The National Sea Rescue Institute has urged caution, particularly between Nature's Valley and Mossel Bay, and especially around the Plettenberg Bay area, due to a high number of white shark sightings.
The NSRI says in a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, that the increase in the sharks' presence at this time of the year is part of the normal aggregation of these animals. The take advantage of naturally occurring prey, like seals and fish close to the shore.
A spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said there had been a large number of shark sightings close to the shore along the coast in the vicinity of Plettenberg Bay.
"Most of these shark sightings are in the vicinity of Robberg and this natural phenomenon with the high number of sightings reported daily offers a rare opportunity for sightseers to view shark activity close in shore.
"On Wednesday, 25th May, hikers along an elevated stretch of a hiking trail above Wreck Beach, Robberg Nature Reserve, noticed three surfers being harassed by a shark. The surfers managed to reach the beach without incident, but this has again highlighted the necessity to urge public caution along this stretch of coastline," Lambinon said.
He said the NSRI were well prepared to deal with any incidents and Plettenberg Bay NSRI crew members carried emergency medical shark kits on all rescue boats and on the NSRI rescue vehicles. NSRI Plettenberg Bay medics were also carrying these emergency medical shark kits in their private vehicles, in an effort to ensure the quickest response to any incident.
The NSRI advice to the public:
Do not swim, surf or surf-ski when birds, dolphins or seals are feeding nearby, or where fishing or spear fishing is taking place
Do not swim in deep water beyond the breakers
Do not swim if you are bleeding
Do not swim near river mouths
Do not swim, surf or surf-ski at night
Do not swim, surf or surf-ski if there has been a whale stranding nearby
Obey beach officials and lifeguards if told to leave the water
If a shark has recently been sighted in an area, consider using another beach for the day
First-time visitors to beach areas should ask the local law enforcement official, lifeguards or locals about the area
For those people kayaking or surf-skiing far out to the sea: please consider paddling in groups and staying close together (in a diamond formation)
Consider using a personal shark shield when you go surfing or kayaking
Pay attention to any shark signage on beaches
Do not swim, surf or surfski alone
The picture is of a White Shark close in-shore at Plettenberg Bay (photo taken during April).
