Shark numbers in False Bay fall sharply

04 May 2016 - 17:32 By TMG Digital

Shark sightings plummeted by 35% at False Bay beaches in the summer season. There were 92 sightings‚ compared with 142 the previous summer‚ the City of Cape Town said on Wednesday.Shark DDT claims beyond plausibilityI refer to the sensational headline "DDT found in great whites" by Tanya Farber in The Times. The beach that produced the most sightings - Muizenberg - had 33‚ while there were 24 at Fish Hoek.The busiest months for sightings were December‚ with 27‚ and January‚ with 23. There were no reports of shark attacks on humans."The presence of white sharks in False Bay fluctuates annually and this is most likely due to the dynamic nature of the natural environment‚ such as the changing average water temperatures and changing prey resources‚ said Johan van der Merwe‚ mayoral committee member for the environment.In approximately 71% of the 92 shark sightings‚ water users were present‚ and in 67% of these occasions the beach was cleared."It is important to note that not all shark sightings result in beach closures. This only occurs where the shark poses a threat to the safety of water users‚" said Van der Merwe.The shark exclusion net at Fish Hoek was deployed 101 times‚ mainly over weekends‚ public holidays and school holidays. "The exclusion net has proven to be an effective shark safety measure by creating a physical barrier that prevents sharks from entering the bathing area‚" said Van der Merwe.The net will be undergoing maintenance during winter and will be back for the annual Fish Hoek Spring Splash in September...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.