The Shark Spotting Programme aims to reduce the interaction of recreational water users and sharks. Cape Town has, over the last few years, experienced an increase in the number of White Sharks occurring in the in-shore zone. Although no scientific data exists to support this or indicate otherwise, anecdotal evidence from water users suggests that in-shore occurrence has increased.

In response to these events and the increased fear by water users, particularly in False Bay, two community driven programmes were started out of a need to improve the safety of recreational water users.

The success of the community programmes has resulted in funding being provided by the City of Cape Town’s Environmental Resource Management Department (R750 000 over the past 2 years) and WWF and the formalisation of shark spotting as an effective safety project. The shark spotting programme is now a non profit organisation (NPO) largely funded by the City of Cape Town, WWF through the Table Mountain Fund, and small donations from private companies. The NPO is managed by a committee that represents a range of organisations.

Not only does shark spotting provide increased safety at the two beaches but also has multiple benefits of creating employment for disadvantaged groups, environmental education and awareness of the public, collection of data for research, and capacity and skills development of the shark spotters.

The City of Cape Town’s Environmental Management Department became involved in the spotting programmes, collecting and collating data recorded by the spotters and assisting with the development of safety protocols. In November 2005 the City provided R400 000 to the two existing programmes and to expand the programme to other beaches. During the holidays in January 2006 lifeguards from Monwabisi, Mnandi, Blue Waters, Strandfontein and Sunrise beaches performed the additional function of shark spotters.

At the same time two non-governmental organisations became involved in the programme. AfriOceans Conservation Alliance provided shark warning and information sign boards for Cape Town’s beaches; and WWF through the Table Mountain Fund, provided funding to employ a full time Shark Spotting Programme Co-ordinator.

The Shark Spotting Programme works closely with the NSRI and SA Lifesaving and over the season distributed 30 shark attack kits to Cape Town beaches, trained over 70 City officials in emergency first aid and provided regular reports on shark presence to a range of organisations.

The following fact sheets on the White Shark are available for download:

 Fact Sheet 1 – White Shark facts [PDF 34 KB]
 Fact Sheet 2 - Mitigation measures to reduce the risk of shark encounters [PDF 39 KB]
 Fact Sheet 3 - Shark-based tourism and encounters [PDF 37 KB]
 Fact Sheet 4 – Tips on shark safety [PDF 45 KB]

For further information, visit the Shark Spotters website at www.sharkspotters.org.za, or contact:

Sarah Titley (Project Manager: Shark Spotters)
Tel: +27 (0)21 783 3433
Cell: +27 (0)76 859 3633
E-mail: sharkspotters@gmail.com

Alison Kock (Research Director: Shark Spotters)
Cell: +27 (0)72 661 9516
E-mail: alison@saveourseas.com

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