With the extensive media coverage of the shark attack on Mike Cohen on the 28 September, an incident which has resulted in the closure of many of the False Bay beaches for extended periods of time, passions have been re-ignited on both sides of the Great Shark Divide. We feel that it is essential to get a balanced and broad view of the current situation with the aim of finding a win-win situation for both human beings and sharks.
We hope that you have filled in our survey. If you have further comments to make, sign into our Forum or use the comment block below. Please send the link to the survey on our home page https://scenicsouth.co.za// to those in your social circle who may also have been affected in some way by shark incidents in Fish Hoek Bay over the past few years.
See also https://scenicsouth.co.za//2011/10/great-white-sharks-frequenting-fish-hoek-beach/
A Fish Hoek Shark Spotters Story:
https://scenicsouth.co.za//2010/03/fish-hoek-beach-past-and-present/
14 Comment
Mike Schilperoort, November 8, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Hello Jenny ,
The point of the survey was to establish whether the recent shark attacks have had any effect on the local business community. It was also done to give us an insight on whether there would me merit in pursuing the idea of a safe swimming area on Fish Hoek Beach. If the majority of respondents were against using a safe , defined swimming area , then we would not go down that road. The preliminary results of the survey are expected later this week and will be published in the local press for your perusal.
The matter of the shark flags comes up from time to time and the answer to the question is as follows:
The colours of the flags are determined by an international body and are the same around the world. If visitors are unclear on the meaning of the flags there are a number of well positioned signboards on Fish Hoek Beach and local other beaches where Shark Spotters are on duty , detailing the meaning of the different flags.
Thanks for your comments.
ReplyJenny Whitehead, November 8, 2011 at 11:33 am
I was puzzled by the last two questions in the survey. “I will swim…..” and then “I will swim if it’s safe…” (to that effect). Are the two meant to be mutually exclusive answers? What does “safe” mean in the context of this question? What is the purpose of the survey? It seems to me that there’s a bias in the way that the questions are framed.
May I suggest that you conduct a survey to see how many people can remember what the various shark spotting flags mean? I’ve done my own informal survey: almost without fail, the people I speak to can’t remember, much as they’ve tried. There’s no logic or positive associations with the colour coding that underpins this communication system. Which is not to say that the whole idea is flawed; just that the design of the flags should be revisited.
Fish Hoek beach is stunningly beautiful, sharks and all.
ReplyEvelyn Aspin (nee Laslett), October 31, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Whilst I have not been back to SA for a considerable time I would be very wary of swimming in the water at Fish Hoek beach but it would not stop me going to the beach or visitng Fish Hoek. Actually Fish Hoek was my home for many years and I have some wonderful memories of the whole area.
As I am planning on a visit next year Fish Hoek and Table Mountain will most certainly be on my agenda. The shark attack has put me off swimming in the bay but not the area or surounding areas.
South Africa and Fish Hoek in particular will always be home to me despite living elsewhere.
ReplyWilliam, October 17, 2011 at 12:28 pm
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.
Geoff, October 17, 2011 at 12:26 pm
News of the recent shark attack was temporarily a lead news item on CNN, which I was watching in Paris. The local (Johannesburg) correspondent gave an overview of the circumstances of the attack, which was not sensationalising but sober and factual. If any viewers had been contemplating coming as a tourist to Fish Hoek, they would not be turned off. It was clear that the authorities and (most) local people are aware of the danger, and have put extensive safety measures into place. Locals, the shark spotters and the City authorities all came out as careful and caring, leaving the victim as someone who had acted stupidly.
ReplyAll the best,
Geoff
Paul West, October 15, 2011 at 6:14 pm
I have been surfing in False Bay since 1961 and although we saw sharks around, they never seemed to bother bathers and surfers. Something must have changed their behaviour. It seems no one will admit what is causing the problem so lets stop arguing about the cause(although it is the best way to solve a problem) and look at solutions that improve on the one we currently have to keep swimmers and surfers safe. The spotters are wonderful and should remain until a better prevention measure is proven and could then be fazed out if applicable. In the last few years, I have very seldom seen a green flag (and I try to surf amlmost every day) so this means the spotters can’t see most of the time. Are we fooling oureselves thinking the spotters are keeping us safe. The black flag has become like the green flag so we surf anyway as otherwise we will hardly ever get into the water. The red flag is now seen as a caution and many surfers are straight back into the water after the white flag comes down. As we saw with the latest attack the warnings were ignored, and one can say we told you not to swim, but that actually does not solve the problem given the urge to swim/surf when conditions are good. One gets desperate for a surf so one takes the risk. We need a way to keep sharks out of the bathing and surfing areas. Nets apparently cause deaths amongst various sea creatures so that is not an option. I like the suggestions of a chain of shark repellant devices that get charged and layed out to protect an area during the day then get recharged at night. I am not sure how the funds would be raised at Fish Hoek but for Muizenberg I suggest the following: On a busy day at Muizenberg there are up to 400 surfers, so for example if each donated R250 once off that would raise R, well on the way to covering about 100 meters. Thereafter we could ask the surf shops to have collection boxes where people can donate towards the cost. As the surfshops lose business, after attacks, I am sure they wont mind helping with this. We could also arrange music and comedy functions to raise funds as is done for the shark spotters.
ReplyMorgan Will, October 14, 2011 at 3:32 pm
How did I know someone would bring all this up again… And how did I know that someone would suggest culling or killing the sharks…
I too used to swim at the beach almost every day… And yes, there is a fear of the water. I won’t go swim at the beach now. But I have no anger about it. I respect the ocean and all its inhabitants. That is not my place. I am human.
I was one of the medics at the beach the day Mr Cohen got bitten, and I saw the shark in the water while we were busy working on him. It was amazing. I won’t lie. I’ve never seen a shark in the water here. I’ve heard the siren plenty times, but not once seen one shark. I feel for Mr Cohen, I really do. I don’t know if I would survive an attack like that. But, I have seen humans do worse to each other, and cruelty from our own kind is far more evil than any animal has ever inflicted upon their own kind.
I believe very strongly that if you don’t want to be bitten, then stay out of their territory. That is not our place, no matter what we have accomplished as humans with technology. We do not see a shark, whale, fish, dolphin, seal etc… Walk down our main roads everyday. We have destroyed this planet. Not the creatures placed here long before us. We have killed off wild animals and destroyed their homes, not the other way around.
As usual we humans believe we are greater than every other living creature, and so the first thought is to kill, destroy, and be rid of… Are we really that evil? Its sad to think, that one day, if that day comes, that my children will only hear about these amazing creatures in stories and see pictures in books. I disagree with any culling of any animal. The world is over-populated by humans… Why not start an annual culling of us? You can pay for a 6 month license and get a gun and start shooting people? That way there would be a decrease in poverty, AIDS, unemployment… You see where I am going?
I watched the videos of sharks in the water taken this last week. And I am intrigued and amazed by these beautiful, graceful “monsters”. They fascinate me. They’re intelligence and power is unbelievable. I have more respect for any animal than human.
And nets and other contraptions are only going to destroy our oceans even more. We will never see whales or dolphins here. There will be an increase in deaths of these mammals, and we will only have ourselves to blame. Instead build a tidal pool. Other beaches have them. Why not here? Anywhere you go in the world, you do with a risk. You walk out your front door, and there’s a thousand different things that could kill you. Life itself is a RISK… So why is there such a big deal about going into a place that we know has predators?
Again, I was there. I saw the shark. I don’t know if its the one that attacked Mr Cohen, but it was a beautiful creature, that I’d never seen before. And Mr Cohen knew the risks of getting into that water, just like we all know the risks of when we climb into our cars everyday, and the risks of walking across a road.
If you don’t want to be bitten, killed, injured. Stay at home in a padded room. And never come outside. Because I’m more afraid of walking down a road and being murdered, than I am of going into the ocean.
Morgan Will
ReplyFish Hoek
Cape Point Route, October 14, 2011 at 1:11 pm
We completed the survey and the one question that was not asked is if any businesses have seen any benefits. We have had more requests than usual from people wanting to go shark cage diving and viewing. Also having lots of people calling for directions to come fin spotting. (Binocular sellers would be doing an excellent trade!). Has anyone else seen a business benefit? We could market a different kind of tourism and still enjoy swimming, paddling, diving, surfing etc
I for one will still swim at Fish Hoek, it’s a beautiful beach, but I will check for an all clear first and know which flag is which…and respect an amazing system that works.
We highly recommend reading an article by Lesley Rochat(Shark Warrior!) “Rethink the Fish Hoek ‘shark attack’”
Replyhttp://sharkwarrior.squarespace.com/news-and-blog/rethink-the-fish-hoek-shark-attack.html
Viv, October 13, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Shark talk at Shark Centre Kalk Bay tonight
Dr Mark Meekan, leading whale shark researcher, grew up with the family boat on the coast of New Zealand and has ended up as a marine biologist, working in both Canada and Australia, where he is now based in Perth. His passion about sharks and in particular the whale shark, the world’s largest fish, has led him into some amazing interactions with these mysterious, giant creatures. He’s on a mission to find out all he can about them and wants everyone to discover their eco tourist appeal.
Dr Meekan will be speaking at the Shark Centre in Kalk Bay tonight, Thurs 13 October at 7pm. Call the Shark Centre on for more information.
There is no charge for the talk, and tea and coffee will be served.
ReplyKevin Baker – Operations & Media – Save Our Seas Shark Centre – 28 Main Rd, Kalk Bay, 7975, Cape Town. – T: M: E:
Liane Greeff, October 13, 2011 at 4:03 pm
I was forwarded the survey re the impact of shark attacks at Fish Hoek Beach.
I found it difficult to answer because the last question is “Will you swim if there is a safe demarcated area?”
The answer is yes. But I would much prefer to swim if the beach is not demarcated. I definitely do not want to swim in a little space between flags.
If the survey is to have any relevance it should clearly state all alternatives and I should be able to answer clearly re my preference.
As it stands it will erroneously indicate that people want to swim in demarcated areas, without any information pertaining to the beach remaining undemarcated. I used to live in KwaZulu-Natal where the beaches are demarcated and it was horrible having little crowded areas to swim in.
I like the freedom to choose which part of the beach I swim in – I like swimming near the Cat walk and near clovelly. I generally choose quieter sections for the nature experience.
Hope this helps.
Liane Greeff, Coordinator, EcoDoc Africa
ReplyDawid Mocke, October 13, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Please allow the Fish Hoek Lifesaving Club to extend and improve on their current safe(r) swimming area with use of the shark shields.
This is NOT in competition to the Spotters (what a ludicrious opinion that would be) or because we don’t trust the spotters, it’s merely an addition to the current shark safety program we have.
Then, can we please build a tidal pool which will ENSURE 100% safe bathing year round. The beach is Fish Hoek’s greatest (only?) asset; we must make it safe.
Every time the siren goes off it creates panic. Yesterday they used the siren to scare a guy out of the water because he was going deeper than his waist and they didn’t like that. That’s not right; I was about to run in and rescue him! The siren should only be used when it’s evident that a shark will be getting close to bathers. If they want to let people know that there are sharks in the bay then they should have the red flag up as per protocol.
I have many more thoughts but let’s leave it at that for now.
ReplyJean Beveridge, October 12, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Would it not be possible to put up shark nets (possibly with the electronic shark repellers) for the peak swimming season only (november to february), and only from the catwalk to the life-saving hut. This provides a measure of security, without creating a permanent net that may cause environmental damage. The actions of all involved in the latest incident were excellent, and the shark spotter program is clearly necessary. Having swum at Fish Hoek most of my life, and never had shark attacks, I am highly reluctant to swim there again and sad that what once gave me so much pleasure has effectively been destroyed by the increase in sharks.
Jean Beveridge
ReplyNorman Greenfield, October 12, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Why close the beaches ? Why all this hot air? – This was one man who broke the rules and wouldn’t listen.
ReplyGlenn Ashton, October 12, 2011 at 4:49 pm
We must re-evaluate shark interaction policies in light of the sharp increase of shark activity around our most popular bathing beaches.
The shark cage dive industry in South Australia is presently taking stock how its cage dive industry conducts itself. Conservation authorities have suggested need to decrease in the number of operators there because of shark habituation to chumming.
Notable changes in behaviour of the great white sharks have been found in relation to shark cage diving tourism, particularly those that chum to attract sharks. Sharks have been shown to remain around cage diving boats when operating, with potential negative impacts on feeding patterns.
The Australian shark cage dive industry operates a long distance from any recreational beaches, unlike False Bay. Here we have sharks being chummed a mere 3 miles from Strandfontein beach. Popular surf spots Cemetery and Nine Miles are adjacent and Muizenberg and Fish Hoek beaches lie within a 10 mile radius of the island.
Our local experts – few who have been involved in this arena for long enough to draw meaningful conclusions – cannot confidently state that we have neither proven increases in shark numbers nor changes in their behaviour.
Such claims fly in the face of years of experience by water users in the area – surfers, anglers, divers, kayakers, swimmers – who agree that the present levels of local shark activity are unprecedented.
While we have potentially prevented the decline of an apex predator, we must shift beyond the ad-hoc management presently being practiced. Nets, drumlines or culling are not options.
However there is nothing to stop us placing an immediate moratorium on all shark dive related chumming within the bounds of False Bay. Shark diving and observation tours can continue; chumming and baiting of sharks must cease.
If within a reasonable time, say 5 years, notable changes in shark behaviour are found, then we – the people who live here and rely on tourism, together with relevant authorities – can collectively re-evaluate the situation.
We must balance tourism priorities. While shark tourism is a draw-card, many more visit us to swim, surf, dive, kayak and sail in the waters of False Bay. The priority and emphasis on shark cage diving is skewed.
Like the Austrailians, we must re-evaluate our interaction with our great white shark populations. To continue to permit chumming apex predators within a primary tourism node is demonstrably anachronistic.
Glenn Ashton
Noordhoek
Eds comment Recent research by australian scientists with the South Oz Environmental Department working with Shark Cage Dive companies indicates that shark behaviour is affected by chumming. Apparently sharks are staying in the general area longer than in previous years and also spend more time in the vicinity of the Cage dive operators who chum. KimK
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