Cape Town has designed new signs to improve shark safety on its beaches.
The signs seek to increase awareness about the presence of sharks (Great Whites in particular) and to guide beach users on the workings of the city’s Shark Spotting Programme.
“Significant improvements have been made to the shark warning system used by the shark spotters and the city urges the public to familiarise themselves with this system,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Councillor Brett Herron.
The new signage can be found on beaches monitored by shark spotters, where a flag warning system is used, namely Noordhoek Corner (the ‘Hoek’), Glencairn, Fish Hoek, Clovelly, St James, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg.
The following changes have been made to the warning system:
• All flags now have a shark printed on them. This is to ensure that beach users are able to differentiate between the shark spotting flags and other unrelated flags.
• Signs indicating a ‘high risk’ have been placed on Jaggers Walk at Fish Hoek Beach, where the most recent shark attacks have happened. However, beachgoers are reminded to always be vigilant and exercise caution when they swim at any beach.
• A new shark spotting information sign explains the meaning of the colour-coded shark warning flags; shows information on shark spotter duty shifts; provides general visibility conditions; indicates the date of the last shark sighting; and lists emergency services’ contact details.
• A new ‘Shark Smart’ sign conveys general information on sharks around Cape Town and advice on using the ocean.
• The Red Flag now indicates a general shark alert. It is raised when a shark has been observed in the area in the past two hours, when an increased presence of sharks has been observed or when conditions conducive to increased shark activity exist e.g. high fish activity or whale strandings. This flag will be lowered only when the alert is no longer necessary and will be flown in conjunction with one of the other spotting flags
Shark spotters on the beaches are also available to answer questions related to shark safety and information brochures can be obtained from them or the Save Our Seas Shark Centre in Kalk Bay. For recent shark activity and more information visit www.sharkspotters.org.za.
Beach users are reminded to:
• Swim in groups
• Remain visible to others when swimming
• Do not swim when there are marine mammals (whales, dolphins, seals) in the area
• Do not swim if a marine mammal or carcass has washed up on to the beach
• Do not swim if there is a stranded marine mammal in the area
