Be Shark Smart

The highest concentration of great white sharks in the world is found in and around False Bay outside of Cape Town, South Africa.

On the Cape Peninsula, the first shark attack fatality was recorded in 1900 followed by another one year later. Although attacks would periodically happen in the area, in the last twenty years, the number of shark attacks in the Cape Town area has been increasing dramatically. 

However, despite more and more crowded beaches up and down the bay, since 1960 only 26 attacks have occurred (less than one every two years) and only 4 have been fatal.  Regardless, in order to take extra steps to ensure the safety of its residents and visitors, in 2004, the city of Cape Town adopted the Shark Spotters safety program.

Fifteen to twenty shark spotters are positioned on the mountains along the False Bay coastline overlooking nine of the most popular beaches with polarized sunglasses and binoculars. The spotter on the mountain is in radio contact with another spotter on the beach. If a shark is seen, the beach spotter sounds a siren and alerts swimmers to exit the water.

In addition to the siren, swimmers are always alerted to the current situation via shark flags. At all times, a shark flag is flying over the beach. The color of the flag indicates the current situation:

- a green flag indicates that spotting conditions are good and no shark has been spotted;

- a black flag indicates that spotting conditions are poor but no shark has been spotted;

- a red flag indicates that although a shark is not currently visible, one has been spotted in the past hour or two;

- a white flag indicates that a shark is currently in the water. This flag is always accompanied by the siren. 

 

In addition to the flags, there are shark spotter signs on all of the beaches with information about the current conditions and most recent shark sightings.

Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the shark spotters, some people choose to ignore available information and warnings. This past October, a local man went into the water for his daily swim despite the beach being closed. He was attacked by a great white shark and lost his right leg above the knee. When these incidents happen, there is always a public outcry to cull sharks or to put in shark nets to keep them away from the beaches. Personally, I think that humans are “borrowing” these waters from marine animals and we need to learn to use them safely.

Between 2005 and 2008, 476 shark sightings were recorded. In 2007-2009, only one minor incident between a shark and human occurred in False Bay. Also, in addition to helping with safety for swimmers, the program also helps shark conservationists to study shark behavioral patterns.

As someone who has spent some time enjoying the beaches of False Bay, I’d like to thank the shark spotters who keep the beaches safe for swimmers, surfers, and others.

But more importantly, as someone who enjoyed seeing great whites up close and personal, I applaud the efforts of this organization to find solutions to keep the waters safe for both man and the majestic great white shark!

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