spotted (a siren will sound and all should leave the water immediately)
• Do not swim, surf or surf-ski when birds, dolphins or seals are feeding nearby
• Do not swim, surf or surf-ski where trek-netting, fishing or spear-fishing is taking place
• Do not swim in deep water beyond the breakers
• Do not swim if you are bleeding
• Do not swim near river mouths
• Do not swim, surf or surf-ski at night
• Do not swim, surf or surf-ski if there has been a whale stranding nearby
• Obey beach officials, lifeguards and shark spotters if told to leave the water
• Be aware that the rate of encounters with white sharks rises significantly when the water temperature is warmer (18ºC or higher) and during new moon, due to increased opportunities for feeding
• If a shark has recently been sighted in an area where no shark spotters are present, consider using another beach for the day
• First-time visitors to beach areas should ask the local law enforcement official, lifeguard or locals about the area
• For those people kayaking or surf-skiing far out to the sea, please consider paddling in groups and staying close together (in a diamond formation)
• Consider using a personal shark shield when you go surfing or kayaking
• Pay attention to any shark signage on beaches
  

The City of Cape Town also encourages visitors and residents of Cape Town to download the Shark Spotters mobile app to access the latest shark safety information, including what flag is flying at each beach, the latest shark sightings, net deployments, and much more. The app is available free of charge for Apple and Android devices and can be downloaded by searching for "Shark Spotters" on the app store.

KwaZulu-Natal: KZN Sharks Board strike continues - most beaches not safe for swimming!

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence (KZNSB) 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 in KwaZulu-Natal. Bathing is currently open at the following beaches:

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

Visitors to the beaches are requested to check with the lifeguards prior to entering the water at any of the non-mentioned beaches.

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. 

KwaZulu-Natal: KZN Sharks Board strike continues - most beaches not safe for swimming!

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence (KZNSB) 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 in KwaZulu-Natal. 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
  

Visitors to the beaches are requested to check with the lifeguards prior to entering the water at any of the non-mentioned beaches.

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.

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.

South Africa: Re-instatement of shark safety gear on beaches in KwaZulu-Natal

According to media release by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence (KZNSB) shark safety gear has been reinstalled and bathing reopened at the following beaches in KwaZulu Natal:

North Coast: 

• Richards Bay - Alkantstrand
• Zinkwazi
• Blythedale
• Salt Rock
• Willards Beach
• Westbrook
• Umhlanga Rocks

Durban: 

• Ushaka to Suncoast Beach inclusive

South Coast: 

• Amanzimtoti
• Umzumbe
• Southport
• St Michaels
• Margate
• Ramsgate
• San Lameer
• Glenmore
• Port Edward
  

The KZNSB will continue to deploy gear at the remaining beaches tomorrow (03 August 2018). Intense sardine and associated predator activity is still being experienced on the upper south coast between Illovu and Scottburgh. The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence will continue to monitor this activity and only replace gear at beaches within this region once the activity subsides.

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.

South Africa: Shark nets removed from KwaZulu-Natal's beaches due to strike action!

According to a recent media release by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence (KZNSB), all shark safety gear at protected beaches along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal has been temporarily removed due to upcoming strike action over wage and other demand negotiations by their workers. The strike, which is initiated by the South African Liberated Public Sector Workers Union (SALIPSWU), is set to start on 27 July 2018. The duration of this strike action is unknown at this time.

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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.

Cape Town: Shark Spotters has launched a new app!

Shark Spotters, the primary shark safety programme used in Cape Town, has launched an innovative app to assist swimmers and surfers to be more shark smart at Cape Town's beaches. The app provides water users with all the latest shark safety information at the city's beaches, including which flag is currently flying and why. The flags fly for various reasons, including:

• poor spotting conditions due to cloud cover
• shark sightings
• an indication of water temperature
• the lunar phase
• an indication of whether the shark exclusion barrier in Fish Hoek has been deployed or not

screenshot

The app is updated by the Shark Spotters on duty in real time so users can be assured that they always have the most current information at their fingertips to help them make a personal assessment about shark risks when entering the water.

The Shark Spotters app also provides information regarding:

• weather conditions
• marine animal activity in the area (such as whales, seals, dolphins, sunfish etc.)
• the details of amenities on the beaches
• short surf videos of isolated surf spots covered by the programme that do not have live web-cams in operation
• safety tips to reduce the risk of encountering a shark
• information about shark activity in Cape Town

The Shark Spotters app is available on iOS and Android platforms and is free to download. 
    

Cape Town: Spring and Summer Months = Shark Time! >>

Study: South Africa's great white sharks are heading for possible extinction

update (02 August 2016): The Earth Touch News Network asks: Are South Africa's great white sharks really "dying out"?

According to a six year study by the Stellenbosch University, South Africa's great white sharks are heading for possible extinction. The study of the country's coastal waters, the largest field research study on South Africa's great white sharks undertaken to date, concluded that only 353 to 522 great white sharks remain. This is 52% fewer than what was estimated in previous studies. The main reasons for the sharp decline in white shark numbers are the impact of shark nets and baited hooks implemented on the eastern seaboard of South Africa. Other contributing factors are poaching, habitat encroachment, pollution and depletion of their food sources.
The reseachers also found that the South African population of great white sharks is made up of an effective population size of only 333 individuals. The effective population size is the number of individuals in a population who contribute offspring to the next generation.

An integrated mark-recapture and genetic approach to estimate the population size of white shark in South Africa

Shark Diving in South Africa >>

Cape Town: Shark season safety precautions

The annual shark season in and around Cape Town has just started and the City of Cape Town has therefore issued list of advises all beach and ocean users should be aware of:

• use areas where Shark Spotters are on duty, and take the time to speak to the Shark Spotters on the day you visit the beach
• read the shark spotting signs to inform yourself of the four-flag warning system and warning siren
• do not swim, surf or surf-ski when birds, dolphins or seals are feeding nearby
• do not swim, surf or surf-ski where trek-netting, fishing or spear fishing is taking place
• do not swim in deep water beyond the breakers
• do not swim if you are bleeding
• do not swim near river mouths
• do not swim, surf or surf-ski at night
• do not swim, surf or surf-ski if there has been a whale stranding nearby
• be aware that the rate of encounters with great white sharks rises significantly when the water temperature is warmer (18ºC or higher), and during new moon, due to increased opportunities for feeding
• if a shark has recently been sighted in an area where no Shark Spotters are present, consider using another beach for the day
• first-time visitors to beach areas should ask the local law enforcement official, lifeguards or locals about the area
• obey beach officials if told to leave the water
• those who kayak or surf-ski far out to the sea should consider paddling in groups and staying close together (in a diamond formation)
• consider using a personal shark shield when you go surfing or kayaking
• pay attention to any shark signage on beaches

Kayakers and surf-skiiers are specifically asked to be cautious of the area between Sunnycove and Glencairn Beach, and swimmers are urged not to use the water off Jaegers Walk in Fish Hoek unless the exclusion net is deployed, as this is considered a high-risk area. The City has erected warning signs along Jaegers Walk to this effect.
Surfers are asked to be especially vigilant in the areas between Sunrise Beach and the Macassar Beach area during the spring and summer months, as research has shown that shark presence in these waters is common at this time of year. (via capetown.gov.za)

Shark sightings in and around Cape Town typically start in late August, and continue through to April, with most sightings reported in mid-summer. For more information on the latest shark sightings and research, and to report sightings of white sharks, visit the website of Shark Spotters.

South Africa: Four shark attacks resulted in three fatalities in 2012

The Ichthyology department of the Florida Museum of Natural History has released the annual International Shark Attack File (ISAF) report. According to the report, 118 alleged incidents of shark-human interaction occurred worldwide in 2012. 80 of the 118 incidents represented confirmed cases of unprovoked* shark attack on humans. The 38 incidents not accorded unprovoked status in 2012 included 16 provoked attacks, eight shark-boat interactions (motorised and non-motorised vessels), five incidents regarded as not involving a shark ("doubtful"), one "air-sea disaster," three "scavenge" incidents involving post-mortem bites, and five cases in which available evidence was insufficient to determine if an unprovoked shark attack occurred.
Most shark attacks occurred 2012 in the United States. A total of 53 alleged incidents of shark-human interaction were reported. Australia ranked second with 14 attacks, four attacks took place in South Africa, three in Reunion and one in Indonesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Tonga and on the Canary Islands.
Globally, seven fatalities resulted from unprovoked attacks in 2012. Three of the seven occured in South Africa, two in Australia, one in the United States (California) and one on Reunion.
The four attacks in 2012 in South Africa equal to the country's past ten-year average of four attacks, while the three fatalities were higher than its recent yearly average of one per year. Within the past ten years South Africa has had years with as many as eight attacks (2010) and four fatalities (2009) but also a year (2006) with not a single reported attack.

*"Unprovoked attacks" are defined as incidents where an attack on a live human by a shark occurs in its natural habitat without human provocation of the shark.

Five unprovoked shark attacks and two fatalities in South Africa in 2011

The Ichthyology department of the Florida Museum of Natural History has released the annual International Shark Attack File (ISAF) report. According to the report, the shark-related deaths in 2011 were higher than they've been in nearly 20 years.
The International Shark Attack File investigated 125 alleged incidents of shark-human interaction occurring worldwide in 2011. Out of the 125, 75 of these incidents represented confirmed cases of unprovoked shark attack on humans, a number closely matching the decade average.
The ISAF defines "unprovoked attacks" as follows: "Unprovoked attacks" are defined as incidents where an attack on a live human by a shark occurs in its natural habitat without human provocation of the shark. Incidents involving sharks and divers in public aquaria or research holding-pens, shark-inflicted scavenge damage to already dead humans (most often drowning victims), attacks on boats, and provoked incidents occurring in or out of the water are not considered unprovoked attacks.
Countries with multiple unprovoked attacks include 29 in the USA, 11 in Australia, 5 in South Africa, 4 in Reunion, 3 each in Mexico and Russia and 2 each in the Seychelles and Brazil.
As expected, surfers and others involved in board sports account for about 60% of these unprovoked shark attacks, swimmers account for 35% and divers for about 5%.
12 fatalities resulted from unprovoked attacks in 2011. Australia had 3 shark attack fatalities in 2011 and there were 2 each in Reunion, the Seychelles and South Africa, and 1 each in Costa Rica, Kenya and New Caledonia.
According to the director of the International Shark Attack File, George Burgess, the average global fatality rate for the last 10 years was just under 7%. Excluding the United States, which showed no shark-related fatalities in 2011, the international fatality rate averaged at nearly 25% last year.

Port Elizabeth: Fishing ban because of sharks

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (Port Elizabeth) is currently considering and urgent ban on fishing close to recreational beaches after it became apparent that chumming – a custom of throwing cut-up fish in the sea to catch sharks – is taking place close to surfing, paddling and swimming areas. According to the municipality, a public participation process would be started soon.

View Larger Map

The Municipality’s Beach Office recommended a ban on angling from Kings Beach (Southern) Harbour Wall to Flat Rock (Beacon) and other beaches – 500 meters away from lifeguards demarcated bathing areas – such as Bluewater Bay, St Georges Strand, Brighton Beach and Wells Estate.
Wild Side beaches such as Maitlands, Blue Horizon Bay and Van Stadens River Mouth are also included.
This decisive action follows after concerned surfers, a paddler and other stakeholders raised concerns of chumming and fishing close to recreational beaches that could be dangerous for public safety.
However this does not mean that a complete ban on fishing will be implemented since angling will still be allowed from Beacon down towards Willows, Schoenmakerskop and outside bathing areas where lifeguards are on duty.
If the bylaws are enacted, transgressors could face a maximum fine of R10000 and the concerned areas would be monitored by closed circuit television.