I bought this camera with the hopes of easily capturing the things I see underwater. And I did but I was very disappointed when I found that the camera downstage not focus properly, above water the footage is amazing and the camera is great BUT …..
I looked on the net and found many people with the same problem. Some of them described their solutions, adapting other old housings, flat ports on waterproof bags. Bottom line was I didn’t want to pay dollars and didn’t want to permanently alter the original housing. I made a simple aluminum ring with a tapered edge with 2mm flat glass port that fits tightly over the lens housing and does not damage it. I sealed the adaption to the housing with pestik, but silicon could also be used.

Have a look at what I made and make one your self or you can buy one.

Cheers

Steve

Its all very well getting in the water sharks, but its important to understand what they are and who they are. Here is some information gleaned from the web and scientific papers about our Sevengill Cowsharks as well this family of sharks.

What is a Cowshark?

Cow sharks, or the Hexanchidae, are a family of sharks characterized by extra pairs of gill slits. There are probably only two seven-gilled genera, Heptranchias and Notoryhncus

Cow sharks are considered the most primitive of all the sharks, because their skeletons resemble those of ancient extinct forms, with few modern adaptations. Their excretory and digestive systems are also unspecialised, suggesting that they may resemble those of primitive shark ancestors. Their most distinctive feature, however, is the presence of a sixth and, in two genera, a seventh, gill slit, in addition to the five found in all other sharks.Cow sharks are ovoviviparous, with the mother retaining the egg-cases in her body until they hatch.

There are just four species of cow shark, in three genera

• Genera Heptranchias
  • Sharpnose Sevengill shark Heptranchias perlo
• 
• Genera Hexanchus
  • Bluntnose sixgill shark, Hexanchus griseus
  • 
  • Bigeye sixgill shark, Hexanchus nakamurai
  • 
    
• Genera Notorynchus
  • Broadnose sevengill shark, “Notorynchus cepedianus
  • 

    Jean Tresfon

The Broadnose Sevengill Cowshark, Notorynchus cepedianus

This is the Cowshark we find along our coastline and the specie dived with at Millers point. It is called a number of names Cowshark, Sevengill shark or the full length Broadnose Sevengill cowshark, which has one too many descriptive nouns for my liking. We mostly just refer to them as Cows ! Not a very frightening name to attract shark divers. This shark is the only existing member of the genus Notorynchus, in the family Hexanchidae.

What does it look like?

The Sevengill Cowshark is gray or brownish with spots. It is very common in the kelp forests around the Cape. It is easily distinguished from the other common kelp dwelling species, the spotted gully shark, by its lack of dorsal fin and rounded head.

Steve Benjamin swimming with a Sevengill Cowshark by Jean Tresfon

Sevengill Cowsharks can be found on the continental shelf, often in shallow water. Occuring very close inshore, in bays and estuaries, with larger individuals ranging into deeper waters offshore and deep channels in bays. In tropical to temperate waters; except North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. Southwest Atlantic: southern Brazil to northern Argentina. Southeast Atlantic: Namibia to East London, South Africa. Western Pacific: southern Japan to New Zealand. Eastern Pacific: British Columbia, Canada to Chile. Record from India maybe erroneous.

Distribution map of the Sevengill Cowshark

What do Sevengill Cowsarks eat?

The sevengill shark, Notorynchus cepedianus, is a versatile and common predator that has often been overlooked as an important marine predator capable of feeding on a wide variety of prey species. Stomach content analyses were performed on specimens from California, USA, and southern Africa to investigate whether dietary differences occur in relation to sex and size. Of the 531 specimens examined, 365 (68.7%) contained prey items. The dietary trend with growth and maturity shifted from fish to sharks (chondrichthyans), with marine mammals becoming increasingly important in the larger size classes of N. cepedianus . Small N. cepedianus (<120 cm total length, TL) fed primarily on teleosts, whereas larger sharks primarily consumed chondrichthyans. Marine mammals made up about one-third of the diet of N. cepedianus >220 cm TL, while teleosts declined to 6% and 13% for male and female sharks, respectively. A decrease was observed in the dietary overlap of each successively larger size class. Ontogenetic changes in the diet of N. cepedianus may provide insight into understanding how adults enhance the survivorship of their young, who are often less experienced at foraging for prey and are more vulnerable to predation.

Sevengill Cowshark tooth

When are Sevengill Cowsharks sexually mature ?

Maturation in male sevengills begins at about 140 cm total length (TL). Most males mature at approximately 160 cm TL. Male sevengills have viable sperm throughout the year and seem capable of reproducing year-round. Females have a complex and prolonged maturation period and mature at a size in excess of 218 cm TL.

What are the threats to Sevengill Cowsharks?

In south africa these sharks are caught as part of the demersal shark fishery as well as a species targeted by recreational fishermen. Cowsharks are not protected and anyone can capture and kill a shark as long as its not in a marine reserve. These sharks are sometimes used as bait in the White shark industry.

In South Africa Cowsharks are the apex predator in their habitat, and once the reach maturity only a great white shark or Ocra would prey on them. The following is an abstract details such an attatck by Orca’s in Argintina.

On 21 December 1998, four killer whales (an adult male, two females or immature males, and one juvenile) attacked a group of sevengill sharks (Notorhynchus cepedianus) off the coast of Caleta Malaspina, Chubut, Argentina. Persecution, catches, and tossing behavior were performed by the two females or immature males in the inlet. Next day, carcasses of several sharks were found on the beach adjacent to the attack area. Seven of them were intact and sized approximately 2.5 m in length. The presence of complete sevengill shark carcasses on the beach suggests that they were attempting to avoid capture by the killer whales by stranding on the beach. Attacks on sevengills by killer whales in Caleta Malaspina are frequent in some years, especially from mid-December to mid-January when the sevengill seems to use the inlet as a nursery ground. The observation of the same male feeding both on pinnipeds in Peninsula Valdes and on sharks in Caleta Malaspina may indicate that at least some groups in the Southwestern Atlantic could regularly feed on both fish and marine mammals. This is the first report of an attack of killer whales on sharks off the coast of Patagonia, and the first report of toss- ing behavior in sharks.

Where  can I dive with these sharks?

The best place to dive with these sharks is in Castle Rock Marine reserve at  Miller’s point, Cape Town. This part of the peninsula coastline is below the Swartkopberge mountains. The small rocky peninsula of Miller’s Point juts out rather abruptly into the bay and provides a sheltered site for the slipway from which most of the boat launches in this area are made. There is sufficient reasonably level ground for extensive parking areas off the main road, including boat trailer parking.

Map to the Cowsharks of Cape peninsular, Cape Town

This area is characterized by granite reefs with sandy patches between them, and almost flat sand bottom further out. Many of the reefs are fairly large areas of massive ridges, gullies and occasional loose boulders on top, and some of these boulders are huge. The cowsharks stick to the kelp channel just 50m from the shore. One can shore dive or boat dive this site (Source)

Jean Tresfon

When can I dive with these sharks ?

There sharks are present year round with the best periods being Spring and Autumn. The best vis is during winter but storms can make conditions undivable for long periods. During summer there are many sharks but the strong trade winds make the visibility quite poor. Due to the relatively protection of the site it is divable most days of the year. We have had great shark dives in vis as low as 2m !

Water temperature during winter is usually between 13°C and 17°C, though it has been known to drop as low as 11°C, so a good suit is also needed here. In summer the temperature may rise above 20°C, but is more likely to be around 17°C to 19°C. (Source)

What should I do while diving with Sevengill Cowsharks ?

Sevengill Cowsharks, although generally docile, are large predatory animals capable of inflicting bodily harm to humans if provoked. Therefore a strict code of conduct must be adhered to when diving with the sharks.

• – No touching.
• – Divers should not interrupt swimming patterns of the sharks
• – Avoid boxing in of a shark,  between two divers, or between a diver and a rocky outcrop.
• – No bait or chum is to be used when diving with the sharks.
• – Buoyancy control – you may get in a shark way or bump into a shark if you cant yet dive correctly.

Jean Tresfon

The Cadiz Freedom Swim is considered to be one of the toughest, most extreme long distance cold water sea swim races in the world – 7.5km across the famous Robben Island channel, known for its bitterly cold water (around 13 degrees) and strong, unpredictable currents.

We launch early on Sunday morning to avoid the chaos at Oceana slipway. I picked up my swimmers, team “2 shrimps and a sea monkey”. We joined the pack of boats floating just offshore of Robben Island. Every type of craft with an engine was waiting in anticipation for the swim to start. Here are some pics form the day…

The swimmers start

The team finished 4th in the relay division with a time of 2:37.27. The fastest time was 1:48 by Tryon Venter.

It was an amazing day and huge respect to all the swimmers that did the swim. It was tough, with quite a few not making it.

For results click here

I chatted to James this afternoon while he lay in hospital after breaking his lower back (L1).

I know that there are many concerned friends so first off he isnt paralyzed but will be in a back brace for at least 2 months.

He said that after hitting the sand bank he knew his back was broken. He let himself be washed ashore where he waited for anyone to walk past and move hit up the beach. Rescuers tried to carry him off the beach and even brought 4×4 vehicles but this proved to bumpy.  He was later airlifted out and taken to hospital.

We are all holding thumbs for a good recovery

James Taylor at Mavericks (www.jamestaylor.com)

I received this email a few weeks ago “Hello!  My name is Myfanwy Rowlands. I’m currently traveling on a diving and marine educational scholarship sponsored by Rolex and the Our World Underwater Society.  I was hoping to see whether my volunteering with your organization would be a possibility?…….” I had heard of the programme and was very happy and honored to be involved. How could I say no?,a chance to show some one around the city and ocean I enjoy so much, maybe she would be able to keep up!

A little history from the Our world – Underwater society scholarship’s website -
Each year the society awards year-long scholarships designed to expose a qualified young person to a wide range of experiences in various marine-related fields. With continued generous funding from the Rolex Corporation, the awards are now known as the Rolex Scholarships.

For 2010, three Rolex scholarships will be offered: one in Australasia, one in North America, and one in Europe. Each Rolex Scholarship provides a hands-on introduction to underwater and other aquatic-related endeavours for a young person considering a career in an underwater-related discipline. One scholar is selected from each of the three regions and each scholar spends approximately one year working side by side with current leaders in underwater fields. Each scholar travels primarily within his or her region, but may have opportunities throughout the underwater world. The range of experiences may include active participation in field studies, underwater research, scientific expeditions, laboratory assignments, equipment testing and design, photographic instruction, and other specialized assignments.

I wanted to give her a chance to see and meet as many people as possible, needless to say she hit the ground running. She arrived from Tasmania after a 23 hour journey only to find herself being taken to Dassen Island, a place she had never heard off and certainly not on the tourist maps. Here is what Von has had to say about some of her experiences with me in Cape Town so far (Source) -

Wow!  First blog update in awhile, sorry — you can blame Steven Benjamin, my awesomely over-achieving local Cape Town host, for that.  We’ve been on a whirlwind tour of Cape Town’s aquatic environments, and I’m going to post about them individually in the next few days!  Steven runs Animal Ocean, an all-inclusive ocean eco-tourism operation that offers personalized outdoor marine and aqua experiences.  Spearfishing, freediving, shark diving, photographic excursions — you name it, if it’s in the ocean in the Cape Town area, Steve’s probably an expert in it.   Let’s just say that today I had a bunch of 1.5m-long cowsharks swimming around my head, and I’m absolutely loving life.

29 Jan 2010

Right!  So I’ve got some backlogs to do, starting with the day I arrived in Cape Town, South Africa.  I was met at the airport by local dive and underwater guru Steven Benjamin, who operates Animal Ocean, which is an all-encompassing marine eco-tourism operation.  We had some breakfast, and then Steve whisked us off to Dassen Island with 25 University of Cape Town’s 2010 Zoology Honours students.  Dassen Island is a special place – it’s managed by the Nature Conservation, South Africa’s government environmental agency.  No one is allowed on the island without a permit, so we were very, very lucky to be able to go.  The island itself is a haven for bird life, including penguins!  The history behind the penguins of Dassen Island is tumultuous; because their eggs were harvested aggressively until the 1960s, their numbers are reduced now to less then 10% of what they were at the turn of the century

Dassen Island research accomadation tucked behind the dunes

Myfanwy Rowlands at Dassen Island

True Dassen Island locals....

Penguin wall

This picture shows the Dassen Island lighthouse and a portion of the penguin wall that was constructed years ago and encircles the entire island.  It was built to keep the penguins from building their nests too far inland and facilitate easier collection of their eggs.  It’s now breached in numerous places and the penguins have no trouble getting to the interior of the island.

1 Feb 2010

Steven Benjamin (my Cape Town guide and owner of Animal Ocean) and I returned from Dassen Island on Sunday, March 31st.  On Monday, Steve took me along on one of his dive charters to Duiker Island, home of a very friendly colony of Cape fur seals.

Cape Fur seal leaps from the water at Houtbay

They were magic to dive with, but seals always make me feel like an absolute robot underwater.  After the dive, Steve took us snorkeling to a little rocky beach just beyond the point of Hout Bay Harbor, because he wanted to show us the site of an abalone poaching operations.  The picture below shows the pile of empty abalone shells we found there.

A pile of poached and scraped abalone shells.

What happens is, abalone divers go outside the harbor in little rubber duck boats, collect the abalone and bring them to this beach, which is hidden from sight and around the point from Haut Bay slipway.  The poachers unload their illegally harvested abalone on the beach, stacked up in piles, before taking their now empty boats back to the slipways of Hout Bay Harbor, which are monitored for illegal abalone fishing.  Then the poachers hike over the point down to the beach, and carry the illegal harvest of abalone meat overland, thereby avoiding getting caught.  It’s quite a racket.

2 Feb 2010

The one day that should of been 6  !!!!

What an amazing day February 2nd was.   I’ll take you through the pictures below and explain the chronology that way. I tagged along with Steve Benjamin (Animal Ocean) on a dive charter to dive with a natural aggregation of seven-gill sharks, or cowsharks (as they’re called in Cape Town) just past Miller’s Point near Simons Town.  It’s an unbelievable spot, as the cowsharks are gathered there in significant numbers and they’re VERY curious… not at all shy of divers.  It was fantastic!  We had at least 7 sharks around us at any one time, and we reckon we saw about 20 total.

Sevengill Cowshark - Image by Sjimon de Waal

After the cowsharks, we stopped at the boat ramp at Millers Point to see the snoek boats coming in.  The picture below is of a man counting the snoeks as he tosses them in a bucky to be carried to market.

A good days catch of snoek

Then we stopped by Muizenburg beach, and were just in time to see the Treknet fishermen bringing in a fresh catch of yellowtail kingfish!  This type of fishing is a bit different from your average industrial trawler or purse-seiner…the whole community gets out on the beach to help pitch the nets.  It was fun to watch.

Trek net fishing on fish hoek beach

We left Muizenburg Beach and drove up Boyes Drive to the overlook of Muizenburg in False Bay.  From there, you can see Seal Island (remember that AWESOME series in Planet Earth that shows great white sharks breaching?  That’s Seal Island), as well as the entire stretch of Muizenberg Beach.  To our unbelievable luck, the Shark Spotter on duty, (her name is Vivian) spotted  a great white just moments after we arrived!

Von and Vivian watch a great white shark swimming in the surf zone

It was unbelievable.   I’ve shown the picture below fully scaled out and then zoomed in to give you an idea of perspective – the shark was about 2.5m-3m long.  The Shark Spotter program is a wonderful alternative to shark nets (which can be found all along the eastern beaches of South Africa, in Durban).  Shark nets “work” because they kill everything in their path, shark and fish and dolphin and seal alike.  The Shark Spotter program works, and eliminates the unnecessary slaughter that shark nets unleash.

And that was (most of) our day!  It was banner.  The days have been packed, and I’m still catching up – more to come.

3 Feb 2010

February 3rd was the day that Steve Benjamin (Animal Ocean) and I went up into the mountains to meet Jeremy Sheldon, Ph.D. student at the University of Cape Town.  Jeremy is doing his Ph.D. thesis on the streams and rivers of the Bain’s Kloof region, in the mountains Northeast of the Cape.  He’s comparing the ecology of streams that have been invaded with trout (100 years ago they were brought over and introduced for game fishing) to that of those streams and rivers where trout haven’t infiltrated.

Jeremy Sheldon happy doing field work

Tierhok Rivier

A gorgeous, gorgeous day of fieldwork in a beautiful place.  I’m now seriously considering studying river otters along with sea otters.

One of the Netherlands most acclaimed award-winning underwater photographers, Peter Voerhoog, traveled to Cape Town with the goal of photographing blue sharks for his latest book “Sharks, close encounters”.

Sharks, close encounters by Peter Verhoog

Here are some of the images he captured while diving with us in the Cape

Dusky Dolphins play in the cool Atlantic waters off Cape Town

Cape fur seals in Houtbay harbor

Steve Benjamin and Sevengill cowshark

Blue sharks investigate Peter off Cape Point

Cape fur seals playing off Duiker Island, Houtbay

Peter in tough conditions in order to get the blue shark images

I am looking forward to this inspiring book and am proud to have played a small part in it

Steve

Media Enquiries:        Gregg Oelofse, Head: Environmental Policy and Strategy             Cell: 083 940 8143

Sakhile Tsotsobe, Coastal Coordinator, Sports and Recreation         Cell: 074 185 0123

Findings from the City’s Review of the Fatal Shark Attack at Fish Hoek

City of Cape Town

Review

Following the tragic fatal shark attack on Mr Lloyd Skinner on Tuesday 12^th January 2010 at Fish Hoek beach, the City of Cape Town undertook an intensive review of the events leading up to and following the attack.

The purpose of the review is threefold:

1)   To ascertain the correct facts so that these may be provided to the media and public so as to end ongoing speculation and incorrect perceptions;

2)   To review the events as they unfolded to assess the effectiveness of the emergency response to this traumatic event; and

3)   To identify any areas or aspects that may reduce the risk of similar events occurring in the future.

In addition it is hoped that by making these facts available to the public, the ongoing speculation in the media, which must be difficult for the victims’ family, will come to an end.

Through a process of eye-witness interviews, collaboration of information from specialists and collation of highly credible information, the following has been concluded:

Mr Lloyd Skinner was attacked by a Great White Shark at 15:31 on Tuesday 12^th January 2010 at Fish Hoek beach.  At the time of the attack Mr Skinner was swimming (and not standing as previously reported) in a direction parallel to the beach.  At the time of the attack there were approximately 12-15 other bathers in the water. Mr Skinner was significantly further out (in deeper water) than the other bathers and was some distance away from the other bathers.  We have been able to ascertain that a large school of fish was in the close vicinity to Mr Skinner and we are of the opinion that this school of fish is an important factor in drawing the shark into the area.

The shark attacked Mr Skinner from the sea-ward side in a very aggressive manner, demonstrating a predatory response. It approached from the deeper water underneath Mr Skinner and was only visible on the surface as it attacked the victim.  This is consistent with natural predatory behaviour of Great White sharks in that they approach the victim without being seen.  Following the initial strike, the shark made a further five to six passes of the area, after which it moved off in the direction of Kalk Bay.

Facts of relevance:

• The victim was swimming at the time of the attack and not standing as had been previously reported.
• The victim was swimming some distance further out than any of the other bathers.
• The victim was some distance from the other 12-15 bathers in the water at the time.
• A large school of fish was in the direct vicinity of the victim (it is likely that the shark was following the school of fish).

On reviewing the Shark Spotting Programme the following was determined:

• Two Shark Spotters were on duty: one at the mountain lookout and a second in the beach hut on Fish Hoek beach
• At the time of the attack, the Shark Spotting supervisor (Mr Monwabisi Sikweyiya) was present in the beach hut completing daily log forms.
• Conditions for shark spotting at the time of the attack were not ideal.  This is confirmed by the high wind speed (69km/h form a SSE direction), resulting in choppy conditions and intermittent cloud cover.  Water colour at the time of the attack was considered fair. At the time of the attack the Shark Spotters Black Flag was being flown indicating to beach users these limitations in spotting ability.
• The Shark Siren as well as the radios were in working order.

In reviewing the Shark Spotting Programme the following must be noted:

• Fish Hoek Bay is a large area and the mountain Shark Spotter is required to survey the entire bay and does not focus only on the Jaggers Walk area.
• It is unreasonable to expect 100% concentration from the spotters at all times.  Shark Spotters are expected to scan the entire bay area repeatedly at regular intervals.

In the review the Shark Spotters acknowledged that they did not see the shark or the initial attack take place.

It is noted that:

• The spotting conditions were not ideal and were limited by significant wind induced chop as well as intermittent cloud cover and the associated shadows cast on the water.
• The shark attack was sudden and explosive. All indications are that the shark emerged from deep water where it was not visible and attacked the victim within seconds once it was on the surface.
• All eye-witness accounts from elevated positions indicate that the shark was not visible prior to the attack.

However, the review notes that the water quality was such that, had the Shark Spotter on duty been looking at the specific area where the attack took place at the moment that the shark surfaced, the shark would not have been visible to the spotter.  However, this review is of the very strong opinion that had the spotter seen the shark prior to the attack, there would not have been any time to warn the bathers before the shark attacked the victim.  The shark emerged from deeper water in a predatory mode and attacked the victim within seconds.  The review is of the firm position that, had the spotter seen the shark, the fatal attack would not have been avoided.

Lack of Shark Siren

The Shark Siren was not sounded during the attack or at anytime thereafter.   During the interview with the Shark Spotters on duty the question was posed as to why the Shark Siren was not sounded.  The response was that once they were aware of the attack, shock and fright set in. By the time they had recovered their composure, no bathers remained in the water, thus they felt that sounding the Shark Siren at that stage would have been of no benefit.  It must be noted that lifesavers on duty effectively cleared the beach of all bathers within a short period of time and without the use of the Shark Siren.  No further risk to any other bathers resulted as a lack of the Shark Siren. However, this review holds the position that the Shark Siren should have been sounded as soon as the Shark Spotters were aware of the attack.  This was a failure in respect to correct and appropriate emergency response. However, it is also acknowledged that none of the Shark Spotters had ever experienced a shark attack before and that shock and fright are reasonable human responses to such a traumatic event.  Further emergency training is required in this regard and real-time practise scenarios should be included in the Shark Spotting Programme.  The spotters must be trained to deal with highly stressful situations and must be trained to respond accordingly.

Emergency Response

The attack took place in a matter of seconds and lasted approximately 3 minutes.  Following the attack, the lifesavers actively cleared the remaining swimmers from the water, contacted the Shark Spotters at the Shark Spotting Hut to ascertain what the situation was and notified the National Search and Rescue Institute (NSRI) and Emergency Services.  The Shark Flag was raised at the lifesaving club. Within 20 minutes Mr Ian Kloppers of the NSRI and EMT Emergency Services were on the beach and took control of all rescue operations.  Two NSRI boats as well as the rubber duck from the lifesaving club were launched to search for the victim while a helicopter arrived on scene to conduct an aerial search.  The search for the victim continued until 7pm at which point it was terminated due to poor conditions. The search provided no recovery of the victim or any sightings of the shark.

Officials from the City, NSRI, Western Province  Lifesaving, Shark Spotters and Save Our Seas Shark Centre all convened at the site within 30 minutes of the attack and worked in a co-ordinated fashion to collect eyewitness statements, gather all relevant information and disseminate accurate information to the public and media.

Shark Information

Shark sightings recorded by the Shark Spotters over the last five years are included below for further information.  In addition it must be noted that shark warning media alerts were issued by the City of Cape Town and the NSRI throughout the summer. More specifically, warnings about a spike in the number of white shark sightings in the inshore area of False Bay were provided through the NSRI on Sunday the 10^th January and via the City’s Festive Season Alerts on the morning of Tuesday the 12^th January. These warnings explicitly indicated to the public that there was a high incidence of white shark sightings in the inshore area and that beach users should be particularly vigilant and cautious.

Permanent shark signs are present at Fish Hoek beach, including:

a)   An indication of the natural presence of these predators in the waters of Cape Town;

b)   The Shark Spotting Flag and Warning System.

Review Findings

Based on this review the following conclusions are drawn:

Shark Spotters were on duty, the black flag was being flown indicating poor spotting conditions, the lifesaving club was on duty, and warnings of increased presence of white sharks had been provided on Sunday 10^th January as well as on the morning of Tuesday 12^th January. The victim was swimming relatively far out and well away from the other bathers in the proximity of a large school of fish.

It is the position of this review that, within reasonable means, the fatal and tragic shark attack could not have been avoided.

Recommendations

• The Shark Spotting Programme remains an effective early warning system for the presence of Great White sharks at recreational beaches.  The Shark Spotting Programme has, from the outset, never been considered a 100% effective safety strategy and acknowledges in the “Finding a Balance Report” of 2006 that limitations to the effectiveness include human error, visibility challenges and external conditions (wind, cloud, chop).  Since its inception, Shark Spotters have recorded over 570 shark sightings and effectively cleared the beach, reducing the risk of shark attacks at beaches where they are operational. The Shark Spotting Programme must continue to be supported.
• The City should increase the size and visibility of shark information signage along its coastline.
• The City should consider mobile/temporary signage that could be erected on the beach and complement media alerts during times of high Great White shark presence.
• The Shark Siren must be able to be sounded from the Lifesavers’ Tower.  This must be rectified immediately.
• The Shark Spotting Programme should invest further in emergency training of its staff regarding dealing with shark attacks.  Practise / mock attacks should be conducted in conjunction with the NSRI and Western Province Lifesaving
• The City must, through its formal relationship with white shark researchers from the Save Our Seas Foundation and the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, remain abreast of possible development of new technologies that would increase the level of safety across our coastline.
• This is the second fatal attack in almost the exact location (Ms Webb was fatally attacked in November 2004 in the same area).  It is recommended that the City install permanent signage in the area between the Galley Restaurant and Jaggers Walk and along Jaggers Walk indicating that it is unsafe for bathing due to shark presence and encouraging bathers to use the area closer to the lifesaving club for swimming.
• The City should recommend to its communities (especially surfers and kayakers) that they have the choice to use personal shark shields.  Scientifically reviewed tests conducted by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board have shown these to be effective in deterring Great White sharks, although they are not guaranteed to be 100% effective.
• The data from the receivers located on the ocean floor in Fish Hoek must be downloaded by Save Our Sea researchers to assess whether the shark involved in the attack can be identified from a tag.

The City once again extends its condolences to the family and friends of Mr Lloyd Skinner on this tragic event

Finally, it is imperative that it is clearly stated and understood by all that Great White Sharks are naturally occurring species in our waters. Although rare, sharks and shark attacks remain a part of our landscape, despite our best efforts.

Media Queries:    Gregg Oelofse 083 940 8143

Sakhile Tsotsobe 0741850123

Shark Spotting Data and Records

Shark spotters shark data, Cape Town, South Africa

Great White Shark at Fish Hoek Beach

NOTE: This e-mail (including attachments) is subject to the disclaimer published at: http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Pages/disclaimer.aspx. Please read the disclaimer before opening any attachment or taking any other action in terms of this e-mail. If you cannot access the disclaimer, kindly send an email to disclaimer@capetown.gov.za and a copy will be provided to you. By replying to this e-mail or opening any attachment you agree to be bound by the provisions of the disclaimer.

I got a call from a friend on Fish hoek beach letting me know that a white shark had just bitten a swimmer in front of the coffee shop at fish hoek beach, I went down to have a look for myself.

The wind was howling 30 Knots SE making the ocean very choppy and difficult for rescue operations. There were 4 boats patrolling the bay looking for the body.

Here are some images from the beach -

Shark flags at Fish Hoek beach

Rescue operations at Fish Hoek beach, Cape Town, after the unfortunate shark encounter

This is an article released today by News 24

Man dies in CT shark attack 2010-01-12 17:10

The NSRI has confirmed that a swimmer has been the victim of a shark attack at Fish Hoek beach near Cape Town. Ian Klopper of the NSRI told News24 that an intensive search was underway to locate the swimmer, but had so far yielded nothing. “A white male, between 32 and 38 years old has been taken by a shark and we have not been able to locate the patient,” Klopper said. The identity of the victim is still unknown.

Twitter users also confirmed the attack. “Holy s**t, we just saw a GIGANTIC shark eat what looked like a person right in front of our house in fishhoek. Unbelievable,” wrote skabenga.

Bathers have been warned by Cape Town Disaster management to be on the lookout for great white sharks which traditionally cruise this stretch of the coast at this time of year. “The appearance of white sharks is normal during peak summer months in Cape Town near in-shore areas, as these sharks are known to hunt and feed along this stretch of coastline at this time of year,” spokesperson Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said on Tuesday. If you witnessed this, send your comments to feedback@news24.com. – News24

There were some very interesting tweets put up on twitter

Witness tweets shark attack as it happens

This is an incredibly unfortunate interaction in no way shows that white sharks activly seek swimmers / surfers as a food source. Every day there are hundreds of users in the waters of false bay without incedent, but unfortunatly these top predators do make mistakes with serious consequences.

I joined Brian McFarlane for a day on his vessel at Dyer Island. I knew the water would be clean but I was stunned at the water conditions we found in the lee of the island. The operation and vessel  (42ft Leecat) were almost as impressive as the sharks themselves.

It is amazing how this industry has made this activity suitable and accessible for everyone. No snorkels or fins required, all one has to do is look down when told too. For the general tourist that’s GREAT.

The reason for this post is to show you the images I took on the day. It is key to remember that these were taken with a small OLYMPAS Mju Tough. It’s difficult to see the monster in these animals.