When I was about five years old and was too scared to go swimming at Fish Hoek beach in case there were sharks, my dad told me that the water was too warm for sharks; that sharks like cold water. He lied. There have always been sharks in False Bay, they’re attracted primarily by the seals at Seal Island, but they also like to swim along the relatively warm coastal waters and scaring the bejesus out of bathers.
False Bay is famous for its Great White Sharks. National Geographic has filmed countless documentaries here as scientists try to unravel the mystery that continues to surround them. Despite all the studies, very little is known about great whites, except that False Bay is the only place in the world where they breach to attack their prey. We also know that despite what the movies tell us, they don’t like to eat people. Most shark attacks occur because sharks confuse us with seals or other prey, they (usually) spit us out when they discover their mistake. But considering the size of their mouths and the sharpness of their teeth, that’s too late for most victims.
In January this year (2010), the sharks in False Bay got a great deal of media attention when a swimmer was attacked and apparently eaten in Fish Hoek. All nearby beaches were closed and shark spotting activities seriously beefed up. Anyone living in the area became used to the regular sound of the siren, which sometimes went three or four times a day. But Fish Hoek swimmers are determined and not even red flags were enough to keep them out of the water.
Shark activity in the bay is seasonal. According to Alison Kock, Research Director for the Shark Spotters programme, sharks stay near the seal colonies in winter, where their food is in easy reach, and move inshore in summer. That’s why the siren was quiet for much of winter and has started up again over the last two months. Apparently, most white shark and recreational beach user interaction occurs between mid-August and the end of March. What people are doing swimming in August I don’t know, but all the in-landers had better acquaint themselves with shark signage and flags when they flood the place in December.
As a reminder:
- A red flag indicates a shark alert and is flown during periods of increased shark activity, as well as after a recent shark spotting and when conditions are conducive to high shark activity.
- A green flag means that the spotting conditions are good and no sharks have been seen.
- A black flag means that the spotting conditions are poor, but no sharks have been seen.
- A white flag with a black shark on it means that a shark has been spotted and swimmers must get out of the water. It follows or is accompanied by the siren.
At this point I need to raise a concern. I have noticed a curious nonchalance towards the red flag. Children, with or without adult supervision, happily swim outside of demarcated areas (the fact that they’re swimming at all terrifies me) and not everyone listens to the lifesavers. Life is obviously very cheap.
During the holidays, shark spotters will be in action at Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay, Clovelly, Fish Hoek, Glencairn and Noordhoek. Shifts will run from 08:00 – 19:00, except for Fish Hoek where they will run from 07:00 – 19:00.
The last few times I have been to Fish Hoek Beach (over the last three weekends), I’ve stayed for around an hour and heard at least one siren. The rapid increase in activity has caused the City of Cape Town to issue a general shark warning. If you are at all unsure of the conditions, chat to one of the shark spotters or lifesavers on duty, or visit www.sharkspotters.org.za.
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
