Shark Spotters http://sharkspotters.org.za Safety | Conservation | Education | Research Mon, 14 May 2012 08:30:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Sharks Spotters in the News http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-30 http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-30#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 08:30:06 +0000 Shark Spotters http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-30 Shark Spotters in the News this week

]]> http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-30/feed 0 Update on Ocearch tagging and plans for False Bay 13.05.2012 http://sharkspotters.org.za/update-on-ocearch-tagging-and-plans-for-false-bay http://sharkspotters.org.za/update-on-ocearch-tagging-and-plans-for-false-bay#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 10:50:27 +0000 Shark Spotters http://sharkspotters.org.za/?p=1677 Update on Ocearch tagging and plans for False Bay

On the 4 May the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) re-instated the research permits to the Ocearch team and collaborating scientists after an investigation found no link between the tagging and fatal shark attack on David Lilienfeld. Tagging commenced in Gansbaai the following Monday and within two days six great white sharks ranging in size from 3 – 4.2 meters of both sexes were captured, tagged and released successfully. The total number of satellite tagged great whites from this expedition is 34 for the South African coast. The scientific information collected so far is exciting and for the first time scientists are collecting information from the west coast and Atlantic seaboard side of South Africa where very little is known about white shark presence, new coastal aggregation sites like the Wilderness are being revealed and two sharks have spent significant time offshore in the Southern ocean.

So far only three of the 34 sharks have been tagged in False Bay. There are six satellite tags remaining from the expedition to be deployed on False Bay great whites. Research has shown that False Bay has the largest average size sharks along the South African coast and indeed the largest shark tagged on the Ocearch expedition has been a 4.6 meter female from Seal Island, False Bay. These large sharks are the ones that pose a risk to beach users and therefore the ones important to monitor over the next 5 – 10 years. The use of satellite transmitters will enable the scientists to monitor the daily movements of each study animal for a period of up to five years. These data will be used to identify areas where white sharks are vulnerable to exploitation, identification of habitats that are critical for mating, birthing, and feeding, and insight as to whether South Africa’s white shark stock can adequately be conserved locally or whether regional or international cooperation is necessary. In addition, the use of internally placed RCODE acoustic transmitters will allow monitoring of the coastal movements of animals for up to 10 years showing their seasonal use of different habitats and residency in the coastal and near-shore zones where acoustic receivers are deployed. The information collected will help enhance bather safety through identifying areas and times of high shark activity, and assist scientists in correlating environmental and biological conditions to predict high shark presence in the future.

As per the permit conditions a maximum of 25 kg of chum can be used per day (equivalent to 5 standard boxes of pilchard). The sharks will be caught and brought onto the ships specialized platform which is initially submerged, but is then lifted out of the water for a maximum duration of 12-15 minutes while the satellite and acoustic tags are attached and sampling is completed. Each shark is assessed by a vet before tagging proceeds. The shark is monitored under veterinary guidance and maintained on the platform by water over its gills. The sampling protocols for this project are based on the latest scientific knowledge and work is being done according to agreed and approved protocols based primarily on ethical considerations which have been sanctioned by the Department of Environmental Affairs as well as through collaborating institutional ethics committees. Furthermore, an independent observer from the City of Cape Town will be onboard at all times for work in False Bay.

The research can be conducted in False Bay between 14 – 31 May. Only a few days are needed to complete the tagging of six animals during this time period. The days of work are weather dependent, and so far the plan is for the research to start at Seal Island on Tuesday morning 15 May. Shark Spotters (through our website, Twitter and Facebook) will provide updates on when tagging will take place and provide an update after each day of tagging.

For the first time scientists are collecting information on great white shark movements from the west coast and Atlantic seaboard side of South Africa - an area where very little is known about great white shark presence.

 

Namibia is the third country that South African tagged white sharks have ever crossed into. The first was Mozambique, then Australia and now Namibia

 

Following tagging the three satellite tagged sharks from Seal Island, False Bay remained in the bay for about two weeks, visiting both the island and near-shore areas between Sunrise Beach near Muizenberg and Strand. After their time in False Bay all three swam eastwards within a few days of one another and are currently between Gansbaai and Cape Agulhas. No satellite tagged sharks from other areas have been detected in False Bay yet.

This research is invaluable in the objective to find a balance between water user safety and white shark conservation along the entire SA coastline and for the first time members of the public can see the near-real time tracks of the tagged sharks themselves and follow their movements. A mobile app and social network platform is being developed to allow everyone to see the latest positions of the tagged sharks. In the meantime the tracks are updated weekly on the Ocearch Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OCEARCH

 

 

 

]]> http://sharkspotters.org.za/update-on-ocearch-tagging-and-plans-for-false-bay/feed 0 Sharks Spotters in the News http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-29 http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-29#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 08:30:57 +0000 Shark Spotters http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-29 Shark Spotters in the News this week

]]> http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-29/feed 0 Sharks Spotters in the News http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-28 http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-28#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:30:41 +0000 Shark Spotters http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-28 Shark Spotters in the News this week

]]> http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-28/feed 0 Sharks Spotters in the News http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-27 http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-27#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:33:28 +0000 Shark Spotters http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-27 Shark Spotters in the News this week

]]> http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-27/feed 0 Report and Review of Events at Kogel Bay “Caves” After Great White Shark Attack http://sharkspotters.org.za/report-and-review-of-events-at-kogel-bay-caves-after-great-white-shark-attack http://sharkspotters.org.za/report-and-review-of-events-at-kogel-bay-caves-after-great-white-shark-attack#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:24:05 +0000 Shark Spotters http://sharkspotters.org.za/?p=1640 Report and Review of Events at Kogel Bay “Caves” After Great White Shark Attack     

MEDIA RELEASE NO. 311 / 2012 20 APRIL 2012

As a result of the incident at Kogel Bay beach yesterday, 19 April 2012. The City of Cape Town has compiled a report of the incident which is below for information:

Introduction

At approximately 12:30 on Thursday, 19 April 2012, a 20 year old male, Mr David Lilienfeld was bitten by a Great White Shark at a popular surfing area known as “Caves” at Kogel Bay. The victim suffered the loss of his right leg and died in the water. Mr Lilienfeld was a member of the South African Bodyboarding Team.

The purpose of the review is to:

  • Establish the facts and ensure that the correct information is provided to authorities as well as the public;
  • Assess whether any reasonable actions could have been taken to prevent the attack;
  •  Identify areas / aspects that need to be improved to reduce the chance of further attacks; and
  • Provide a detailed account of the event for the record.

Shark Attack Details

The following account of the events leading up to the attack, the attack itself, as well as the emergency response has been compiled based on interviews conducted on 19 April 2012 with all relevant parties and eye-witnesses.

Although the accounts from various witnesses vary to some degree, as is to be expected following a traumatic event, the following can be considered an accurate description of the events leading up to the fatal attack, as well as the emergency response thereafter.

“Caves’” is a popular surfing area on the Northern-most end of Kogel Bay. It is a small cove located under steep cliffs, closest to the Gordon’s Bay side of the bay.

An eye witness, Mr Matt Marais, recorded that just prior to the attack he was surfing alone at the Caves. After he left the water two body-boarders paddled out to a distance of between 70 – 100m from the shore. Minutes after leaving the water he heard shouting and saw a body-boarder being attacked by a large shark. The eye witness recalled that a single shark attacked the body-boarder. Reports indicate that:

  • The two body-boarders (confirmed as brothers David and Gustav Lilienfeld) had been in the water for less than 10 minutes. They were facing the sea beyond the breakers.
  • The shark made three passes at Mr David Lilienfeld. Only on the third pass did the eye witness see blood surrounding the victim indicating that the first two passes did not cause injury to the victim. This is further confirmed by reports from the responding NSRI member who observed no additional injuries to the victim.
  • After the final strike, the shark moved away from the victim and did not approach the victim again.
  • Following the fatal strike the victim was motionless, indicating a severe attack that left the victim helpless and lead to his almost immediate death.
  • Eye witness accounts indicate that Mr Lilienfeld’s brother (Gustav), who was body-boarding with him at the time of the attack, tried in vain to reach and assist his brother. The two were however separated by strong wave action.
  • As he was unable to reach his brother, Gustav Lilienfeld left the water.
  • The shark was seen swimming in the area for at least 40 minutes after the attack
  • The waves and the current washed the body of the victim towards the shoreline.
  • Mr David Lilienfield’s body was pulled onto the rocks by bystanders.

 Emergency Response

The first emergency calls were received at 12.40pm. At 13:00, the NSRI arrived on scene by road and air and reported that the victim’s body was on the rocks at the base of the cliff. The NSRI took control of retrieving the body of the victim, as per standard protocol. The NSRI dispatched one of their vessels, as well as a helicopter, to assist. Due to the difficult location of the victim’s body and the proximity of the cliffs, the medevac helicopter was unable to retrieve the body and returned to base. At this point both the skipper of the vessel, as well as the helicopter pilot, reported the presence of two white sharks in the area.

At 15.10 pm, the victim’s body was recovered from the rocks by ground personnel and carried up to the road. The victim’s father and brother were on scene throughout the recovery of the body.

City’s Response

At 13.10pm the City’s Disaster Risk Management Department sent a SMS notification to all relevant City staff confirming the fatal shark attack. The City’s Environmental Resource Management Department (ERMD) immediately dispatched a team from the Shark Spotting Programme to the area to:

  • Assist with closing the beach
  •  Undertake witness interviews and investigate the events before, during and after the attack.

Once the team had been notified and dispatched, ERMD then notified the Sport, Recreation and Amenities (SRA) Department at 13:18 and requested that SRA assist in closing the beach to swimming with the assistance of their District Staff. SRA immediately arranged for the closing of the beach, and also confirmed the closure. A media release was issued informing the public. The Department of Environmental Affairs Oceans and Coasts Branch was also notified.

The White Shark Flag, indicating a closed beach due to shark activity, was raised at the main gate at Kogel Bay Resort, where visitors were advised of the beach closure at 14:45. A shark spotter was deployed to the “Cave” beach area and remained on site to actively inform the public. The shark spotter retuned to the “Cave” beach area on the morning of 20 April 2012 to continue ensuring beach closure.

Environmental Conditions

At the time of the attack, seas were calm with a 3-4 foot swell running, the water was “green and clear as described by the witness,” water temperature was 19 degrees, the sky was cloudless and the wind was mild south-easterly breeze. The eye witness also reported that just before the attack, a pod of 30 dolphins had moved through the area, as well as the presence of a number of actively feeding birds. At the time of the attack only the two body-boarders were in the water.

General Information

The area in which the shark attack took place is well known for White Shark presence, especially at this time of the year. Sightings of White Sharks by surfers at “Caves” and Kogel Bay are regularly received by the City’s Environmental Resource Management Department, as well as the Shark Spotters website. A breaching shark was reported two weeks ago and ERMD have also received reports of sardine activity.

Further unconfirmed reports from construction workers who were in the area indicate that two White Sharks had been seen in the area an hour before the attack.

A non-fatal white shark attack occurred at the same area in July 1999 (prior to City actively keeping records).

In 2006, the City and the Shark Spotting Programme initiated a trial of shark spotting at “Caves”. This was unsuccessful as the logistics of deploying shark spotters to an area without public transport access, or within reasonable cycling or walking distance of a major centre, resulted in the trial being suspended.

Shark Signage

The City has deployed Shark Smart information signs across its coastline in 2010. These signs have been installed at all nodal points. Site inspection on the 19 April 2012 confirmed that a Shark Smart sign is present and visible at Kogel Bay Resort. However, no sign is present at the access point to the Caves surfing area which is on the northern end of the bay.

Conclusion

1. Could the attack have been avoided within reasonable means?

In considering the above, the following should be noted:

  • Kogel Bay is a relatively remote area with little infrastructure and no permanent presence of City staff or services. The amenity function and services are located at the southern end of the bay at the Kogel Bay Resort.
  • White Sharks are known to frequently use this area, especially during the summer inshore period (late August to early May).
  • The presence of a pod of dolphins just prior to the attack as well as birds feeding beyond the shoreline is indicative of general feeding activity in the area and thereby indicates an increased likelihood of shark activity.
  • Just prior to the attack there were only two body-boarders in the water. It has been well documented that safety of individuals is increased by surfing/swimming/paddling in large groups

Considering all the above, it is the view of this report that the fatal shark attack could not have been avoided within reasonable means. Cape Town is a city of 3,5 million people residing along a coastline which forms the natural habitat for White Sharks. An unfortunate, tragic and regrettable result of this will be that, on occasion, shark attacks will occur.

Ocearch / Sharkmen Research and Documentary:

Although the City had no role in the issuing of the Ocearch / Sharkmen permit, and did not participate in the programme, it does, however, hold the view that all relevant scientific protocols, safety considerations and permit requirements were adequately considered by the authorities with the aid of expert input, prior to issuing the permit to operate in False Bay. In addition, the City was allowed on board as an external independent observer on Sunday, 15 April and reported the following:

  • “The exercise took place at Seal Island – very close to the northern end. I was on board from 15:00 to 19:30.
  • There was a fairly brisk westerly going south westerly blowing which later dropped off.
  • The chumming was much less than anticipated. A tuna head dangled off the stern and a mixture of crushed pilchards in water was intermittently ladled overboard. It could not have been more than 30l that was used in the time I was there.
  • The small boat hooked a +-3.9m female with a baited hook and brought it alongside and onto the cradle. The sampling and measuring took 13 minutes in total.
  • The entire operation was skilfully and professionally done and it was obvious to me that all involved care for these animals.”

The following critical point needs to be stated. During the attack the sharks dorsal fin broke the surface (as reported by the eye witness Mr Marais). If this shark had been one of the tagged sharks, the satellite transmitter would have given off a signal that would have been recorded on the system and located the shark at Kogel Bay. On assessing the data, no satellite records exist for that area. Two of the sharks tagged in False Bay have given off signals and were located in the Macassar/Strandfontein area shortly before the attack. The lack of satellite signal is clear information that the shark involved in the attack is not one of the sharks tagged by the Ocearch Research Programme.

Further, with regard to public speculation of the role of chum, the following should be noted. White sharks occur in False Bay in healthy numbers throughout the year. The small and limited chumming by Ocearch would not have attracted additional sharks to False Bay as the amount of chum used is insignificant in comparison to natural chum sources in the bay including the natural chum slick emanating from Seal Island, fishing activities in False Bay, by-products from Kalk Bay harbour as well as the small and immaterial chumming by permitted cage divers. Furthermore, the Ocearch Programme operated in False Bay at Seal Island on Sunday and Monday. The wind direction has been strong south east throughout the week. Any residual chum from their activities would have dissipated within hours and, due to the wind direction, moved from the island in an opposite direction to that of Kogel Bay.

As a result, there is no evidence or reason to suggest that the tagging of four White Sharks over a period of 24 hours from Sunday 15 April to Monday 16 April, in False Bay, by the Ocearch Programme had any role to play in the tragic events that occurred at Caves.

Although the City has, and continues to have, no role in the Ocearch Programme, as well as not feeling that it is appropriate, or required, to defend or support the programme, it holds the view that it is essential that the correct and factual information be provided to the public. Public and media speculation linking the two unrelated activities is uninformed and misleading.

2. Overall Response

  • All emergency response and notification procedures worked well and officials were notified within minutes of the attack, emergency response was on site within 20 minutes and all standard operating protocols were followed
  • The beach was closed to bathers and the standard White Shark Flag was raised at the coastal amenity
  • Shark spotters were deployed to the area and all available eye witnesses were interviewed and information drawn from these interviews was then collated

3. Recommendations for limiting future risk

  • The Shark Spotting Programme must be tasked with undertaking a detailed assessment of what would be required to install a full time shark spotting service at “Caves.” This assessment must be done immediately and consider:

o Budget implications for their operating budget

o Mechanisms to solve the logistical issue of getting staff on site for daily shifts

o Lack of general supporting infrastructure for their operations (electricity, facilities, cover and ablutions)

  • Shark Spotting Programme are to report, by 30 April 2012, whether they are able to provide a shark spotting service at “Caves”
  • Shark Smart information signs must immediately be installed at all access points along the road to “Caves”

 

The map is available on request at: media@capetown.gov.za

END

ISSUED BY: COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT, CITY OF CAPE TOWN

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

ALDERMAN BELINDA WALKER MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SPATIAL PLANNING CITY OF CAPE TOWN TEL: 021 400 1299 CELL: 083 629 8031, E-MAIL: BELINDA.WALKER@CAPETOWN.GOV.ZA

GREGG OELOFSE, HEAD: ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND STRATEGY, ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, CITY OF CAPE TOWN TEL: 021 487 2239 CELL: 083 940 8143

 

]]> http://sharkspotters.org.za/report-and-review-of-events-at-kogel-bay-caves-after-great-white-shark-attack/feed 8 Shark Spotters: Update on OCEARCH white shark research at Seal Island, False Bay 15 – 16 April 2012 http://sharkspotters.org.za/shark-spotters-update-on-ocearch-white-shark-research-at-seal-island-false-bay-15-16-april-2012 http://sharkspotters.org.za/shark-spotters-update-on-ocearch-white-shark-research-at-seal-island-false-bay-15-16-april-2012#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:49:07 +0000 Shark Spotters http://sharkspotters.org.za/?p=1629 Shark Spotters: Update on OCEARCH white shark research at Seal Island, False Bay 15 – 16 April 2012

Crew and scientists fit a real-time satellite tag, draw blood, and collect parasites from a large white shark. While on the platform a wet towel covers the sharks’ eyes, and a hose continuously flushes oxygenated seawater over the sharks gills.

The research in False Bay started at 3 pm on Sunday 15 April until 7:30 pm and again the next day, Monday 16th April from 8 am until 3 pm, when the southeasterly wind resulted in unsafe working conditions for the crew and scientists on the ship’s platform and prevented further work from taking place.

In total four sharks were captured and tagged at Seal Island. The sharks were brought onto the ship’s work platform where the crew and scientists were able to attach real-time satellite tags and acoustic tracking tags, with ten year battery life to enable long range and long term monitoring of movement and migration patterns. The scientists also drew blood, collected muscle samples for hormone and stable isotope analysis to determine their reproductive status and diet, collected length and other measurements, and collected parasites and bacterial samples from places like the teeth and gums.

Alison Kock, Research Manager at Shark Spotters and lead scientist in False Bay, was on board throughout the whole operation and in communication with our team on land, reported that the capture and sampling process was skillfully and expertly handled with the welfare of the crew, scientists and the sharks at the forefront. Alison said that the scientific value of the work being done in South Africa is unprecedented and the knowledge gained will enhance the ability of managers to make informed decisions to ensure the sustainability of South Africa’s white shark population. Furthermore, the information will ultimately contribute to our enhanced understanding of the sharks’ behaviour which will assist us in providing better information to enhance water user safety.

All sharks captured were females and ranged in length from 3.9 to 5 meters. The capture time ranged from 18 to 38 minutes and the time the sharks were on the research platform ranged from 11 to 16 minutes. One of the sharks had an old injury, a damaged dorsal fin (more than likely caused by a boat propeller) and could not have a satellite transmitter attached, but she was in good health and fitted with a long life acoustic transmitter and all the other data was collected. Another shark was entangled in fishing gear which was removed during the process.

It was observed that the amount of chum used was insignificant compared to daily existing natural chum created by Seal Island, and compared to daily chum created in the bay through normal fishing activities and sources such as Kalk Bay harbour. Further, chumming was equitable to the collective amount undertaken by the cage diving industry in the bay on a daily basis.

Ten sharks need to be tagged at Seal Island to collect data from a representative sample of the population. The research team has currently moved up the coast in search of better weather, and will complete the work at Seal Island when the conditions improve and a minimum of two days have passed as per permit condition.

To see the sharks’ tracks you can visit https://www.facebook.com/OCEARCH

A large, mature male white shark tagged in Gansbaai is ready to return to the ocean after attaching the satellite tag and all the scientific data has been collected.

Below is the latest statement issued by DEA regarding the research expedition.

MEDIA STATEMENT: Issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs                                                                    

16 APRIL 2012

OCEARCH-SHARKMEN RESEARCH PROJECT

The Department of Environmental Affairs would like to respond to some misleading and inappropriate statements issued by certain individuals that have no mandate to issues Shark Alerts to the public. These alarmist statements individuals are creating unnecessary public concern. This also diminishes the value of real alerts, such as, sharks being attracted to the Buffels Bay area by the whale which washed up on the beach a few days ago.

1. The Department has recently completed a draft Conservation Plan for Sharks. The plan emphasizes that Sharks are both poorly understood and that many species are threatened by human activities. It also notes the need for research in order to understand the basic life histories of a number of species, including migration, reproduction and population status. To achieve this, fairly large scale research is needed including finding out where animals move at different stages of their life and how they move between and utilize different habitats on shorter time-scales.

The Sharkmen initiative presented a unique opportunity for researchers to answer these questions. The initial data is already showing rapid large scale and coastal migrations, including several white sharks moving into the Southern Ocean and another moving between the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal and back (also showing where it stopped along the way). Genetic and other microbiological results will take longer to analyze but should allow statistically valid conclusions to be made about white sharks populations and their biology.

2. The sampling protocols developed for this project are the most comprehensive for any similar marine work in South Africa, if not globally for sharks. They were at all times designed to have the minimum impact on the sharks needed to accomplish the scientific objectives. In addition they have further been improved by undertaking an assessment of each shark immediately after being caught as part of this project before tagging or other work is done in order to ensure minimum impact. One of the aspects of the research also involves measuring the stress of sampling on sharks, which will guide future sampling.

3. When the work shifted to False Bay concerns for human safety became the main public issue. This is understandable as False Bay is a multi-user marine environment, and also has had a number of shark attacks recently. Therefore additional pre-cautionary measures were put in place by not allowing any chumming within the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, which effectively includes the coast from Cape Point to Muizenberg to a distance of at least 5 km offshore. Elsewhere in False Bay no chumming is allowed within 2 km of the coast. The amount of chum to be used in the Bay has unfortunately been exaggerated in some statements. For example, it is suggested all of the chum on board would be used in False Bay. This is definitely not the case. Not only is the amount of chum on board actually substantially less than the original estimated, but it is also being used at a lower rate than anticipated. An experienced Departmental official on board is monitoring this activity. In addition the City of Cape Town placed a senior staff member (unassociated with the project) on board on Sunday afternoon (from 1500-1930) to monitor operations, during which a white shark of 3.9 m was caught, tagged and released. He reported that “the entire operation was skillfully and professionally done and it was obvious to me that all involved care for these animals.”

4. The potential of sharks moving away from the White Shark Cage Diving areas following sustained increased activity, is something that was taken into consideration by restricting the amount of time that the research vessel could spend in the same area to 48 hours to be followed by a similar length break (e.g. work elsewhere) before sampling could resume in the same area.

5. Although the above comments pertain to white shark research, a few days have been set aside for research on other species of sharks, such as seven gill sharks. As the catching of these species is not the management responsibility of the DEA, but rather the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, this work is primarily authorized through them.

Background:

The Sharkmen/Ocearch project is a collaborative research initiative comprising research on large sharks in SA waters. The initiative comprises a number of projects involving leading SA shark researchers in collaboration with a few international scientists. Following internal evaluation in December 2012 the project was authorized by an umbrella permit issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs to Ocearch in early January 2011. This was subject to each research project being authorized and issued with its own research permit.

It was agreed from the outset that a specialist panel including members from inside and outside government, including a state vet with considerable experience in working on sharks, would draw up detailed protocols for each type of sampling activity in order to ensure that the sharks were treated ethically.  These sampling protocols were augmented by additional permit conditions indicating what methods could be used to catch sharks. Further permit conditions for work in False Bay and Gansbaai were added based on consideration of feedback from the City of Cape Town, the experience of researchers on the first leg (to Mossel Bay and Algoa Bay in March), and inputs from White Shark Cage Dive (WSCD) permit holders who were sent a Communication Statement about the planned research on 20 March 2012, and again on 10 April 2012.

Issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs

For further inquiries contact:

Zolile Nqayi

082 898 6483

021 819 2423

Link to statement from Department of Environmental Affairs (16 April 2012)

http://www.environment.gov.za//NewsMedia/MedStat/2012Apr17/ocearch_sharkmen_research.htm

Link to statement from Dyer Island Conservation Trust (14 April 2012)

http://www.dict.org.za/blogs/2012/04/smooth-sailing-success-for-ocearch-in-gansbaai

Link to statement from Shark Spotters (12 April 2012)

http://sharkspotters.org.za/shark-spotters-statement-regarding-ocearch-expedition-false-bay

 

]]> http://sharkspotters.org.za/shark-spotters-update-on-ocearch-white-shark-research-at-seal-island-false-bay-15-16-april-2012/feed 3 Sharks Spotters in the News http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-26 http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-26#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:30:59 +0000 Shark Spotters http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-26 Shark Spotters in the News this week

]]> http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-26/feed 0 Shark Spotters statement regarding Ocearch Expedition: False Bay http://sharkspotters.org.za/shark-spotters-statement-regarding-ocearch-expedition-false-bay http://sharkspotters.org.za/shark-spotters-statement-regarding-ocearch-expedition-false-bay#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:45:28 +0000 Shark Spotters http://sharkspotters.org.za/?p=1619 Shark Spotters statement regarding Ocearch Expedition: False Bay

This project has recently received a lot of attention and some concerns have been raised about the possibility of increased risk to water users in False Bay. As a result it is appropriate for the Shark Spotting Programme to now release a formal statement in that regard to its stakeholders and beach user groups.

The Ocearch research/documentary expedition was not initiated by the City of Cape Town or the Shark Spotting Programme. The permit and approval for this initiative has been provided by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) Oceans and Coasts Branch who are mandated to coordinate research and issue research permits on marine protected species. The research component is a collaboration between local and international scientists representing 16 research institutions, while the filming component is run by Fischer productions.

The role of formal communication is through DEA and the Shark Spotting Programme believes that more open communication regards this project to the public and users of False Bay would have gone a long way in ensuring that the correct and factual information was provided in advance of the project commencing in False Bay.

When given the opportunity, the City of Cape Town and the Shark Spotters requested that permits be amended to include:

1) No chumming to take place within any inshore areas (closer than 2km from the coast) in False Bay

2) The City of Cape Town may place an observer on board one of the Project Vessels subject to a request being made 2 days in advance (or less should it be mutually agreed) for work in any area outside of the approved White Shark Cage Diving area in False Bay.

Considering these facts, the Shark Spotting Programme does however hold the following view on the activities in False Bay:

1)      The scientific value of long term satellite tracking of white sharks will add significant insight into their ecology and behaviour and will ultimately contribute to our enhanced understanding of these animals which will assist us in providing better information to enhance water user safety.  We cannot learn more about these animals without this kind of work being done.

2)      Research at this scale has never been conducted before in South African waters and the costs of such work are prohibitive. As such, funding by documentary filmmakers is necessary to finance the scientific research

3)      The view that has been circulated that 5 tonnes of chum will be used in False Bay is factually incorrect and has created significant miss-information amongst the public. The vessel will operate in multiple areas between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas for relatively short periods of time and a DEA official on board will monitor all activities. In False Bay, the research will primarily take place at Seal Island and surrounds as this is where the highest concentration of white sharks are present at this time of year.

4)      The Shark Spotting Programme has worked with Mike Meyer from DEA for many years and has the greatest respect and confidence in his integrity and knowledge.  Mike will be on board at all times and will have overall control of all fishing and tagging aspects and as a result the Shark Spotting Programme is confident that all the necessary checks and balances will be in place.

5)      Further, as one of over 30 scientists involved in this project, the Shark Spotting Research Manager Alison Kock will be on board during all False Bay work and will liaise directly with the Shark Spotter Programme field staff from the boat throughout the operation.

Finally, given that the Ocearch project will work in False Bay for a few days between 10 – 30 April, our role is to ensure that where possible all relevant checks and balances are in place which we believe we have achieved. Our spotting teams will be on the mountain and on the beaches as they are everyday and our standard safety protocols will apply.  Where necessary we will provide any updates via twitter and our website.

To view the tracks of the tagged sharks visit https://www.facebook.com/OCEARCH

To read DEA’s official response regards chumming in False Bay during the expedition visit

http://www.zigzag.co.za/features/exclusives/8965/AUTHORITIES-ANSWER-CONCERNS-OVER-CHUMMING

]]> http://sharkspotters.org.za/shark-spotters-statement-regarding-ocearch-expedition-false-bay/feed 0 Sharks Spotters in the News http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-25 http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-25#comments Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:16:54 +0000 Shark Spotters http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-25 Shark Spotters in the News this week

]]> http://sharkspotters.org.za/sharks-spotters-in-the-news-25/feed 0