SOUTH AFRICA - NSRI WARN OF INCREASED SHARK ACTIVITY ALONG SOUTH AFRICA SHORELINE

NSRI are urging public caution along the coastline, particularly along the Southern Cape coastline (The Garden Route), between Natures Valley and Mossel Bay and in particular around the Plettenberg Bay in shore area due to a high number of white shark sightings.

The increase in shark inshore presence at this time of the year is part of the normal aggregation of these animals.

Sharks are aggregating in this area at this time, as they have done in previous years, to take advantage of naturally occurring prey like seals and fish close in shore.

In particular a large amount of shark sightings have been recorded close in shore along the Plettenberg Bay coastline.

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, looking down on the shore line, noticed 3 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.

NSRI are well prepared to deal with any incidents and Plettenberg Bay NSRI now carry emergency medical shark kits on all rescue boats and on the NSRI rescue vehicle and NSRI Plettenberg Bay medics are carrying these emergency medical shark kits in their private vehicles in an effort to ensure the quickest response to any incident.

For safety the public are advised to:

Do not swim, surf or surf-ski when birds, dolphins or seals are feeding nearby
Do not swim, surf or surf-ski 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
Picture attached of a White Shark close in-shore at Plettenberg Bay (photo taken during April).

In a Sea Rescue Emergency call 112 or alternatively for sea rescue emergencies in Plettenberg Bay call the NSRI Plettenberg Bay emergency number 0829905975.

VIA - nsri.org.za