A Strandfontein resident is vehemently opposing a proposal to extend the False Bay White Shark Cage Diving (WSCD) operating inshore area near Strandfontein Beach.
Gaironesa Diedericks said if this proposal is granted it would cause “major havoc” for all who use the beach.
It was proposed to be extended from August to March, which is peak summer season for beach goers she said.
“All of the sharks are going to come here. What about the surfers and the fishermen?
“We do not accept this proposal,” she said.
“Just imagine we have 200 sharks swimming in the pool. What about the lifesavers going out to save the people. Must they be eaten by sharks?” she asked.
Ms Diederick was one of six people present at a public meeting at the pavilion on Friday September 16 hosted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, which follows an application by the tourism industry.
She said that there are “no real tourism establishments” in Strandfontein.
“Areas on either side of Mitchell’s Plain are set to benefit. So, we are not really losing out,“ she said.
The proposal is to temporarily extend the FWSCD operating area from its current area around Seal Island to the inshore.
Elton Jansen, councillor for Ward 43 and chairman of Sub council 17, wants to better understand how the area would benefit from the proposed extension.
“How will local tourism benefit from this proposed extended area?” he wanted to know.
Mr Jansen said the beach and its users, beach goers, swimmers, fishermen, surfers and lifesavers should be protected at any cost.
“’Inviting’ or luring sharks to the Strandfontein Beach area does not seem like something I want to support,” he said.
Mr Jansen said his office was planning a separate engagement with community stakeholders, including local fishermen, to further discuss and solicit input and comments.
“We will invite the official from Fisheries and Forestry to this engagement,” he said.
A date must still be confirmed.
The Government Gazette dated September 2 details that the white shark cage diving business asked for the extension because there has been a decline in business operations following the disappearance of Great White Shark sightings at Seal Island and the increased presence of other shark species, such as the Bronze Whaler, in inshore areas near Strandfontein Beach.
This has also negatively impacted the tourism sector in Cape Town, such as bed and breakfast establishments, hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses.
The industry wants to mitigate the negative impacts to the tourism sector in Cape Town, by extending the FWSCD, to include diving with other shark species.
They would in the new extended area use chum and other methods to attract other shark species still present in the bay.
“If the Great White Shark returns to the bay in numbers previously recorded in 2010/2011 the new area would be closed,” read the notice.
The department hosted another public meeting at Strandfontein community hall yesterday, Tuesday September 20. The next meeting will be at Pelican Park hall tomorrow, Thursday September 22; and the final meeting will be back at the pavilion on Friday September 30.
Written representations, from the public, are due in the first week of October, with the last date for submissions on Sunday October 2 – it can be sent by post to the department’s deputy director-general Gcobani Popose, Private Bag X4390, Cape Town 8002; delivered by hand to the East Pier Shed (building 1), East Pier Road at the V&A Waterfront or emailed to WSCD@environment.gov.za
For more information call Matshidiso Malatji on 012 399 8816 or 060 834 2477.