News just heard is that there was a shark attack at Clovelly Corner on Fish Hoek beach this morning, Wed 28 Sept. The victim, a 42 year old male, is in a critical condition, having lost his right leg and part of his left leg in the attack.
According to Mike Schilperoort of Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club, the attack happened at about 12.20. The water is very clear and has been warm. Great White sharks have been active close to shore in Fish Hoek Bay since Saturday, and three sharks have been sighted in Fish Hoek Bay in the hour since the attack. The shark attack occurred in shallow water.
Mike says that all systems were in place – the emergency services and a helicopter responded to the emergency calls immediately. However, the power outage that has affected most of the City of Cape Town this morning resulted in the shark siren not funtioning.
Clovelly Corner does have a shark flag system, but we have not been able to confirm that Shark Spotters are on duty at Clovelly at this time of the year. The sharkflag at Fish Hoek Beach where Shark Spotters are on duty all year round is not visible from Clovelly Beach.
Fish Hoek beach has been closed until further notice.
Viv
Click here for statistics of shark sightings for Fish Hoek and South Peninsula Beaches as well as the Shark Spotter duty times: https://scenicsouth.co.za//2011/08/seasonal-increase-in-great-white-sharks-safety-tips/
Click here for information about the shark warning system: https://scenicsouth.co.za//2010/08/new-shark-signage-at-city-beaches/
15 Comment
JULIAN HOBSON, October 21, 2011 at 11:06 pm
It is now some three weeks since the shark attack at Clovelly corner. There have been the not-unexpected knee-jerk reactions. Now a more sober assessment of the impact this has/will have on the Fish Hoek Community can be made.
There is an opportunity to begin/ continue/ extend a conversation on the impact of this incident on the Fishhoek Community. Some questions/issues that are likely to arise include the following:
There are positive and negative impacts flowing from this incident. How do we harness the positives and ringfence the negatives?
What are the facts relating to shark attacks/shark behaviour in False Bay over the past two-three years? How do we harness this information to establish a safe swimming area along Fish Hoek Beach?
What resources are available to assist the community to resolve this challenge? The nature of these incidents evoke strong reactions – from environmentalists, businesses, local residents and visitors. Emotions can run high….. Can we craft a process where all parties concerns are adequately addressed – and the shark, seal,baboon, penguin and the Cape floral kingdom continue to form part of our unique Scenic South?
ReplyRudi Coetzee, October 21, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Please also see FB “Save Our Cape Beaches”. They are trying to find a solution to the problem and have recommended a few. Please also look on the Sharkspotters website under “Shark Information”. The have a full report with regards to a workshop that was held in 2006. Funny, none of the recommendations suggested by the KZN Sharks Board were ever experimented with or implemented. So in 5 years nothing has been done except for expanding the Sharkspotters’ functions.
ReplyStudy HK full enclosure netting. This will work in Fish Hoek. They suggest a pier at Muizenberg with the above netting to protect the Corner area 100%
willem, October 15, 2011 at 7:13 am
There are enough other sharks to maintain a balance in the sea.
ReplyMan eating sharks should be wiped out.
I will contribute financially to this wipe-out project.
Russell, October 13, 2011 at 12:25 pm
One Shark one bullet for me
ReplyRussell, October 13, 2011 at 12:23 pm
One shark-one bullet for me after all we don’t get lions in Fish Hoek so why should we get Sharks
ReplyAnnie, September 29, 2011 at 10:45 am
I am puzzled over the lack of response of the authorities. I have lived in Cape Town my whole life and these shark attacks did not occur except once every 10 or 20 years. Since there has been chumming for shark cage diving the shark attacks have increased radically. Just because shark cage diving organizers deny the connection, obviously for their own gain, it doesn’t mean that they are right. People are losing limbs, or loved ones for the gain of a few – it’s just incredibly selfish!
ReplyLisa, September 28, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Its really awful that this has happened and this kind of thing is always a shock. Let us hope the victim survives. Please don’t let’s have a huge overreaction – this guy was warned – no- one else was swimming – he was really deep -50m from the shore is far out. Let’s hope he survives. It will be great if all journalists stick to the story and we don’t hear reports about him being in shallow water! 50m out means he was in deep! In the shark’s territory. He took a risk and it didn’t pay off. The shark spotters do a great job and did their best to stop him. Let us keep the reaction realistic.
ReplyViv, September 28, 2011 at 4:21 pm
At the time of the shark attack at Fish Hoek beach this morning most of the City of Cape Town was experiencing a power outage, which did affect the shark alarm, according to a spokesman. Fish Hoek beach had been closed by the Shark Spotters twice this morning before the shark attack and was closed when the attack took place. The shark spotters had warned the swimmer, a regular swimmer who knew the risks, not to swim, but he chose to do so at Clovelly Corner. Shark Spotters ran down the beach with air horns to alert the swimmer to the presence of the shark, but it was too late to prevent the attack.
ReplyAccording to the spokesman, by law no-one can actively prevent a swimmer from entering the water if he really wants to swim.
The Shark Spotters will have a debriefing in a closed session tomorrow.
Kristin, September 28, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Here is a media release of the City of Cape Town I received.
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
MEDIA RELEASE
28 SEPTEMBER 2011
Fish Hoek shark attack victim hospitalised
At approximately 12:15 today, 28 September 2011, a swimmer was attacked by a great white shark at Clovelly corner on Fish Hoek Beach.
Immediate reports indicate that the victim sustained severe injuries and lost his lower right leg as a result of the attack. He has been airlifted to hospital for treatment.
At 10:45 this morning, the Shark Spotters sighted the shark and closed the beach to users. The White Shark Flag was raised and the siren was set off. When the victim entered the water, the beach was still closed and the shark flag indicating the presence of a white shark was flying. The Shark Spotter stationed on the beach was warned by the Shark Spotter on the mountain that someone had entered the water. The Shark Spotter then ran to Clovelly Corner to try and get the swimmer out of the water, but the attack took place before he could reach him.
The victim of the shark attack was the only person in the water at the time of the attack.
The City’s Emergency Services staff are on the beach providing assistance and the City has closed Fish Hoek beach as well as Glencairn, St. James, and Muizenberg beaches as a precaution. The shark responsible for the attack is still in Fish Hoek bay and is being monitored by the spotters.
The beaches will remain closed until further notice.
End
Issued by: Communication Department, City of Cape Town
ReplyDoodlelidoodlelidoo, September 28, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Really sad, all over the news!!!
ReplyShame I feel really sorry for the man!
I live in the area and i havnt been there for a while, maybe thats good. Will stick to the pool, i think!!?!
Fish Hoek shark attack: Fish Hoek beach closed | The Scenic South, September 28, 2011 at 2:58 pm
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ReplyKevin Williams, September 28, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Does anybody know this poor guys name?
ReplyViv, September 28, 2011 at 3:04 pm
His name has not yet been released.
ReplyGT, September 28, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Apparently the sirens are battery operated according to spokes person for NSRI…
ReplyViv, September 28, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Hi Gareth
ReplyI have phoned someone in the know to clarify this and will publish his response as soon as I have it.
Viv