Beware of sharks in Wilderness
WHILE the coastline closer to Cape Town has seen little shark activity over the festive season, beachgoers in Wilderness have been warned of a suspected increase in sharks in the water.
This, after a humpback whale washed up ashore late on Friday on Wilderness Beach.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon said: “Bathers and beach users are requested to be cautious along the Wilderness coastline due to suspected increased inshore shark activity, after a humpback whale washed ashore on Wilderness Beach.”
Lambinon said the incident was responded to by the NSRI and other agencies, including, George municipal lifeguards and George Fire and Rescue Services.
The George Municipality said they would be euthanising the whale before removing the carcass, adding that once the euthanisation had taken place, the beach would be closed from Wilderness all the way to Leentjiesklip Beach.
Yesterday, they announced that Leentjiesklip Beach was closed following a shark sighting, and authorities said they would remain on high alert.
Lifeguards would be advising when it was safe to reopen the beach.
Shark Spotters chief executive Sarah Waries said they had been active on eight beaches, mainly along the False Bay coastline, and said they had had a fairly quiet season.
“We had some sightings on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, but it has been quiet. The sharks were spotted at Fish Hoek and Muizenberg Beach.”
She said beachgoers and bathers should look out for the Shark Spotter flags and follow the signage, particularly over the festive season when beaches are busier.
“This is the time of the year where we tend to see more shark activity closer to the beaches. We have a research programme that is investigating the reason for fewer sightings. There are a number of factors that can contribute to it, but we are researching it to get a better understanding.”