Shark Spotting and Management Program:

Shark Spotting and Management Programme:

The noticeable increase in shark activity in False Bay and Fish Hoek Bay culminating in the fatal attack on a bather in Fish Hoek bay in November 2003 prompted us together with a working group made up of interested people from within the community and local government to form a Shark Watch and management Project. This resulted in the introduction of a permanent spotter situated on the mountain slope above Fish Hoek Bay from an advantaged lookout point. Sabu was the first spotter who came from the net trekking community on the beach. He became quite a celebrity with people coming from all parts of the peninsula and the world to see the operation of the project and he was interviewed by journalists for various articles and documentaries.  The system that was put in place was simple but effective allowing nature and humans to interact in the same environment. Once the lookout spots a shark approaching the Fish Hoek Bay, he sounds an alarm siren similar to those used during the air raids of WW2 and then the Lifeguards and beach Law Enforcement clear the water of any bathers. Later a flag system was added to warn bathers of the current state of safeness of the water.

This was already being used at Muizenburg Beach at the time and was introduced to numerous other beaches around the peninsula where sharks were regularly spotted, by the Nature Conservation who by this time had taken over the entire project. They finance and control the project from a central point in partnership with the various interest groups all working and co-operating with each other to make sure that all who use our waters are doing so in the safest conditions possible. Go to www.sharkspotters.org.za for further details with regard to this programme and see a weekly “shark-O-Meter”.

Shark (Great White) Sighting Frequencies for Fish Hoek:

It is difficult to determine the reason we have had an increase in sightings over the last few years and this is best left to the professionals to explain, but what we can give are the stats. From 2003, the same year the fatal attack took place there were about 3 to 4 sightings daily with sightings of the same sharks on a regular basis. Compared to 2006 and 2007 where we now have stats that would show a sighting of about 1 shark every 5 days and no regular visits of the same sharks, although this cannot be definitely proven to be the same visitors, the local spotters seem to be able to pick up patterns, markings and sizes they to have and do.

Flag Shark Warning System:

The following flags can be seen flying on Fish Hoek Beach in front of the Law Enforcement’s offices and when the lifeguards are on duty at the Lifesaving club duty tower. The flags have the following meanings and bathers are requested to heed there warnings.