South Africa's shark watchers resume monitoring as great white sharks make a comeback

Living with sharks is a major concern in Cape Town, South Africa, where great white sharks have returned after a four-year absence. In the past, these predators were responsible for fatal attacks on swimmers. Some areas in South Africa use nets and baited hooks to catch and kill sharks, but this harms other marine life. The International Union for Conservation of Nature advocates for non-lethal approaches to addressing the shark risk. In Cape Town, a team of shark spotters has been operating for over 15 years to protect both sharks and people. They monitor five beaches from the surrounding mountainsides and issue alerts if a dangerous shark is spotted. The team also sets up an "exclusion net" each morning to create a safe bathing area. The net is lifted every evening to prevent harm to sea life. Up the coast in Plettenberg Bay, shark spotters have been called in after two fatal attacks last year. They now watch five beaches and have made over 70 great white shark sightings. In response to these incidents, a local marine biologist is developing a shark barrier that mimics an underwater forest of kelp, which sharks dislike. The barrier, fitted with magnets, repels the sharks by overwhelming their senses. The biologist emphasizes the importance of sharks as top predators and the need to maintain balance in the ecosystem.