Municipality to act after shark incident

THE Kouga Municipality is considering implementing regular shark spotters around Jeffrey’s Bay and even the use of drones.

This comes after Australian surfer Mick Fanning was attacked by what World Surfing League organisers said were two sharks, during one of South Africa’s most prestigious surfing events in Jeffreys Bay on Sunday.

Fanning was left kicking and screaming during the final of WSL’s J-Bay Open when a shark surfaced next to him, knocking the 34-year-old Australian off his board. Miraculously he emerged from the water unharmed.

Municipality spokeswoman, Laura-Leigh Randall said no permanent shark spotters were placed at Jeffrey’s Bay.

“There are no elevated spots like in Cape Town. But we are looking at bringing this kind of thing in. We are possibly looking at the use of drones,” she said yesterday.

Regional WSL spokesman Paul Botha said organisers were aware of two shark attacks in the surrounding areas along the Southern Cape coast at the end of last month.

Dylan Reddering, 23, was attacked by a shark while surfing in Plettenberg Bay and suffered lacerations and bite marks to his ribs, buttocks and right leg.

Caleb Swanepoel, 19, was out boogie-boarding at Buffels Bay near Knysna when a shark attacked him. Swanepoel lost his right leg and had bite marks on his left leg.

Botha said a six-metre inflatable boat, and two jet ski's were at all times near contestants who participated in the WSL surfing contest over the weekend. “In ten to 12 seconds the boat got to him (Fanning). They immediately did a circle around the area. We didn’t expect there to be any sharks,” he said.

Botha added that additional safety precautions could only be considered once organisers got together and reviewed the incident and subsequent rescue reactions.

Michael Spooner, of Marine Scene, the contracted safety service for the event, said their patrol boats had not picked up any shark activity before the incident.

“We were keeping a vigilant look out, but there are never any guarantees. Some (sharks) swim deeper where they can’t be seen,” he said.

Spooner said that as the rescue craft neared Fanning, the safety team was relieved to see him making his way to them, using both arms and legs.

“He was full of adrenalin, but handled the situation perfectly. Fortunately there was no secondary approach from the shark.