Call for Scientific Inquiry in Guiding Conservation Efforts Needed for White Sharks

The recent sighting of an Orca chasing dolphins off Umhloti and Ballito in KwaZulu Natal might not be such a rare event in the future. That there has been an increase in such sightings since 2015 seems to support the findings from a recent study that South Africa’s white shark population has not decreased, but simply redistributed eastwards to fleet predation from Orcas. But a group of marine biologists specialising in shark ecology, genetics and fisheries are challenging the findings and are calling on authorities to take a precautionary approach.

A group of marine biologists specialising in shark ecology, genetics and fisheries have challenged the findings from a recent study suggesting that South Africa’s white shark population has not decreased, but simply redistributed eastwards to flee predation from orcas.

The group of concerned marine biologists include Dr Enrico Gennari (Oceans Research Institute and the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science at Rhodes University); Dr Sara Andreotti (Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University); Dr Neil Hammerschlag (Atlantic Shark Expeditions, Canada); Chris and Monique Fallows (Apex Shark Expeditions, Cape Town); and Dr Matias Braccini (Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Australia).