Swim to island causes frenzy
Outrage, alarm and intense curiosity erupted when it emerged on social media on 8 December that a man had swum through shark infested water to Seal Island, off Mossel Bay.
This area is where great white sharks feed on the seals which breed on the island.
Aerial photographs of the sea around the island reveal large dark patches: these are the colossal sharks in the bay.
There were many questions on people's lips. Was the swimmer a foreigner? Had he been irresponsible or simply ignorant? Was he acting out a dare? Was it a suicide bid?
Fanie Nel of Cape Town had just swim around the island on 9 November and was on the side of it near the large white tanks in Voorbaai, when he was picked up by a boat, First Strike, belonging to White Shark Africa, whose skipper insisted he got out of
the water.
Shark cage excursions
White Shark Africa runs shark cage excursions in the bay. They throw mashed pilchards in the water to attract the sharks and then let down a cage with people in it so they can see the sharks up close. Richard Theron, who was crewing on First Strike on the day, this week told the Mossel Bay Advertiser that a client on the boat was the first to see Nel in the water.
Theron said that when they plucked Nel from the sea, they asked if he wanted to go down in the cage and see the sharks he had been swimming among.
"But he said 'no', he's got a meeting!" Theron exclaimed, his eyes wide.
Directors' meeting
Nel is one of the directors of a firm of financial advisers, based in Cape Town and was in Mossel Bay for a quarterly directors' get-together.
He told the Mossel Bay Advertiser this week that with the knowledge he had now, about the sharks, he would never attempt the swim again.
Theron said: "He said someone had told him there were sharks, but the last encounter had been 15 years ago, which is true."
There has been much speculation as to why there are not more encounters, considering there are a large number of great whites in the bay and the main reason offered is that they are well fed and not hungry because of all the seals.
Super-fit Nel said he usually ran or cycled for exercise. He was not a regular open water swimmer. He competed in marathons and biathlons mainly. He is taking part in the 2019 ATU Duathlon African Championships in Cape Town and the Iron Man in Durban next year.
"He told us he had done open water swims in Cape Town, but not in shark feeding areas," Theron said. "It's important for locals to be aware of the sharks in the bay and advise visitors not to swim out to sea."
Expert advice
Nel said: "I think it's important to get expert advice before you attempt something. For instance, many people will say you shouldn't go spear fishing in certain areas. You will be eaten. Don't go by hearsay, ask someone who really knows. That is what I say. I got an email from someone who advised me to contact marine biologist Enrico Gennari about where to swim in the Mossel Bay area. I will ask him."
When contacted for comment for this article, Gennari, who is the director of the firm, Oceans Research, had a firm, but measured tone: "Swimming around the island would be risky and irresponsible. You're not just putting your life at risk, but if there is an unpleasant encounter you would hamper the conservation of sharks.
"There is resistance to conserving sharks although shark bites are infrequent. You could damage the tourism of the area at the same time. To me personally, it is like walking in front of a lion and then blaming the lion for eating you. Yes, the lion's stomach is full but it might go for you."
Some good has come of Nel's swim. Mossel Bay "ocean boy" Johan Swanepoel, who posts his numerous marine photographs and videos on his facebook page, swimmingsharkville, and attracts thousands of views, is now organising an open water swim from the Point to Dias to raise awareness of marine safety issues.
My dream
"Fanie [Nel] is keen to join the swim. I'm planning it for February. We will have all the safety measures in place: a boat with us and I want to get all the relevant organisations involved, such as the NSRI. We will swim close to the shore. It has been my dream for three years to organise this."
Swanepoel noted in a post on swimmingsharkville on 8 December: "Fanie wanted to do a 1km offshore swim after cycling on 9 November, as part of his training. The ocean was just too attractive - and I know the feeling - so he decided to turn towards the island.
"He got stung by a jellyfish but shook it off. He saw lots of fish species.
"Around the island the boat of White Shark Africa arrived and the crew was stunned at what they saw. Fanie did not want to get into the boat at first; he was enjoying his swim, but eventually got in and was dropped off near the beach."
Nel confirmed he was keen to do the open water swim off Mossel Bay.
NSRI Mossel Bay station commander André Fraser said: "We are prohibited from entering into an agreement with parties regarding events organised. We only react to a call if someone is in need of help.
"We can be on the water for the event, but we will not be held responsible if something goes wrong."