Plett Ocean Smart has launched a dedicated patrol jetski to assist the Plett Shark Spotters. The jetski has been partly sponsored by Offshore Adventures and will be operating under the Ocean Outfitters Marine Conservation Trust.

Plett Yamaha supplied the jetski and performed a full service of the craft and Plett Tractor Services continues to assist with the daily launching and retrieving of the craft. We would also like to recognise the Plett Rage Event owners as they made a generous contribution to the running costs for the holidays.

The jetski is operated ...more

Plettenberg Bay was proud to play host to the national WESSA (Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa) Blue Flag ceremony for 2022/2023 at Lookout Beach on Thursday 3 November 2022.

Plett was selected as the official venue for the ceremony which recognises international Blue Flag status beaches, sustainable boating tourism operators and marinas throughout South Africa, and are thrilled to be awarded Blue Flag status for six beaches and two boats - a total of eight Blue Flag awards.

Plett Tourism CEO, Patty Butterworth, “We are very honoured and privileged, with efforts made by the Bitou Municipality, to have won the ...more

Plett Shark Spotters is looking to employ 12 shark spotters to trial our safety programme at five Plettenberg Bay beaches over the coming summer season.

12 VACANCIES
FIXED TERM CONTRACTS
17 November 2022 – 31 April 2023
Closing date: Wednesday 16 November at 10am

Duties:

• Continuous visual surveillance from elevated vantage points
• Communication of shark and other marine life sightings to Lifesavers
• Data collection
• Adherence to all standard operating procedures and safety protocols
• Public communication and education
• Safeguard and maintenance of personal equipment

Requirements:

• Over 18 years old
• ...more

Congratulations to Bitou Municipality for Plett's recognition of six international Blue Flag beaches for the 2022/2023 season at a national WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) ceremony held in Plettenberg Bay today.

Additional congratulations to Offshore Adventures for recognition of two International Blue Flag Boats - the only Blue Flag Boats in South Africa!

Our Blue Flag Boats are Robberg Express & Oceanic Express, and our beaches are Robberg 5, Lookout, Keurboomstrand, The Dunes, Singing Kettle & Nature's Valley!

Congratulations to all the municipalities whose beaches received Blue Flag status ...more

The Bitou Municipality and the Plett Shark Action Group (PSAG) are pleased to announce they have formally invited Shark Spotters, the Cape Town based shark safety programme, to join them in Plettenberg Bay to develop effective strategies to reduce shark-human interactions in the area.

Following the increase in shark activity in the area and two fatal shark incidents earlier this year, the municipality and the PSAG have been proactive in investigating solutions to mitigate shark-human conflict in Plettenberg Bay.

To date new Plett Ocean Smart signage has been ...more

Plett Shark Action Group (PSAG) - The Plett Ocean Smart Campaign will be launched with new signage at key beach locations along the Plett coastline, training of shark watchers and the release of literature to the public by the end of October.

The PSAG met earlier this week on 12 October to discuss matters pertaining to the campaign and established short-term, mid-term and long-term goals and objectives for the programme.

Confirmed short-term goals include 1) new Plett Ocean Smart signage to be ...more

Plett Shark Action Group (PSAG) - An aerial survey was undertaken of the Plettenberg Bay coastline starting from the Robberg peninsula to the area of Grootbank past Keurboomstrand this morning with representatives from Bitou Environmental Management and Plett Great White Shark Research.

The team conducted the survey on an EC120 helicopter, a generous opportunity granted with Garden Route local Duran de Villiers. An incredibly healthy ecosystem was noted along the coastline, an abundance of species was clearly visible, including a variety of large and small fish, different types of rays, dolphin, and several species of ...more

Ocean activities are a large part of Plettenberg Bay life for its residents and visitors.

On 4 May 2022, the Bitou Municipality received a request for permission to trial a Sharksafe Barrier in Plettenberg Bay. This is a magnetic barrier that will not entangle sea life nor boat motors. Support for this was required from the Bitou Municipality in order to obtain the necessary research permits from DFFE (Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment). Thereafter funding of approximately R30 million needs to be privately raised for the research. The approval for this testing was granted at a council meeting on 31 May 2022.

After the shark attack fatality on 28 ...more

Bitou Municipality has re-opened the beaches in Plett following the fatal shark attack on Sunday, however extreme caution is urged when indulging in all ocean activities.

Beaches are currently manned by lifeguards on Central Beach, Lookout Beach, Robberg 1 and Robberg 5 daily from 08h00 to 17h00.

In an emergency, call NSRI on 082 990 5975.

The Bitou Municipality and key stakeholders in Plettenberg Bay, including Plett Tourism, NSRI Plett, the Institute of Great White Research and conservation specialists focused on ocean activities and ocean research, have been in conversations since May 2022 to put together a formalised Plett Shark Action Plan.

In addition to the 12 shark bite kits sponsored by NSRI that are already strategically placed along the main beaches in Plett, the group are also engaged on several WhatsApp platforms that keep stakeholders informed of shark activity in the area.

Stage 1: ‘Shark Smart’ signage, collateral ...more

The NSRI and the Bitou Municipality are appealing to the public to be cautious along the Plettenberg Bay and Southern Cape coastline. Beaches have been closed in Plettenberg Bay by Bitou Municipalty.

This sadly follows a fatal shark incident at Central Beach on Sunday morning.

NSRI Plettenberg Bay and the police services were activated at 07h53 following reports of a shark incident at Central Beach. The sea rescue craft Eric Stratford was launched. On arrival on the scene, the body of a believed to be 39-year-old female from Cape Town was recovered from the water and brought to the beach.

Police have taken the body into their care together with government health, forensic ...more

With the recent tragic fatal shark incident and the general increase in shark activity in our local waters, and considering the beaches have been reopened for swimming, please take note of potential shark alerts/warnings via the Plett Beach Watch Facebook page.