Divers hooked into shark fight

2003-08-14 10:02

Craig Bishop

Durban - A South Coast diving company is at loggerheads with a local fishing charter it has accused of decimating shark numbers off the Protea Banks.

Shelley Beach fishing company Sensational Charters lodged a high court interdict to prevent Aqua Planet Dive Shop owner Trevor Krull from distributing allegedly defamatory pamphlets.

These call on the public to disrupt Sensational Charters telephone and e-mail, describing their fishing operation as "senseless slaughter".

In his affidavit, Krull said he and other divers had noticed a decline in shark numbers. This was made worse, he said, because fishermen regarded them as vermin.

He emphasised he was not against shark fishing, but that they should be released after being caught, rather than providing trophies for "yuppie tourists".

"The diving fraternity's position is that sharks are a significant link in the marine ecosystem and are vital for biodiversity."

Used 'Kinky' as publicity

In her reply, Sensational Charters owner Denise Milton said the fact that other divers had not joined Krull's protest was significant.

She added that, in her experience, shark numbers had increased.

The matter came to a head when Sensational Charters used a photograph of a dead Zambezi shark to publicise their business.

Furious divers claimed that the shark was "Kinky", a female well known to them.

Krull's sentiments were echoed by Sharks Board scientist Geremy Cliff, who said research suggested the Zambezi was a vulnerable species that already had had widespread habitat loss from estuarine degradation.

The Zambezi becomes sexually active after about 20 years and estuaries play a critically important part in their breeding cycle.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife coastal regional conservator Cedric Coetzee said a national shark management plan was being drawn up by the coastal and marine division of the national department of environmental affairs and tourism.

This would become part of the Marine Living Resources Act.

"The court case highlights a need for both sides to use marine resources sustainably, and to talk to each other."

- The Witness