It was long overdue . . .
From the beginning of June white sharks seem to return to South Africa’s shores. “I am beyond excited,” Kim Sharklady Maclean declared, “the great whites are here, how beautiful is this?”
Enthusiastically sharing the news with Hermanus Times to share this great news. “On 17 June we saw three great whites females (sizes 1,8m-2m) and a 3 m. It was awesome,” Maclean said.
Dr Sara Andreotti, a marine biologist and postdoctoral researcher, working towards the development of a global long-term management system, said one years ago you would have seen at least 15 sharks in the Gansbaai and Walker Bay areas daily. Other reports stated as many as 40 white sharks were previously around the Dyer Island.
According to the shark specialists they are worried about the extinction of the great whites along the coastline. “[They] are in trouble, we must do anything to prevent this, for these majestic animals are disappearing off this planet,” a Facebook user said.
But why are the great whites declining in numbers? One of the theories is the appearance of killer whales in Gansbaai.
“These orcas specialises in hunting coastal sharks like white sharks,” a researcher said. “The other is the decline of white shark food. The fishing of small shark species, such as smooth-hound and soupfin sharks are overfished and according to CapeNature these species are critically endangered.”
An Italian shark expert, Alessandro de Maddalene, said in recent decades great whites have become uncommon or rare owing to overfishing of either the sharks or their prey.
The species is now protected in many countries. The risk of seeing the total extinction becomes more real every day.
But aside from this sad news, Facebook users are very excited about the return of the great whites. “It was an incredible experience when I did cage diving in 2008,” said one. “We saw 14 great whites that day.” Other users decried the declining numbers of great whites.
“Support the Gansbaai Shark cage diving and ecotourism operators,” local estate agent and environmentalist Michael Brosman said. “Their activities provide jobs, community upliftment, but most importantly education. The cost is minimal but the experience lasts a lifetime. Much of the revenue is reinvested in research initiatives, vital to maintaining sustainable ocean health. Call them to book your spot.”
.
Kim Sharklady Maclean, White Shark Ventures Kleinbaai & False Bay – Cape Town, Marine Dynamics, White Shark Projects, White Shark Diving Company and Shark and Safari. Find them on Facebook.
