South Africa has long been celebrated as one of the world’s prime destinations for encountering great white sharks, drawing scientists, tourists and thrill-seekers from all over to the country’s coastline, particularly in the Western Cape.
Recent years, however, have seen a worrying trend: substantial declines in the numbers of great white sharks frequenting their traditional gathering sites along the Western Cape coast.
Also read: Why are great white sharks disappearing from South Africa’s waters?
These sites, including Seal Island in False Bay, have historically served as essential locations where these magnificent predators congregate to feed, interact and rest.
However, according to Shark Spotters, things at False Bay are looking hopeful with four confirmed reports of great white shark sightings in False Bay within the last week.
The Shark Spotters at Muizenberg sighted a white shark on Monday, 27 November, and Wednesday, 29 November.
Over the weekend, a white shark was spotted by spear fishermen at Smitswinkel Bay on Saturday, while another sighting was reported off Roman Rock lighthouse by an experienced water user on the same day.
‘At this stage, it is unclear whether these are sporadic, one-off sightings, or if this may signal the return of white sharks to False Bay in more numbers,’ Shark Spotters said in its shark advisory on Facebook.
‘In either event, we would like to remind water users to exercise caution whenever they enter the ocean and be aware that there may be more white shark activity in the Bay than we have experienced in recent years,’ it added.
So while there may or may not be an increase in great white sharks at False Bay, Shark Spotters advises beachgoers to be vigilant when engaging in water activities and to follow simple safety tips to reduce the risk of encountering a shark.
Shark Spotters’ simple safety tips:
- 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 spearfishing is taking place.
- Do not swim in deep water beyond the breakers.
- Do not swim if you are bleeding.
- Do not swim, surf or surf-ski at night.
- Do not swim, surf or surf-ski if there has been a whale stranding nearby.
- 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 officials, lifeguards or locals about the area.
- Obey beach officials if told to leave the water.
- For those who are kayaking or surf-skiing far out to the sea, 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.
- White flag – a shark has been spotted, siren will sound
- Black flag – spotting conditions are poor
- Red flag – high shark alert
- Green flag – spotting conditions are good
‘If you see a white shark please report it to the emergency services if it is close to water users and also report to Shark Spotters,’ concluded the shark advisory.
- NSRI: 021 449 3500
- CoCT Emergency: 107 (landline) or 021 480 7700 (cell phone)
- Shark Spotters: sharkspotters.org.za
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Picture: Shark Spotters / Facebook