IN a decision heartedly endorsed by environmentalists, the City of uMhlathuze council last week agreed to changes to the shark net deployment at Richards Bay’s beaches.
In essence, additional drumlines will be installed in place of some of the shark net meshing at Alkantstrand and Newark beaches, at the request of the KZN Sharks Board (KZNSB).
It was reported the matter had been left unattended to for a long period as email correspondence had been sent to a person no longer in the employ of the municipality.
Exco learned that in the first quarter of 2017, three Humpback dolphins and one Bottlenose dolphin had been snared in the shark nets. (Another Humpback dolphin was subsequently snared this month.)
Since the Humpbacks are endangered, with low population numbers, any such capture was deemed by the Sharks Board, who initiated the proposed changes, to be ‘critical in terms of the survival of the species in the region’.
The KZNSB also noted its obligation ‘to protect bathers from sharks in an environmentally sensitive manner’.
Risk decreased
Shark nets were first installed at Richards Bay in June 1980, with five double (214m) nets at Alkantstrand and one triple (324m) net at Newark beach.
In 2005, the net at Alkantstrand closest to the breakwater (and dolphin viewing platform) was reduced from a double to a single (107m) net, and three drumlines (‘floating hooks’) were installed.
At the same time, the triple net at Newark beach was reduced to a double net.
KZNSB’s new recommendation to the city was that the single net at Alkantstrand be removed and replaced with two drumlines.
This will result in a cluster of five drumlines and four double nets on the main beach side.
In addition, the double net at Newark Beach – which in 10 years has only caught five sharks – will be replaced by a single net and two drumlines.
‘This is definitely a step in the right direction,’ said marine biologist Shanan Atkins, head of the team researching dolphin, shark and bather interaction at Richards Bay.
‘Reduction of the net closest to the breakwater significantly decreased the annual average of dolphin deaths
‘With the new configuration, the risk to dolphins will probably be decreased while the risk to bathers remains unchanged.
‘We are so pleased that the KZNSB and the municipality are paying attention to our research and share our values that the endangered Humpback dolphins need protection.’
ALSO READ: Plea for removal of shark nets gain huge support
Double payment?
The same Exco item also spoke on substantial increase to the ratepayer in terms of the annual fees charged by the KZNSB for the maintenance of the shark nets.
According to the new service level agreement, the monthly fee, as of 31 July 2017, has been escalated to R200 980.32, totalling R2 411 763.84 per annum.
However, confusion exists as to whether in fact the KZNSB services are being paid for by the provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
Clarity has been requested with regard to ‘double payment’ and possible refunds.
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