Well, it’s not like we haven’t told you before.

In March last year, researchers released data on nine years of studying the False Bay great white sharks, focusing on Seal Island.

Then, in October, we wrote about how the diminishing presence of great whites had created a space for the sevengill cowsharks to move in, and some wondered whether the activities of notorious orcas Port and Starboard might have played a role.

So, what’s the latest? Unfortunately for fans of the noble beasts, the last 18 months speak for themselves. Here’s IOL:

The Shark Spotters applied research programme has been monitoring white shark activity and behavioural ecology in False Bay since 2004.

Between 2010 and 2016, spotters recorded an average of 205 white shark sightings per year at their operating beaches during the spring and summer period.

However, in 2018 the total number of shark sightings recorded fell to only 50, and this year there has not been a single confirmed white shark sighting by the spotters. Neither has the Shark Spotters applied research programme detected any of the tagged white sharks on their tracking receivers since 2017.

Not a single shark in 2019 – that’s really very sad.

Even at False Bay’s Seal Island itself (below), which has always been an important feeding site in years gone by, shark cage diving eco-tourism operators have not seen a single white shark sighting this year.

For some perspective, these operators would often see up to 30 seal predations daily:

Further supporting evidence of the absence of these large apex predators is the lack of any feeding or bite marks on the whale carcases the City has removed from False Bay this year…

Great white sharks are top apex predators and we do not know how their absence from False Bay would impact the ecosystem. Neither do we know the causes for their disappearance.

There may be some keen swimmers or surfers breathing a sigh of relief, but for eco-tourism operators, as well as the local documentary-filmmaking industry, it’s a near-fatal blow.

The Shark Spotters programme will still continue at selected beaches this summer season (including Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg), but won’t operate at others, such as Glencairn, The Hoek in Noordhoek, and Danger Beach in St James.

Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Marian Nieuwoudt, says that they will “maintain an adaptive management approach to shark risk”. As researchers and spotters are unsure whether the sharks are gone for good, or may still return, a common-sense approach at beaches is recommended:

“Residents and visitors should therefore remain vigilant and cautious when visiting beaches. The spotters still regularly observe other large shark species in the inshore area, such as bronze whaler sharks. While these do not pose as a significant threat to water users as white sharks, it is often hard to distinguish between the two species.

“Better to avoid being in close proximity to them especially when prey is in the area. The great white sharks may also return at any time. We urge water users to behave responsibly and to adhere to Shark Spotters’ warnings and to leave the ocean immediately when they hear the siren or are told to do so by a spotter or lifeguard,” said Nieuwoudt.

The Shark Spotters are hopeful that the great whites will return, and I’m sure that sentiment is echoed by tour operators and those of us who enjoy knowing that these apex predators are around.

Thankfully, as we saw from that incredible drone footage, they are still to be found in Gansbaai.

[source:iol]