The Sharks Board, KZN, is set to haul out nets and replace them with drumlines at certain beaches along the coast. The aim is to minimize and reduce the reckless and senseless risk posed to our oceans marine life. In this light, they’re effectively looking out for the ‘friendlier’ species such as dolphins and turtles, limiting the amount of bycatch or perhaps this is all in an effort to cut costs?
Last year we explored ‘both sides of the shark net’ regarding some unsettling statistics made available on the Sharks Board website, neatly unpacked by John McCarthy. Perhaps the latest shift in shark risk management comes as a result of the backlash they received from the community in response to Johns open letter.
The change is set to come into effect this Friday, March 1st. Drumlines will replace nets at all beaches between Westbrook on the north coast and Umgababa on the south.
“The nets have been very effective in reducing the risk of shark attacks but there is an environmental cost. Not only do the nets catch potentially dangerous sharks, but they also catch certain shark species that pose no threat to bathers, as well as various species of dolphin, whale, ray, turtle and occasionally, large bony fish,” said Greg Thompson, Sharks Board’s head of operations.
Welcome KZN to the toe curling reality of surfing along the rest of the RSA coastline. It is a pity as it was always a bit more comfortable having a shark net between you and the wild blue yonder when up the coast!
Drum lines with baited hooks to kill sharks in order to protect surfers and swimmers are like killing lions so you can go walk in the Kruger… stupid ignorant idiots
The most ridiculous comment comparing shark meshing / baited hooks to killing lions in the Kruger….wake up domkopf, the humans have already killed the lions which is why there is the Kruger….. faaaak!
Any surfers happy with the fact that the drum lines are close inshore with a large chunk of bait right next to where they surf? FYI Aussie “smart” drumlines first Capture was a ray. Simple fact is that since whaling stopped so pretty much did the odds of a shark attack but KZNSB can’t let that inconvenient truth out as it will kill the cash cow that is the public fear driven by KZNSB’s BS about the nets being needed.
Ummm Dries, humans did kill Lions, Leopard and every other dangerous creature so that we could freely walk the plains of Africa.
Sure we kept some alive in small fenced off parks as a reminder what Africa looked like pre human era.
Not debating it’s right or wrong just pointing out that we good at killing animals where convenient- land or sea.
PS- make sure you don’t kill the next black mamba you find in your garden- it was there before you.
Most sharks are apparently caught in the nets while going out to sea. So while you were swimming / surfing they were in the water with you, not biting you!
Well that is inherently how they are designed to work, they are staggered _—_ as such and also don’t go to the ocean floor.
The shark then feels entrapped and heads back out to see, in theory with the possibility of getting snagged in the net
Frank , I have to say I agree with Dries. Yes , our forefathers did some incredulous things , but fortunately there are still some carnivores left to save . Indiscriminately killing sharks is not the answer. We don’t leave loaded trap guns set up in our gardens in case someone walks in and might possibly murder us ? And that is in OUR gardens not theirs …
I have huge respect for the Sharks Board, they not only protect bathers and surfers they are also charged with protecting shark and other marine life. They have years of research and are recognized world wide as leaders in shark reserarch and ocean research, I am sure these highly qualified and well educated scientists and biologists are not out there trying to devise ways of killing sharks, quite the opposite. Maybe educate yourselves, take a trip to sharks board and learn just how much these dedicated people know and what they have to consider.
Everyone for gets the ocean belongs to all marine animals. As we as humans must understand this is the ocean we must respect it.The shark’s was there millions years before man .So most cases of shark attacks occur in mornings before sunrise or late afternoons as sunsets. They hunting small pray during those times. Best thing is go do yourself a big favour and go do some research on the sharks or go to sharks boards and learn more about these marine animals and species before you cast your vote about things.
I think we need live bait on the hooks.
Plenty criminals around.
Save the taxpayers money,just hook them up and use utube live.
Getting rid of shark nets, drum lines would put people out of jobs !!!! now that would pose a problem for a whole chain of people!
South Africa being South Africa that would not work, marine life is not in their sights very sad to say. If only someone would come up with a new safe successful idea to replace the killing field nets !
My feeling is; if you choose to go into the big pond that’s your choice – live with the consequences – take all nets and drum lines down.