Fish Hoek shark exclusion net
In 2012, as part of the Shark Spotters Programme, Shark Spotters and the City of Cape Town began a project to install a new design of environmentally responsible shark exclusion net at Fish Hoek beach.
About
The shark exclusion net forms a barrier from the sea surface to the sea floor that completely encloses an area and prevents sharks and other marine animals entering the exclusion zone. Due to the success of the trial that took place in 2013 and 2014, the net has now become a permanent safety feature on Fish Hoek Beach.
Top tip
Find out more about our sharks and how we can work together to be safer and more aware in our seas by visiting Focus on sharks.
The exclusion net not only provides a safer swimming area; it creates opportunities for work and skills development through the appointment of local communities that assist in both installing and maintaining the net. The net is designed to have a minimal impact on the environment, and is set up and removed daily to reduce damage to marine life and the net itself. To learn more about how the net works, please visit the Shark Spotters website.
The exclusion net is only deployed during the spring/summer season. See our table below:
| October | School holidays and weekends |
| November to March | The net will operate on a daily basis, depending on the weather. Weekends, public holidays and school holidays will be prioritised. |
| April | School holidays, public holidays and weekends |
On days that the exclusion net is deployed, the operating hours are 09:00 – 17:00. The Shark Spotters will keep beach users informed as to whether the net is deployed via Twitter and Facebook.
Contact us
Please contact us if you have any questions about the Fish Hoek exclusion net.
Sarah Waries, Project Manager: Shark Spotters Programme, Environmental Management Department
Telephone:
078 174 4244
Fax:
086 508 6258
Email:
info@sharkspotters.org.za
Jacques Du Toit Head: Coastal and Marine Conservation
Telephone:
0214872832
Email:
jacques.dutoit@capetown.gov.za
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