Shark spotters set for go-ahead
PLETTENBERG BAY - An agreement for the continuation of the Plett Shark Spotters organisation is expected soon following the acceptance of a report by Bitou Municipal Manager Mbulelo Memani to the mayoral committee (mayco).
Memani has recommended that Bitou Council enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Plett Shark Spotters, similar to the one Shark Spotters entered into with the City of Cape Town. Bitou Municipality will contribute R800 000 towards the employment costs of the 15 Plett Shark Spotters annually for the next three years. Plett Shark Spotters was established through a partnership with Bitou Municipality, Plett Shark Action Group (PSAG) and the Cape Town Shark Spotters in November 2022 after two fatal shark attacks in Plett within three months, between June and September.
A report to the mayco said the programme for recording great white shark sightings has been successfully implemented and has been well integrated into existing beach safety programmes, working with Bitou municipal beach control, Lifesavers and the NSRI.
Memani will be delegated to conclude a memorandum of agreement with the Plett Shark Spotters. The proposal is still to be tabled at a full council meeting, expected soon.
The report to the mayco said the Plett Shark Spotters, as a registered nonprofit organisation and public benefit organisation, will be responsible for raising the remainder of the funds required for scientific and research inputs, as well as education and awareness initiatives. Fifteen work opportunities have been created in Bitou, consisting of one local operations manager and 14 spotters from New Horizons, Kwanokuthula, Pine Trees and Qolweni.
The total expenses of the Plett Shark Spotters programme for the period November 2022 to August 2023 (including start-up costs) was R1 511 158,50. To date, the programme has been mainly funded by public donations, corporate sponsorship and advancing of funds from the Cape Town Shark Spotters programme. Plett Shark Spotters has also received assistance from the Bitou Grant-inAid programme amounting to R176 785.
To be able to provide a financial buffer for the sustainability of the programme, it is proposed that Council contribute to the continued employment costs of the shark spotters. The proposed funds as specified in the signed MOA would be allocated by using Section 67 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (Act No. 56 of 2003), which regulates funds transferred to organisations and bodies outside of government. The agreed amount would be transferred to the Bitou municipal Grant-in-Aid fund before being paid to the organisation.
Bitou Municipality will contribute R800 000 towards the employment costs of the 15 Plett Shark Spotters annually for the next three years.