City Response to Shark Attack at Strand Beach

The City of Cape Town and the White Shark Working Group[WSWG] would like to extend their sympathies to Andrew Smith and wishes him a speedy recovery following his encounter with a shark at Strand Beach", says Gregg Oelofse, the City's representative on the WSWG.

Initial information from the bite marks suggests that the shark that bit Andrew was a small Great White in the region of 2m in length. Andrew has been interviewed by the Shark Spotting Programme Coordinator and all information collected will be sent to the Natal Sharks Board who will confirm the species involved in the attack.

The Shark Spotting Programme Coordinator has also deployed Shark Spotters to the Strand Beach to inform beach users of the incident that took place yesterday evening. Information and warning signs have also been put up at the beach and will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

"It has been more than a year since the last shark attack in Cape Town's waters and although the risk of further shark attacks is low, the City would like to take this opportunity to again remind residents of Cape Town and visitors that White Sharks occur in our waters all year round, and more specifically during the summer months, when White Sharks use the near-shore area to a far greater extent. When using the sea, be vigilant and aware at all times and consider only using beaches where shark spotters are on duty," says Oelofse.

Information on the shark spotting programme can be found at http://www.sharkspotters.org.

Issued by:

Directorate: Communication
City Of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201

Media Queries:
Gregg Oelofse (City of Cape Town)
Cell: 083 940 8143

Craig Lambinon (NSRI)
Cell: 082 380 3800

Yvonne Kamp (Shark Spotters)
Cell: 083 402 8541