Richards Bay beach closed to bathers

Residents and visitors urged to adhere to 'no bathing' signs at Alkantstrand and Newark Beach

2 hours ago

Tamlyn Cramer 1 minute read

File photo: Two great white sharks were caught on drumlines at Alkantstrand in Richards Bay Photo: Elias Levy/Flickr

There shall be no swimming or other activities at Alkantstrand until further notice after the City of uMhlathuze closed the beach this (Friday) morning.

This is a precautionary measure following the discovery of two great white sharks that were caught on the drumlines in front of the dolphin viewing platform.

According to experts, this is the time of year when great white sharks are more prevalent in KwaZulu-Natal’s waters, possibly ahead of the humpback whales making their return journey – with their calves – down the coast towards the Antarctic where they spend the southern hemisphere summer months.

It is owing to the whale migration season that the shark nets have been lifted at Alkantstrand for some months.

Richards Bay residents and visitors to the area are urged to adhere to the ‘no bathing’ signs that have been erected at Alkantstrand and Newark Beach for the duration of the closure.

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