Sharks are under threat either as a food source, as a result of sport fishing or due to anti-shark measures. The South African government issues over 100 permits to foreign long-liners to fish our waters. There is no control on the catch. Sharks are caught for their fins and this method results in the live animal being cruelly dumped back into the sea after its fins have been hacked off.

Another equally cruel method, are the shark nets. Kwa-zulu Natal has these gill nets installed from Richards Bay in the north to Mzamba in the south. These nets joined together would add up to 44 kilometres of netting. These nets are designed to cull sharks and unfortunately indiscriminate- ly catch harmless species, such as dolphins, skates, rays, whales and whale sharks. Very few of these animals are released alive.Dead dolphin caught in nets

The three most "dangerous" shark species occurring in Kwa-zulu Natal's waters are the Great White, the Zambezi (Bull) and Tiger Shark. Most shark attacks occur in dirty water or at night and are a case of mistaken identity. The shark has very acute sensory organs and keen eye sight. In restricted visibility, the shark senses possible prey by vibrations and electrical impulses. Lacking visual discrimination, it takes an exploratory bite. In most cases, it realises its mistake and leaves its victim, as humans are not its natural prey. Unfortunately, sharks are very powerful animals and severe damage occurs from this bite. This does not give man the right to exterminate these magnificent animals to protect bathers. People need to be educated that we are invading the sharks' environment and do so at our own risk.

Shark nets cause irrepairable damage to the eco system and need to be replaced by a more environmentally acceptable method. The Natal Sharks Board has developed an electrical repellor (the Pod), which, they claim, will replace the gruesome nets. Due to the harsh nature of our coastline, the technology to supply this device with a reliable power source in the ocean is, unfortunately, still years away.
Dead shark caught by
trophy fisherman

The Great White is protected in South African waters. Ironically, the Natal Sharks Board catches 20 to 50 of this species each year, probably more than were killed by trophy fishermen before the ban. Sharks bear live young, have a long gestation period with small litters and are, because of this, extremely vulnerable to the exploitation by man through fishing and shark nets. African Dive Adventures has stopped shark fishing competition on Protea Banks, when sharks were caught merely to be photographed and dumped by the "brave" individuals who defeated them with sophisticated fishing equipment. By bringing this barbaric competition to the public's attention, African Dive Adventures has made the Shelly Beach Ski-Boat Club strike the competition from its program. Unfortunately, charter and commercial fishermen still regard the large sharks on Protea Banks as pests and indiscriminately hunt and kill them as they prey on their catches.

Andy Cobb of Eco Diving - another dedicated shark conservationist - and myself, have brought this matter to the attention of the relevant authorities and proposed legislation to stop the slaughter. What is needed is more public outcry to bring pressure on the government to change the laws.

If you want to support our efforts to get all sharks protected in South Africa, please email us at:
afridive@venturenet.co.za