Shark Safety and Shark Bites

Fostering long-term co-existence between people and sharks requires a sound understanding of the problem and innovative thinking about ways to keep people and sharks apart. This research aims to understand factors that contribute to shark bites. In addition we conduct independent research on emerging and existing shark mitigation technologies.

WHAT WE’VE LEARNT SO FAR

Shark spotting and a shark exclusion net are two non-lethal methods successfully used in Cape Town to foster co-existence between people and sharks.

Kock, A.A and J.M. O’Riain. (2015). Living with white sharks: non-lethal solutions to shark-human interactions in South Africa. In: Conflicts in Conservation – Navigating Towards Solutions. Redpath, S.M., Gutierrez, R.J., Wood, K.A., Young, J.C., Evely, A. and Reed, M. (Ed). Cambridge University Press.

The shark exclusion net in Fish Hoek, False Bay is an environmentally friendly solution that keeps people and sharks apart without killing marine life or harming the environment.

Kock, A. A. Waries, S., Davison, A. Gold, H. and Oelofse, G. (2014). Fish Hoek Shark Exclusion Net Evaluation Report. Final report to the City of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

The electric shark deterrent, Shark Shield, is effective at deterring white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) under certain conditions, but did not deter sharks 100% of the time.

Huveneers, C., Rogers, P.J., Semmens, J., Beckmann, A.A. Kock, B. Page and Goldsworthy, S. (2013). Effects of an electric field on white sharks: In situ testing of an electric deterrent. PLOS ONE 8(5): e62730. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0062730

Shark spotters uses a combination of surveillance, shark alerts, research and awareness to improve the safety of water users in Cape Town, while supporting shark conservation.

Kock, A. A., Titley, S., Petersen, W., Sikweyiya, M., Tsotsobe, S., Colenbrander, D., Gold, H. and Oelofse, G. (2012). Shark Spotters: A pioneering shark safety programme in Cape Town, South Africa. In Global Perspectives on the Biology and Life History of the Great White Shark, ed. Michael L. Domeier, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Shark attacks are rare, but increasing across the globe.

Curtis T.H, Bruce B, Cliff G, Dudley, S.J, Klimley, P.A, Kock A, Lea, R.N, Lowe C.G, McCosker, J.E, Skomal G.B, Werry J.M, West, J.G. (2012) Responding to the risk of white shark attack: Updated statistics, prevention, control methods and recommendations. In Global Perspectives on the Biology and Life History of the Great White Shark, ed. Michael L. Domeier, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Following a spate of shark bites in Cape Town, the City of Cape Town and WWF (South Africa) convened a specialist workshop which concluded that Cape Town’s best approach to shark safety would be to support a grass roots community programme, namely Shark Spotters, and to invest in research and education.

Nel. D. C. and Peschak, T. P. (2006). Finding a balance: White shark conservation and recreational safety in the inshore waters of Cape Town, South Africa: proceedings of a specialist workshop. WWF South Africa Report Series – 2006/Marine/001.

White shark population growth is unlikely to be the reason for the spate of shark attacks in False Bay from 2004 – 2006.

Kock A. A., Johnson, R.L., Bester M.N., Compagno L., Cliff G., Dudley S., Gennari E., Griffiths C.L., Kotze D., Laroche K., Meyer M.A., Oosthuizen W.H. and Swanson, S. (2006). White shark abundance: not a causative factor in numbers of shark bite incidents. In Nel. D. C. and Peschak, T. P. (eds). Finding a balance: White shark conservation and recreational safety in the inshore waters of Cape Town, South Africa: proceedings of a specialist workshop. WWF South Africa Report Series – 2006/Marine/001.

A preliminary analysis of acoustic tracking data showed no direct relationship between the breaching of the Zandvlei estuary (False Bay) and white shark presence.

Sign up for our newsletter