I remember as a lightie (12yrs or so) getting a chopper flip from Mosselbay to Plett. Back then I remember seeing what seemed to be thousands - I'm sure it was closer to hundreds - of big dark shadows just behind the backlines of many of our favourite beachbreaks. I was so nervous it took me months before I surfed on the long open beaches of the SCape again.
Thing is, the Whites have always been there. There are photos somewhere of my grandad with a White caught on a kite setup years ago. Caught just behind the surf on a big dead bait.
What has changed is huge increases in numbers water users and continual depleting of fish stocks. We're coming to them more and more. As I said, let us loose in a Big5 park and see how it takes before someone is attacked.
But I don't think there is a simple or easy answer. I agree about worrying that the shouts to cull sharks will soon (if not already) be heard.
Noted fly fishermen Lefty Kreh was once asked by a non-fisherman whats the sense was of catching fish just to let it go. He responded, “Do you burn your golf balls after a game?”
As a Dive Master and surfer I know the risks we take going into the ocean. It is the domain of the shark, the oceans apex predator. I don't think the chumming alone can be blamed. You here about shark attacks like the ones in Port st Johns and surounds. And a couple of years ago in Buffalo bay. There were no chumming done. It is in the nature of the Shark to be where ever he wants to be searching for food and when he sees something that elates to a food source, he goes in for a bite. I believe on humans it is mistaken identity, but the bite is so severe in cases of death that the victim bleeds to death before he/she can be helped.
Looking for excuses is not the answer, we have to accept that the ocean belongs to them.
" Not tonight baby! I gotta fly"
This is true, very true.
Us humans does invade spaces and then believe that we own it.
Swim in the Limpopo River and you may get mistaken for food by a croc.
Walk close to a river or dam in the bushveld and you might cut off a hippo from their return path to safety and get in trouble.
Swim anywhere in the Ocean and you might get mistaken for food by a shark.
It is their natural domain, which we share not own at all.
PK
I am haunted by waters - Norman Maclean
Exactly. A friend of mine was quite badly injured by wild dolphins off Plett. He had three ribs broben, and nearly drowned. He jumped into the water near a pod, and a single dolphin left the pod, circled him, and flicked his tail next to him, and.....ya, three broken ribs. Don't ever jump into the water near wild dolphins...they are dangerous.
Disclaimer.... none of my posts are intended to be "expert advice"..just opinions from someone who is willing to help where he can.
Disclaimer.... none of my posts are intended to be "expert advice"..just opinions from someone who is willing to help where he can.
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