Shark Spotters, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
Key Objective:
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.
Why this is important:
The Shark Spotters believe that if they can reduce the already small risk of a shark bite then they 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.
Background
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 Spotters is now the primary shark safety programme used in Cape Town.
Aims and Objectives
Shark Spotters are positioned at strategic points along the Cape Peninsula, primarily in False Bay coastline. A spotter is placed on the mountain with polarised sunglasses and binoculars. This spotter is in radio contact with another spotter on the beach. If a shark is seen the beach spotter sounds a siren and raises a specific colour coded flag (see diagram below). When the siren sounds the water users are requested to leave the water and only return when the appropriate all clear signal is given.
Project leader:
Sarah Titley, Alison Kock
Partners:
Shark Spotters Website, City of Cape Town
Related threat:
Years funded:
2009 - 2011
Whale Shark Spotted in Noordhoek
— .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 02 April, 2012
Yesterday, 1 April, at approximately 11am, a large shark was spotted in Noordhoek by a group of surfers. They observed the shark patrolling up and down the inshore area, in beautiful crystal waters. The shark was originally thought by onlookers…
Shark Spotters report: White shark caught in experimental whelk fishing gear in Fish Hoek bay
— .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 13 March, 2012
At approximately 10.30 am on 11 March, Shark Spotters research manager, Alison Kock, was alerted by whelk fishermen operating in Fish Hoek bay that they had found a large white shark entangled in their fishing gear. By all accounts the…
Summer Season Update and Shark Spotters gets Published!
— .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 21 February, 2012
The Shark Spotters had a busy time over the festive season, with Cape Town’s beaches packed full of both local and international holiday makers. The spotters worked right through the holidays, and there were a total of 16 sightings between…
Shark Spotters are now even better equipped to keep you in the loop!
— .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 03 October, 2011
Awareness and education are core components of the Shark Spotters programme. Our new website allows us to keep the community in touch with the most recent shark sightings, shark warnings and other related information directly from the field. Check out…
Getting ready for the summer season and nearing our 1000th shark sighting
— .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 07 September, 2011
Recent shark activity After a quiet winter season on the Cape Peninsula, the Shark Spotting team is busy preparing for the upcoming summer season, which is sure to be a busy one! As we have come to expect, shark sightings…