Authorities have cautioned the public of possible increased shark activity between Plettenberg Bay and Mossel Bay as plans get underway to dispose of the carcass of a juvenile Humpback whale that beached in the Sedgefield area
The NSRI said that local authorities joined the call for the public to be cautious in the area along that stretch of the Southern Cape coastline.
NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said that they received word of the whale beaching between the Swartvlei River Mouth and Sedgefield Beach on Friday.
“The NSRI Montagu Property Quad Bike with NSRI rescue swimmers was dispatched and SA National Park (SANParks) rangers, Cape Nature members, and Marine Authorities were alerted and officials attended the scene,” he said.
“It was hoped that the Spring high tide would offer relief and although it appeared at Spring high tide that the whale would use the Spring high tide to return to sea sadly the whale beached and died,” Lambinon said.
Marine authorities have taken samples and the whale carcass will be disposed of in an operation by Municipal Authorities and SANParks.
Lambinon said lifeguards on-duty during the vacation period at Sedgefield's Swartvlei Beach and at Myoli Beach have also been alerted to the possible increased shark activity expected in the area and to caution bathers accordingly.
