An almighty row is brewing between shark-tour operators and local fishermen in Gansbaai, Western Cape, after four bronze whalers were killed in front of a cage-diving boat.
The incident took place last Wednesday, on 19 February. As the tourist vessel sailed out to sea, they were confronted by the sight of small fishing boats, and men on board were capturing and killing the local sharks. The shocking scenes prompted the Great White Shark Foundation to take a stand, and they issued a statement on behalf of tour organisers Marine Dynamics.
Gansbaai sharks killed during tourist expedition
Wilfred Chivell owns the business, and he has expressed fear over what was witnessed off the coast of Gansbaai six days ago. He conceded that some sharks are impacting on the fishing trade, but also maintained that there was no need to invade the space specifically demarked for tourist travel:
“Whilst we fully understand that fishermen can legally catch bronze whaler sharks, the minimal amount that they stand to lose by not fishing in the same area where we take our guests, cannot compare to the loss of an entire eco-tourism industry.”
“If the capture and killing of these sharks continue in this specific area of Gansbaai in which we operate, it will lead to companies closing and people losing their jobs.”
Wilfred Chivell
Toursism boats vs the fishing industry
The billion-rand eco-tourism industry employs around 250 people, and indirectly supports more than 1 600 dependents in this part of Overstrand. More incidents like this are guaranteed to have a negative impact on the way these businesses are allowed to work. Front-row tickets to the killing of a shark labelled “a vulnerable species” wouldn’t really be a family-friendly seller.
Meanwhile, the fishermen argue that the shark demersal longliners are causing havoc with their stocks. Their hauls are being depleted by their rivals across the water, and those who depend on the seas for their livelihoods have vowed to continue targeting sharks from their boats.
