Spot the Shark?
The cache, a black-taped tablet pot) is hidden a short distance (<100m) up the Bailey's Kloof trail near the Muizenberg Sharkspotter’s mountain watch station on Boye’s Drive above Muizenberg Corner. Weather permitting, the station has clear views over Muizenberg beach and the adjoining corner of False Bay, as well as great vistas over Muizenberg town, Cape Flats and across False Bay to the Hottentots Holland mountains. From near GZ there are also views throught the trees to the south down the False Bay coast.
Depending upon your direction of travel, park either in the small parking area on the west side of Boyes Drive @ the Bailey's Kloof trailhead @ S34 06.753 E018 27.791(use if coming from the south, space for 2-3 cars) or across the road on the east (bay) side of Boyes Drive on the pavement adjacent to the watch station @ S34 06.771 E018 27.795 (use if coming from the north).
The cache can be found without leaving the trail. Please watch out for muggles coming along the trail and take care to properly conceal the container when replacing to ensure it is not visible.
Sharks in False Bay
Of course, although other sharks are found in False Bay (eg. Pacific Blue and Mako), the one of greatest concern to sharkspotters and people in the water is Carcharodon carcharias, the Great White Shark (see here for details or here for a summary) particularly since Seal Island just a few kilometres away in the bay attracts large numbers of this shark drawn by the bountiful supply (~40,000) of Cape Fur Seals – the main item on their diet. See here for video of Great White Sharks at this location.
Despite the Sharkspotter programme there have been a few shark attacks in False Bay, some fatal. The latest occurred just off Fish Hoek beach in January 2010 (see here). Although, some sources show that you are more likely to be struck by lightning than attacked by a shark (see here), it is only logical to suppose that if you were contravening one or more of the Safety Tips listed below in an area known to be frequented by sharks then the risk of attack would be considerably higher than usual! Generally however, given the number of people who enter the waters of False Bay and the number of shark attacks recorded, the chances of being attacked are extremely low. There is certainly more chance of hypothermia than shark attack!
(See also Adilawson’s Shark Spotters cache GC2MQC5 here for further information on Sharkspotters, sharks & shark attacks)
Background to Sharkspotting
False Bay communities responded to a noticeable increase in shark sightings over the last few years by starting a shark spotting programme to try to reduce interaction of recreational water users and sharks. This was of particular concern to surfers who spend prolonged periods in the water some considerable distance from the beach.
Shark spotting started informally at Muizenberg Corner where organizers of surfing competitions asked car guards to watch out for sharks from the beach. In October 2004, after seeing that council and communities were dragging their heals in addressing the shark issue, Greg Bertish, a local surfer and businessman, decided to formalise and establish a systematic Sharkspotting programme. He invested his own funds and started fund-raising through rallying his friends and fellow surfers. He employed and worked with Rasta Davids (the original carguard/spotter) and Monwabisi Sikiya (a lifeguard). One was stationed on the beach on a watch-tower (beach watch) and the other high on the mountain above the beach (mountain watch).
With support from a few sports and surfing equipment suppliers a shark alarm (siren) was bought and installed that could be triggered by remote control from the mountain, and a warning flag(pole) signalling system introduced. Subsequently with further funding and help from local residents and businesses, a base station was established at Surf Shack, 2-way radios, medical supplies, polarised sunglasses, and binoculars obtained, and key individuals trained in first aid. As a result of all these initiatives, the first formal sharkspotting setup in the country became established.
Spotters for the Fish Hoek trek net fisherman then also became involved by informing local Law Enforcement Officers on the beach of any shark sightings. Local community initiatives there grew and became more formalized, following in the footsteps of the Muizenberg system.
The City of Cape Town’s Environmental Management Department then became involved in the spotting programmes, collecting and collating data recorded by the spotters and assisting with development of safety protocols. In November 2005 the City provided R400,000 to the two existing programmes and to expand the programme to other beaches. Starting in January 2006, during the holidays lifeguards at Monwabisi, Mnandi, Blue Waters, Strandfontein and Sunrise beaches took on the additional function of shark spotters.
Two non-governmental organizations also became involved in the programme. AfriOceans Conservation Alliance provided shark warning and information sign boards for Cape Town’s beaches; and the World Wildlife Fund through the Table Mountain Fund provided funding to employ a full time Shark Spotting Programme Co-ordinator.
The above information was adapted from that available on the Sharkspotter’s website here. The latest shark info, alerts and a list of sightings is given on the blog site here.
Currently shark spotting services are running from 08h00-18h00 daily at Muizenberg Beach, St James Beach and Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek Beach and Noordhoek (The Hoek). From the beginning of October, the afternoon shift is extended to 19:00 and Fish Hoek morning time starts at 07h00. During the peak summer season the programme is extended to cover Clovelly and Glencairn.
Objectives of the Sharkspotters Programme:
- Contribute to rational and considered decision-making in the management of interactions between White Sharks and bathers in False Bay and Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) Marine Protection Areas (MPA)
- Provide efficient shark warning & safety systems at appropriate beaches
- Collect data on shark sightings and beach closures & provide this to researchers
- Ensure appropriate public education & awareness and accurate and fair publicity
- Provide employment opportunities for previously disadvantaged youth
- Provide skills development and training for shark spotters
- Provide emergency treatment in the event of a shark attack
- Foster and establish partnerships with a range of organisations and individuals
- Conserve and protect marine resources
Sharkspotters Flag System
Coloured flags displayed prominently on the beach +/- a siren indicate shark status as follows:
- Green Flag: visibility for the spotters is good and no sharks have been seen
- Black Flag: visibility for the spotters is poor, but no sharks have been seen
- Red Flag: shark seen recently, but is no longer visible to the spotters
- White Flag + Black Shark + loud siren: shark sighted, leave the water calmly & immediately
- No Flag: spotters not on duty
Safety tips to avoid shark attack:
- Don’t swim, surf or surfski when birds, dolphins or seals are feeding nearby
- Don’t swim in deep water beyond the breakers
- Don’t swim if you are bleeding
- Don’t swim near river mouths
- Don’t swim, surf or surfski where trek-netting, fishing or spear-fishing is taking place
- Don’t dive for lobster using a bait bag
- Don’t swim, surf, surfski at night
- If a shark has recently been sighted in an area where no mountain spotters are present, use another beach for the day
- For first time visitors to beach areas, ask local law enforcement official, life guards or residents about the area
- Obey beach officials if told to leave the water
- If kayaking or surfskiing far out to sea, paddle in groups and stay close together (in a diamond shape)
- Pay attention to beach signage