Increase in shark spotting in West Cape
2011-01-06 00:03
Cape Town - The City of Cape Town on Wednesday cautioned beach users of increased white shark activity in the False Bay area.
"Shark spotters have today (Wednesday) recorded five sightings in total at Muizenberg, St James and Fish Hoek," said spokesperson for the department of sport, recreation and amenities, Sakhile Tsotsobe.
"Law enforcement also reported a sighting at Macassar Beach (and) Long Beach in Simonstown."
Tsotsobe appealed to beach users to take note of the shark spotters signs and the shark sirens.
"Since the school holidays at the beginning of December, shark spotters have recorded 24 shark sightings at Muizenberg, Clovelly, Fish Hoek, St James and Noordhoek."
"This brings the total number of shark sightings to 857 since the Shark Spotters Programme started in 2004," said Tsotsobe.
He said shark sightings had also been reported at Clifton, Llandudno, Cape Point, Simonstown and the area between Strandfontein and Macassar.
The increase in shark activity is related to an abundance of prey, he said.
"The increase in shark activity can be associated with a growth in biological activity often identified by schools of fish, the presence of marine mammals and high marine bird activity."
Beach users are reminded that there are no shark spotting services at Simonstown beaches or beaches along the north shore of False Bay between Sunrise Beach and Gordon's Bay.
Shark Spotting services are available at Muizenberg, St James-Kalk Bay, Clovelly, Fish Hoek, Glencairn and Noordhoek until April.
- SAPA
