It is a debate that has been around for a very long time now, but quite recently an incident in which a number of young tiger sharks and 2 great whites were caught in the shark nets off Scottburgh, has blown it wide open with a few different sides of the story being told.
I will hand out some facts and how I understand the different groups feel about shark nets and will try stay as impartial as possible. Please don't jump down my throat if I misinterpret or relay the info incorrectly (according to you). Post your comments at the end and we can have a healthy discussion.
Now firstly the spark came from a statement being made by some dive operators, conservationists and a few others by having a paddle/ boat ride out to the nets as a sort of 'memorial service' for the unfortunate sharks that lost their lives. However it was the call for the removal all together of the nets at Scottburgh that got some people huffing and puffing.
Firstly most of the people doing the 'protesting' if you will were and are surfers. They are also part of the shark diving community and of course with the Aliwal shoal being so close depend on this for their livelihood. Sharks, like any apex predator are essential for the balance of the ecosystem. Studies have been done and the facts are there, nobody is disputing this, well definitely not the surfers. Straight away the other argument becomes, what about the thousands of people in Scottburgh that rely so heavily on the holiday seasons for their livelihood.
Let's be honest, how much do the nets actually do to prevent sharks coming into the bay? These same researchers and operators know this; they have tracked big tiger's right into the bay within meters of the point. My theory on this is that the older sharks have, after many years of being caught and released in the nets, learnt the dangers and that if they stay clear have nothing to fear. This is why the aforementioned sharks recently caught were juveniles and great whites, lured into the area by what was suspected to be a whale carcass. This would explain their lack of knowledge of the nets, but that is a debate for another time.
What I am getting at and why I mentioned earlier that the people who did the paddle out were surfers, is that a bit of finger pointing was happening because of a rant from a surfer. So immediately it was like the surfers were against the shark nets being removed for their own benefit. Sparking the argument that these surfers will still surf un-netted beaches anyway. From the surfers side this is true, but very rarely alone, in murky/ brown water or if the waves are sub par. I for one have on many occasion surfed Scottburgh alone in all of the above conditions (sometimes all at once), not feeling completely safe but enough so to go 'ace out'. We know that those big sharks come right inside the nets, but adding to the theory that just like they have learnt not to fear the nets; they have learnt that humans aren't on the menu.
So basically it boils down to peace of mind. Removing the nets is not going to stop the surfers jumping in the water; we know the dangers and accept them. But, what about the youngsters wanting to get into the sport, are their parents going to allow them into the water? The inlanders making their yearly pilgrimage to the coast, will they choose Scottburgh? Will it become a ghost town, catering only to the scuba diving fraternity? What about the recent report that a beach in Oz somewhere removed its drumlines and had its first attack in 25 years shortly after, coincidence?
So then the argument continues with, how come the same people that chum for shark diving, actively bringing more sharks into the area, are calling for the removal? What are the motives? Are they really just concerned with conservation or do more sharks, mean more divers and so more money? That wouldn't really be fair if the rest of the area suffers because the holiday makers dry up. Remember, it is for peace of mind. Most of these people know nothing about the sea and sharks except what the media (who sensationalize attacks to sell) and movies have told them. Some have such a fear that they won't even enter the ocean beyond a certain depth. There is no teaching or compromising with them. The conservationists have tried telling the commercial fishermen not to kill sharks, because they believe fewer sharks, more fish. Dumb theory, but beliefs are beliefs and a lot of them won't stop no matter what! So they think, let's remove the nets instead, we can convince the holiday makers rather and increase shark numbers that way. Ya right! Beliefs are beliefs!!
So to finish, yes the nets dent the shark numbers and yes, they kill other animals too. It sucks and we wish there was another way. Should we go the drumline route, where sharks are actively culled? Of course not, that is ludicrous, actively kill them? Well take out all the sharks and there will be no attacks, problem solved. Many fishermen have taken this approach already. No of course not, all the residents are asking is for a few hundred meters of netting to protect or even create the illusion (what ever your stance is) that the beaches are safe. It is like a fenced game reserve like Kruger, hundreds of animals die every year tying to cross the fence line. It is sad, but what if the fences were not there? Poachers would come and go as they please. Elephants would wander onto neighbouring crop farms and be shot. Wait, we can drop the fences than explain to the poachers that rhino horn has no medicinal properties!! Or tell the farmer that he can take a small loss, it will be fine!! They will listen, won't they?
It is about balance, just like we want and need balance in our oceans and other reserves; we too need balance between humans (who after all, like it or not are part of this world too) and the wildlife they share the world with. Fight the balance at your peril, it is about co-inhabiting and co-operating, without it we are all doomed, man and beast both..........
Endless Summer Shark Cage Diving Tour
Foot note: I am a surfer and a tour operator. The shark cage diving as seen in the video, provides me with revenue. As does the town of Scottburgh. I am not sure what the right route is, but hope I have at least provided some insight.
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