The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) will be hosting a series of public consultative meetings on shark attack mitigation measures for the Port St Johns area. The meetings will take place in Durban, East London and Port St Johns as per the details provided below.
South Africa, like many other countries, is investigating several measures in a bid to protect bathers and surfers who continue to fall prey to sharks, particularly at Second Beach, Port St Johns. Shark exclusion nets have had success; however their application is limited to less energetic coastlines and sheltered bays, such as Fish Hoek in the Western Cape.
Furthermore, electrical repellents in the form of shark shield and now shark pod have been developed, and other agencies are working on developing a shark repellent cable. The application involves the creation of an electric field barrier around bathing areas, this technology is still in the testing phase. In addition, several academic institutions are investigating the use of electro-magnetic and visual barriers.
Affected and interested parties, members of community and the media are invited to make their comments on this subject at public meetings to be held as follows:
|
Port St Johns |
Durban |
East London |
|
Date: 12 November 2014 |
Date: 13 November 2014 |
Date: 14 November 2014 |
RSVP:
Sipho Mawoko
Tel: 021 441 2788
E-mail: smawoko@environment.gov.za
Sivuyile Ngaba
Cell: 071 403 5294
Tel: 021 441 2788
E-mail: sngaba@environment.gov.za
For media enquiries:
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
