SHARK WATCH

Just three months before Kimon was attacked, Johannesburg stockbroker Bruce Wolov (63) was killed by a shark when swimming in deep water off Plettenberg Bay.

In April, a great white was spotted in the Keurbooms River mouth near Plett and the NSRI has posted several warnings on its Facebook page about sharks along this stretch of coastline.

With the holiday season approaching, Bitou municipality has received permission for more lifeguards and approved plans for research into shark nets at Plett’s Central Beach.

The town’s Shark Action Group plans to install cameras and employ staff to monitor the sea for shark activity. There are also plans to install shark spotters at places such as the Beacon Island hotel roof.

Professor Justin O’Riain, director of the University of Cape Town’s Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, says shark attacks are extremely rare.

“Spear fishers and surfers are more likely to be attacked than swimmers,” he says.