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State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
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The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

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Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

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20 Sep 2019

Some beaches closed as whale carcass causes shark feeding frenzy

South Coast Herald Picture: Sarel van der Merwe

The situation will be monitored over the weekend and the beaches will be opened as soon as it is safe to do so.

Margate, Uvongo and St Mike’s beaches are closed for bathing until further notice.

According to Councillor Dave Watson this decision was taken by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board due to the heightened shark activity around the whale carcass at Shelly Beach.

Cllr Watson said Ray Nkonyeni Municipality was disposing of the remainder of the carcass today (Friday) but there were many pieces already offshore with ample evidence of sharks ‘munching’ whale meat.

During times like this, there is heightened shark activity and can be in a feeding frenzy and will follow chunks right into the surf zone.

The situation will be monitored over the weekend and the beaches will be opened as soon as it is safe to do so.

“The bounty from this tragic beaching of the whale is a wonder to experience and it’s stunning to live in an area where we have such a close association with so many of the ocean creatures. Let’s share our beach with them for a couple of days with pride,” he said.

Numerous attempts to get hold of the KZN Sharks Board for comment proved fruitless.

Online Article