So what is shark fining and where does it originate from?

There is no accurate record of where fining originated from but it can be dated back to the 14^th Century as a delicacy for nobles and aristocrats in China for shark fin soup. Shark fin soup was considered a rare delicacy signifying wealth and power. As time progressed, in the 18^th & 19^th Century, it become a more mainstream delicacy with commercial fishing and trading normalising the influx of shark fins.

As shark fins became more popularised, it became integrated into Chinese traditional medicine with the belief that shark fins have the ability to rejuvenate bodily organs, prevent cancer, heart disease and lower cholesterol. There is no medical evidence of any health benefits of shark fins soup to date.

95% Decimation of shark species since 1970’s

So what is the effect of fining? Well, due to the increase of shark fin soup over the years, many species of sharks are being “harvested” in larger numbers. This has caused a 95% decimation of the shark species since the 1970s, with an estimated 70-100 million sharks being caught and killed for their fins each year! The process of finning is a brutal and incredibly cruel practice.

So how are the sharks caught?

PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS EXPLICIT IN NATURE.

The brutal practice begins with catching sharks with longlines, gillnets and spears. They are lugged onto the boat where they begin to suffocate. The fishermen then slice off their fins, while the sharks are alive, and eventually throw them back overboard into the water where they slowly sink to the ocean bed, unable to swim, stressed and weakened from their ordeal, to either die a slow death of blood loss, starvation, drowning (shark gills require a constant flow of oxygen, which is extracted from the water while moving) or to be eaten alive by bottom-feeders such as crustaceans.

In terms of the impact of the apex predator knocked off the top of the food chain, the ocean will be thrown off balance. Sharks tend to hunt weaker, sickly and injured fish causing a sustainable amount of the herbivorous smaller fish population. A decline in sharks means an increase in larger predatory fish meaning a larger amount of herbivorous fish being eaten. This means that there is less fish to eat the algae causing an overgrow of suffocating algae, which in turn, causes an extinction of fish species due to the ammonia toxicity of the green slime.

How can we stop the effects of shark fining?

The difficulty in shark fining conservation is the ignorance about sharks and how important they are. Hence, educating others about sharks, i.e. learn more from our blogs and joining campaigns is an important first step in the right direction. I have created a list for you below:

1. Don’t eat shark fin soup
2. Support organisations aimed at saving marine wildlife such as Sea Shepherd, the Humane Society International and Wild Aid
3. Participate in campaigns such as the “no shark fin” pledge
4. Use social media positively to advocate and create awareness of shark and Eco conservation

Because, not matter how much financial “value” shark fins have in the market, they have far more value for the shark!

Written By Lana Samuels 

According to South African tourism statistics, if you are reading this you are possibly doing so from North America, Europe, Australia, India, China or Namibia and that getting out to sea, one way or the other, is on your list of things to do while on vacation in Cape Town.

Locals will tell you that there is always something to do here and they’re not wrong yet despite this, visitor numbers take a hard dive in winter. It seems even the Mother City is not immune to seasonality.

The city has been working tirelessly over the years to change the perception that Cape Town is only a summer vacation destination among regional and international visitors alike.

Here’s a fun fact, the best time to view and dive with sharks in South Africa is in winter, especially if you are aiming to catch a glimpse of the Great White shark. The main reason for this is the breeding behaviour of the Cape Fur Seal, a major food-source for sharks.

It is in winter that the pups are weaned and left to fend for themselves and (you guessed it) get into the ocean for the first time. Enter Airjaws- the fantastic breaching and predatory display of shark versus seal. This is one of the major reasons those who do come in winter choose to do so. It is a fantastic thrill that you have experience to understand. If you would like to know more email us now!

The Flag System – what does it mean?

Red Flag: High Alert!

White Flag: Shark has been spotted!

Black Flag: Spotting conditions are poor!

Green Flag: Spotting conditions are good!

Where and when can you find Shark Spotters on Duty?

Permanent Beaches (365 days a year):

Muizenberg: 8am – 6pm

St James/Kalk Bay: 8am – 6pm

Fish Hoek: 8am – 6pm (7am – 6.45pm in summer)

The Hoek, Noordhoek: 8am – 6pm

Caves, Kogel Bay: 8am – 6pm

Temporary Beaches (Oct – April: Weekends, Public Holidays and School Holidays)

Clovelly: 10.00am – 5pm

Glencairn: 8am – 6pm

We’ve always associated colours with meaning; blue = cold, yellow = sunny and red = danger. So following that train of thought, the words “Red Tide” should set alarm bells ringing as a sign of something dangerous.

Red Tide is a colloquialism for the out of control growth of harmful algal blooms, these are small, single cell plants that live in our oceans and freshwaters, which then produce toxic effects on fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds and have been known to cause illness in humans, if the contaminated fish / shell fish is consumed.

These “blooms” will most often discolour the water tainting it red, reddish brown and sometimes orange, bringing us back to the common name; “Red Tide.” At night and with a florescent light, this phenomenon, can actually look quite beautiful.

Though every coastal town / city has at some point in their history and more than once, experienced “Red Tide”, not all algal blooms are harmful. On the contrary, most blooms are actually beneficial as these tiny plants are food for the oceans creatures and are in fact, the major source of energy that fuels the ocean food web. There are a small percentage of algae, however, that produce powerful toxins that kill fish, shellfish, mammals, and birds, and may directly or indirectly cause illness in people. These also include blooms of non-toxic species that have harmful effects on marine ecosystems. For example, when masses of algae die and decompose, the decaying process can deplete oxygen in the water, causing the water to become so low in oxygen that animals either leave the area or die. I’m not saying this is the case, but perhaps this could explain why certain marine mammals beach themselves at times? It’s just a thought.

Red Tide is poisonous and can make you very ill if ingested

When eaten, poisonous marine animals can make you very ill, and may even cause muscular paralysis and death. Below is a guide to poisonous marine animals that can be found in the South African seawaters. A leading South African toxicologist Dr Gerbus Müller, was instrumental in its compilation. Read through it and know the potential dangers before you indulge in the seas delicacies this summer.

Mussels, oysters and other bi-valve shellfish, strain the harmful blooms from the water then digest them, and accumulate their poison. Shellfish do not seem to be harmed by the poison, but are toxic when eaten. Shellfish affected by red tides can be extremely poisonous and have been known to cause paralysis and even death, in humans.

I realise that this is a lot to look at but let’s take a look at the different types of “Red Tide” poisoning one could be faced with in South Africa and their symptoms. (Please note, this is not meant as a medical diagnosis, only information, and should there be any thought at any time that there is “Red Tide” poisoning present, it is strongly recommended that you go immediately to your nearest medical practitioner, hospital or poison centre.)

1. Paralytic shellfish poisoning Eating mussels that contain the poison saxitoxin, produced by Alexandrium catenella, causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.

Signs and symptoms: Symptoms occur within 30 minutes to two hours after eating the food.

These include a tingling sensation or numbness around the lips (which spreads to the rest of the face and neck), a prickly sensation in fingertips and toes, headache, dizziness, a floating or gliding sensation, vertigo, visual disturbances and a weakness of the legs.

In severe cases, progressive muscular paralysis, with pronounced breathing difficulty, develops. Death due to respiratory failure may occur within 2-24 hours after eating affected food.

Treatment: Symptoms and signs normally clear within 36-48 hours. Luckily, the toxic effect is completely reversible

Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

1. Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning This type of poisoning is caused by okadeic acid, which is produced by Dinophysis acuminata.

Signs and symptoms: Symptoms usually develop within four hours after eating a meal.

These include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and rigors.

Treatment: People usually recover within three days of eating the affected food.

Treatment is symptomatic. Pay particular attention to fluid retention by drinking copious amounts of fluids.

1. Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning This type of poisoning is caused by Gymnodinium species.

Signs and symptoms: Exposure, usually in the surf close to the beach, causes irritation of the eyes, nose and throat with coughing, sneezing and difficulty breathing.

It may lead to asthma attacks in certain people.

Treatment: Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

How to prevent poisoning: Be aware of red tide warnings and never eat shellfish that originated from the affected area during this time. Red tides usually occur during the late summer and early autumn, but may occur at any time of the year.

An obvious sign to look out for is discolouration of the water.

Check the safety of picking your own mussels (and other bivalve shellfish) by dialling the Red Tide Alert desk in Cape Town on (021) 434 4457.

2. Scombroid poisoning Scombroid poisoning is caused by the consumption of fish that has undergone autolytic changes which increases its histamine content.

These changes may be tied to the food chain of the fish itself. However, the exact mechanism is unclear.

This is a problem that occurs from time to time, particularly in Cape yellowtail, although tuna and mackerel have also been implicated. Several incidents of scombroid poisoning have occurred in South Africa and all over the world in recent years.

It is not necessarily linked to breaks in the cold chain or improper storage conditions.

Signs and symptoms of poisoning: The onset of the illness occurs rapidly, usually within minutes after the affected food is ingested.

Symptoms include a hot, blotchy flushing of the skin, gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, mouth sensations and palpitations. These symptoms seldom last for more than six hours.

Most cases of scombroid poisoning are mild and not life-threatening. The illness can be more serious in patients suffering from heart disease or asthma, or in elderly people.

Treatment: Seek medical attention. Your doctor will prescribe antihistamine treatment.

How to prevent poisoning:

Avoid eating Cape yellowtail if you suffer from heart disease or asthma.

Unfortunately, there is no way of telling whether a helping of fish is affected just by looking at it. Although there have been reports that affected fish tastes “peppery”, “pungent” or “bitter”, this is not an accurate measure to go by.

Let’s have fun and enjoy the ocean in all it’s forms, with understanding and a knowledge of it’s possible dangers.

I hope this has been helpful.

Until we meet again, keep that toothy grin!

By Nadine Bentley

Chumming is a type of scent trail that that attracts fish, sharks, etc, to an area, or boat. It may be man made or natural. An example of a natural scent trail is a

• seal colony,
• bird colony,
• a dead whale or
• seal carcass even dead birds.

An example of a man made scent trail would be for an example, fisherman using mashed up anchovies/pilchards with marine oil and salt water to attract fish and or small shark species to the boat in order to catch them. Another chum would be small cut pieces of sardines dropped off the boat to get shoaling fish like yellowtail or tuna up to the surface to make catching them more successful. The chum may vary depending on what type of fish the fisherman wants to attract. Another good example of a man made scent trail created when fish are cleaned on a daily basis at a fishing harbour or beach and boats pumping there bulges.

Who chums?

Fisherman, shark operators, research vessels, or anyone wanting to attract fish, sharks etc to a boat.

What type of chum do shark operators use?

Most operators use mashed up anchovies/pilchards with marine oil and salt water, plain sardines and or shark liver. A piece of bait, usually a tuna head is also placed into the water. A permit is needed to use any carcasses such as whale meat, or seal (often used on research vessels for scientific studies). We do not use shark liver. We do not believe in killing sharks to attract sharks.

African Shark Eco-Charters mostly uses a piece of bait for Great White Sharks and rely on the natural chum line from the seal colony in False Bay and the presents of the sharks in the area were they work.

Does chumming condition sharks to follow boats.

No. If this was true, then there would be scores of sharks following every fishing boat on a daily basis.

Why do people assume that shark attacks are related to chumming?

The media has portrayed the recent shark attacks and the fact that there are shark operators in the area, and have linked them without any facts, when in reality fisherman have been fishing ( and chumming) for years and years in the area where shark operators work, with out any incident of shark attacks.

Has chumming by shark operators caused an increase in shark attacks?

Definitely not! This is a gross misconception made by the media, and because shark attacks are taken so personally by the public, a scape goat is needed to appease the public.

Does chumming condition sharks to follow boats.

No. If this was true, then there would be hundreds of sharks following every fishing boat on a daily basis.

Why is the media always going on about chumming?

Again, a scape goat is needed to appease the public in the wake of the shark attacks over the last few years, and sensationalism sells newspapers.

Want to go on a shark cage diving or breaching trip with people that shares your love for them, then look no further! African Shark Eco-Charters is the top shark cage diving company operating in False Bay, experts since 1996. We specialize in shark cage diving, breaching, viewing and filming  trips. Great White sharks are our life and our love and we are privileged to be able to share our passion and our knowledge with you.

The “AIRJAWS” shark breaching trip is our most popular trip. It is a combination trip of shark breaching and shark cage diving. The season for AIRJAWS starts in May.

Shark Breaching is one of the hunting techniques that great white sharks use to surprise and kill its prey. They  breach with such force and explosive energy that it propels the shark right out of the water.  The best time is just before and at sunrise and mainly at certain area’s around the island and only for a few months of the year.

This behavior is absolutely awesome to witness in person, and if you are in Cape Town during shark season, then this trip is a “must do”. It is seen nowhere on the planet as regularly as  in False Bay and by joining us on one of our AIRJAWS trips you may be lucky enough to witness a breaching great white shark “AIRJAWS” for yourself.

We depart early in the morning as this is when the great white’s natural predatory interaction with the Cape Fur seal is the most intense. The activity lasts for around an hour and a half.

We are respectful that we are entering the territory of the great white and even though we try to get as close to a predatory event as possible, every effort is made to avoid blocking a seal’s escape path to the Island. This is a natural event we are witnessing and so we make sure our environmental impact is as little as possible.

When the  predation activity has quieted down we try for a decoy tow using a fake soft cushion cut out “dummy” seal, in which we attempt to get the great white shark to breach. This soft decoy will not harm the shark in any way and making sure that we only do this for a limited period only, it allows for the best photographic opportunity.

What happens if the shark doesn’t catch the seal when it breaches?

Not every breach leads to a successful kill. If the great white shark misses the seal, then the chase is on. It is a game of cat and mouse of epic proportions as you are rooting for the seal, yet wanting to see a predation.

When should I book? What’s best time of the year for  shark breaching?

From February shark diving season opens. This trip is then called the shark cage diving trip.

Shark Breaching starts to be seen around mid-April  and the best months for the predation and breaching activity is during June, July and August. September is in between high and intermediate season. February and March is too early for breaching. Here our trips focus on the shark cage diving and surface viewing.  The trip departs from Simon’s Town at 7am sharp and returns at 12h30.

Here are some very important questions to ask when choosing a great white shark operator. 

How many passengers on your boat? 12. We focus on smaller groups to ensure that everyone has a personal experience with the great white sharks.

How many divers in the shark cage? 2 maximum. Many operators take 5-8 guests at a time.

Do you offer scuba? Yes. All diving equipment is supplied. No diving experience is necessary however you are welcome to snorkel as well. Most operators only allow you to hold your breath, seriously!

Does using scuba affect the sharks coming to the boat? No.  If it did we would not do it! Working in False Bay since 1996, we have found that the bubbles or scuba noise have no effect on the great white sharks. Most operators don’t like to work with scuba as re-filling tanks is a bother and they don’t want to do it.

Do you use shark liver to attract sharks? No

How long is the trip? It is 5.5hrs long.

Transfers: Optional: Return transfers from designated pickup points in Cape Town

What to bring to your Great White Shark Diving experience

• Rain/wind jacket
• Sun block and Hat
• Camera (we sell disposable underwater camera’s)
• Take sea sick tablets

Please Note: We have a very high success rate, however with all wild animals, shark sightings, activity, predation events and breaching can vary from day to day. Even during peak season there may be days when we do not see any breaching or predatory events.
Please be aware of this, so you do not arrive with unrealistic expectations. Rather come hoping to see these natural events, than expecting. No refunds will be made for non-sightings. We will however offer you a voucher for another trip.

Paul de Gelder lost a leg and a forearm due to an attack by a bull shark while practicing exercises in Sydney Harbour in 2009. But despite his past experience, he continues to speak out in defense of the sharks in our oceans, and has lots to say when it comes to the planned slaughter of sharks in Western Australia with the new shark cull policy.

It is always a tragedy when someone loses their life to a shark attack and our hearts go out to the family and friends of shark attack victims, but the WS shark cull policy is not the solution to preventing shark attacks in the area. Many Australians were banding together in opposition of the WA shark cull, including rallies in Western Australia and New South Whales.

As a shark attack victim, Paul de Gelder knows how bad an attack can be, but he says that is the risk one takes when heading into the Australian ocean.

“The ocean is not our backyard swimming pool and we shouldn’t expect it to be one. It’s a wondrous, beautiful, dangerous place that provides our planet with all life. Its inhabitants need protection from those that would do it harm.”

We need to speak up for the rights of our sharks who cannot speak up for themselves!

Join African Shark Eco-Charters on our Great White Shark breaching and cage diving trips, and let us show you why we feel that our sharks are worth protecting. Join us and many more people like Paul de Gelder throughout the world in the fight to help save sharks!

A group of nine shark attack survivors, including Australian navy diver Paul de Gelder, gathered at the United Nations in New York to shed light on the fact that their attackers, including the Great White Shark, desperately need protecting. They have lost legs, arms, and ankle parts, and yet they still believe that our ocean’s greatest predators have more to reason to fear the water than us humans do – and we at African Shark Eco-Charters have to agree.

With around 73 million sharks being killed annually to meet the demand for shark fin soup in Asia, excessive overfishing is driving many species to the brink of extinction and now more than ever, we need to get the world to see that it’s time to help save sharks in our oceans.

Scientists say that wiping out our ocean’s greatest predators is creating a destructive ripple effect throughout marine ecosystems. Helps save sharks by educating others on the crucial role that sharks play in maintaining a healthy ocean.

These shark attack survivors have been fighting to put a ban to all shark finning, where fishermen cut off the sharks fins and throw the gravely injured sharks back into the sea, and for strict catch limits to be imposed worldwide.

Join African Shark Eco-Charters on our Great White Shark breaching and cage diving trips, and let us show you why we feel that our sharks are worth protecting. Join us and many more people throughout the world in the fight to help save sharks!

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Source][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

A  protester holds a sign during the anti-shark culling rally on Saturday. Audience submitted: Peter Best

Despite a 4,000-strong crowd which gathered at Cottesloe Beach in Perth this past Saturday to protest the latest controversial shark cull plan, the WA Government says that it will not be backing down on their decision.

The shark cull plan – which will only target sharks over three metres according to the WA Government – was announced after seven fatal shark attacks off the WA coast in three years.

Protestors gathered to vent their anger about the plan to use baited lines to kill large sharks off selected swimming beaches, and environmentalists have tried to argue that there is overwhelming evidence that proves that killing sharks will not prevent attacks.

Sharks have been living in the world’s oceans for millions of years before us, and we are intruding into their habitat every time we enter the ocean. While they can be dangerous, they are not mindless “man-killers” as the media portrays them to be. Entering the ocean should be done at our own risk and there are numerous safety tips to practice that can reduce our chances of being attacked.

The Great White Shark is an apex predator and is a crucial part of creating a healthy marine ecosystem. By culling the Great White Sharks, it will create a knock-on effect that will seriously jeopardize the balance of our oceans.

Education is key to conserving this species, and culling the Great White Sharks only takes us a step back in our conservation efforts.

Join African Shark Eco-Charters on an educational Great White Shark cage diving and breaching trip and let us show you these beautiful creatures in their natural environment. Conservation starts with education and our aim is to change your perception of these incredible animals in an effort to help save this species.

Under Western Australia’s Government’s new “shark hazard mitigation” policy, two specially monitored zones will be declared off the metropolitan and South West coastlines between September and April, and 72 drumlines are to be set up 1km from the shoreline and fished until May 2014.

Any shark greater than 3m in length found swimming within the monitored zones will be caught and destroyed by commercial fisherman, including endangered species such as the Great White Shark, and some other species not necessarily even considered a threat to humans. These harsh and unforgivable measures were put in place after the most recent shark bite fatality in November in order to reduce the number of shark attacks in the future.

According to a recent article published in The West Australian publication on the 14th of December, there were more than 15 instances since the 9th of December where sharks larger than 3m were spotted inside those zones. They were primarily Bronze Whalers and Tiger Sharks, although some of the other sharks spotted were unidentified in terms of species or size.

Dr. Ryan Kempster, shark biologist and Founder of Support Our Sharks, recently drafter an open letter to the Western Australian Government calling them to reconsider the “shark hazard mitigation” policy in favour of a non-lethal approach to shark management. This open letter has since gathered the support of more than 100 shark scientists and professionals who are apposed to the Government’s shark cull policy and the use of drumlines. Another shark biologist, Dr. Barbara Wueringer, also started a public petition against the shark cull policy which has since gathered more than 33,000 people.

Many people have started to question the merits of drumlines being set to capture the sharks, including the Shadow fisheries minister, Dave Kelly. He said that up to 60% of the sharks that drumlines  had killed in Queensland over the past two years were  smaller than 2m.

Education and proper communication of knowledge will play a key role in trying to find an effective solution that will not harm the sharks.

Join African Shark Eco-Charters on one of our Great White Shark cage diving and breaching trips, and let us educate you about the importance of sharks in our oceans and why they are worth protecting, in an effort to help save sharks.