Bitou Municipality, Plett Shark Action Group and Shark Spotters partner to improve shark safety in Plettenberg Bay
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 designed and erected at 7 swimming beaches and a permanent camera is being installed at a designated area to connect to a central monitoring system.
Shark Spotters have considerable experience in reducing the risk of shark incidents and the PSAG look forward to working together with them to implement effective and appropriate shark safety measures within the Bitou municipal area.
A team from Shark Spotters has arrived in Plettenberg Bay this week to investigate the possibility of implementing shark spotters and an eco-friendly shark exclusion barrier (similar to that deployed in Fish Hoek, Cape Town) at select beaches. Shark mitigation is very site specific and as such, each beach requires detailed analysis and assessment to see what, if any, solutions would be possible suitable there.
Short-term strategies will be developed during the course of this week to improve bather safety over the coming summer season. Anyone wishing to donate to this initiative to make our beaches and waters safer can do so by mailing their contact information and correspondence to PSAG on email address plettoceansmart@gmail.com or info@sharkspotters.org.za. There are several projects identified that require funding; this includes Plett Shark Spotters, camera maintenance and other Plett Ocean Smart objectives.
Shark Safety Tips:
- The public are requested to adhere to the instructions from the Bitou Lifeguards, the Plett NSRI and Bitou Beach Control officials at all times, and to only swim in designated areas while lifeguards are on duty.
- Swim where lifeguards are on duty.
- Swim, surf or kayak in groups.
- Do not swim at dusk, dawn or at night.
- Stay in shallow water (waist-deep).
*Conservation and preservation of our greatest assets; the ocean, waterways, forests, landmarks and wildlife in Plettenberg Bay, makes an ecologically and economically significant contribution to the town. Sharks, whales, dolphin and other marine life visit throughout the year – more often during the winter months between May and October. We encourage our residents and visitors to be aware of ocean safety at all times and be respectful of our safety tools and respective to the wildlife that also visit our shores.
