The Plight of Great White Sharks in South African Waters: A Tale of Killer Whales and Climate Change

South African waters have long been known as a haven for marine wildlife, with the great white shark holding a special place in the hearts of nature enthusiasts and divers. However, recent developments have left conservationists and researchers deeply concerned. The presence of two killer whales, known as Port and Starboard, along with the looming threat of climate change, has resulted in the dwindling population of great white sharks. This not only has far-reaching ecological consequences but also impacts tourism in the area.

The Reign of Port and Starboard

Port and Starboard, two highly intelligent and formidable killer whales, have gained notoriety for their predation on great white sharks. These apex predators possess an extraordinary ability to target and feed on the livers of these sharks, leaving their carcasses to sink to the ocean floor. This alarming phenomenon has significantly impacted the already vulnerable great white shark population in South African waters. Researchers are still unraveling the reasons behind the killer whales' targeting of great whites, but their presence has disrupted the natural balance and led to a decline in shark numbers.

The Role of Climate Change

Climate change is another factor that is likely influencing the movements of killer whales and subsequently impacting great white sharks. The warming of oceans alters the distribution and abundance of prey species, causing ripple effects throughout the marine food chain. As global temperatures rise, it is hypothesized that the migration patterns of killer whales may be affected. This could result in a shift in their hunting grounds, including areas where great whites reside, exacerbating the pressure on the already struggling shark population.

The Ripple Effect on Tourism and Local Economy

The decline in great white shark numbers has had a profound impact on tourism in South Africa, particularly in regions like Gansbaai and False Bay, which are renowned for their shark cage diving experiences. Tourists flock to these areas with hopes of encountering these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. However, the scarcity of great whites has left many visitors disappointed and local businesses struggling. The decline in tourism revenue not only affects operators and boat charters but also has a cascading effect on the entire local economy.

Ecological Consequences

The absence of great white sharks in South African waters has broader ecological implications. These sharks play a crucial role as top predators, regulating the marine ecosystem by controlling the populations of prey species. With their declining numbers, there may be a cascading effect on the abundance and behavior of other marine species, disrupting the delicate balance of the ecosystem. The loss of great whites could lead to an unchecked increase in certain prey species, impacting the overall health and diversity of the marine environment.

Conservation Efforts and the Way Forward

Addressing the challenges faced by great white sharks in South African waters requires collaborative efforts from scientists, conservation organizations, and policymakers. Research into the behavior and movements of killer whales is vital to understand their impact on great white sharks and develop strategies to mitigate this predation. Additionally, studying the potential effects of climate change on the distribution of killer whales can help predict future shifts in their habitat.

To protect the marine ecosystem, it is crucial to establish marine protected areas that safeguard key habitats and ensure the long-term survival of great white sharks. Community awareness and education initiatives can also play a significant role in promoting sustainable practices and fostering respect for these magnificent creatures.

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The declining population of great white sharks in South African waters due to the presence of killer whales and the specter of climate change poses a significant challenge for conservationists and the local economy alike. Efforts must be intensified to address these issues, preserve the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem, and protect these iconic apex predators for future generations. Only through collective action can we secure the future of great white sharks and maintain the allure of South Africa's marine wonders.

Diving "White Death"

HANGING OUT WITH GREAT WHITE SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Sharks have always fascinated me and none more so than the infamous great white. Since first watching David Attenborough’s Wildlife on One, I’d envisioned one day experiencing a close up encounter with the most notorious of beasts that lurk the deep blue. Feared by most who step foot into the water, great white sharks have unjustifiably earned themselves a bad reputation through exaggerated media stories and, most notably, the blockbuster film Jaws. 

The great white shark is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN red list, however, estimations made by leading shark biologists state there are fewer than 3,500 individuals, making them more vulnerable to extinction than the tiger. Some sources claim that their population is growing while others argue it is declining. In light of this, I felt it was high time I realised my dream of coming face-to-face with the sharks before it might be too late.

It was during my spell in South Africa that the time had come to bring my long awaited meeting with Carcharodon carcharias to fruition. I had been travelling along the picturesque Garden Route and chose to spend a few days in Hermanus, a quaint little town situated on a mountainous bay and one of the world’s hotspots for whale watching. Between May and September, southern right whales annually migrate from the Antarctic to give birth to their young in the warmer waters of South Africa’s coastline. The town is also situated about a 40-minute drive away from one of the most famous great white shark hotspots in the world, Gansbaai.

I entrusted White Shark Ecoventures to ensure that there would be no chance of disappointment. After a quick breakfast and an induction informing us on all of the safety regulations, we set off out to sea. My initial excitement quickly turned to apprehension as the realisation set in that I would soon be plunging into the water with a one-and-a-half-tonne fish that some call “White Death”. I began to play out disastrous scenarios in my head, asking myself questions such as “What if the cage detaches itself from the boat and we sink toward the seabed?”, and “What if the shark breaks through the cage and gobbles me up?”

Before I knew it, we had arrived at Shark Alley and the boat engines came to a halt. A pair of tuna heads coupled with a bucket full of chum were tossed into the surrounding water and then the wait began. Around half an hour of gazing into the grey/blue void had passed before a large silhouette emerged from the depths of the murky sea. I suspiciously squinted my eyes to block out the glare reflecting off the shimmering surface, and then I was certain. “Shark! shark!”, I excitedly called to the boat captain as the ten-foot-long adolescent male menacingly glided closer toward the starboard side of the boat. Without a moment’s hesitation, we were instructed to put on our snorkels and climb down into the steel cage. Still nervous about all of the potentially catastrophic situations that had been running through my mind, I cautiously lowered myself into the only thing that would separate me from the three sharks that were already circling the boat. Strangely, all of my worries filtered away and were replaced with serenity the moment I entered the water. There was something so tranquil about being alone with my thoughts beneath the ocean swell.

As the first shark gradually appeared from out of the shadows, I remember feeling completely at peace, entirely without fear as the apex predator gracefully edged closer. As he quietly swam by, I couldn’t help but stare intensely into his almost extraterrestrial jet black eyes. Though virtually impossible to distinguish exactly where a great white is directing its gaze, somehow I knew that he was looking at me, sussing me out.

Soon after, two more sharks began to encircle the boat and I found myself surrounded from all angles. I never felt threatened, not once. Sharing a few moments in the cold South African winter waters with the great whites helped me to understand that they had absolutely no interest in causing me any harm, despite a few heavy bumps against the cage. Each shark was only interested in the bait that had lured them into our vicinity in the first place.

It was only when the sharks surged for the glum looking tuna heads that I was reminded of the immense power and killer instinct that great whites possess. With the ability to accelerate from a leisurely swim to incredible speeds in the blink of an eye, each shark would dart toward the bait with eyes rolled back and jaws wide open. On a few occasions, some of the sharks would actually breach, thrashing their streamlined bodies around as they cleared the water surface entirely.

After spending around an hour in complete euphoria in the water, it was finally time to call it a day and we reluctantly headed back to the harbour. I spent the next few days totally in awe of the brief encounter I’d had with one of the greatest forces of nature to inhabit our planet.

Shark populations have been decimated over the past 100 years due to overfishing, trophy hunting, culling and finning. There are some that firmly believe that these atrocities are beneficial to mankind and that due to unprovoked attacks on humans, we would be better off in a world without them. I’d argue that stepping out of our natural environment and into theirs is to provoke a naturally curious animal and that as apex predators, sharks are undoubtedly essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems that we and many other species depend on. Furthermore, attacks on humans are extremely rare and are often a consequence of mistaken identity.

Since that significant day I spent in Shark Alley, thoughts have stirred in my mind about what it would be like to live in a world without great white sharks and how many more species would soon follow them into extinction. As custodians of our beautiful planet, I believe that it is our moral obligation to ensure that this very real possibility does not become a tragic reality.

(The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Sharks

In this edition of (The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, we take a plunge into the deep blue!

Between 700,000 and one million species are thought to live in the reefs, rivers, seas and oceans of this world – many of which remain relatively unknown. That cannot be said of the next group of fantastic beasts we dive into this week - the sharks!

From much-feared apex predators like the Tiger and Great White Sharks to gentle giants such as the Basking and Whale Sharks, below we learn some interesting facts about the Chondrichthyes and where to find them.

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Great White Shark

Let’s begin with the most famous shark of them all - the Great White Shark. When it comes to estimating populations of marine life, things can get quite tricky with the last global census in 2010 stating that only 3,500 Great Whites remained. However, in February 2018 researchers claimed that at least 8,000 Carcharodon carcharias were present in the waters off Australia, meaning the global population is likely far greater than initially thought. In comparison with other widely distributed species, the Great White appears to be fairly uncommon. They can be found from the surfline to far offshore and have also been known to swim to depths of over 250 meters deep. For the best chances of spotting Great White Sharks, head to Gaansbai in South Africa where you have the opportunity to cage dive with one of the most awesome creatures that ever lived.

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Basking Shark

One of the largest of all extant Chondrichthyes (surpassed only by the massive whale shark), the Basking Shark is a gentle giant that feeds mostly on plankton. They inhabit all oceans of the world, but tend to prefer the cold and temperate waters that lie above the continental shelves. However, through use of GPS tracking devices, researchers recently discovered the species dwelling in warmers waters far south of the equator. Like many animals, their location depends largely on food availability. The southern and southwestern coasts of the Isle of Man in the United Kingdom provide one of the best opportunities to see Basking Sharks close inshore.

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Great Hammerhead Shark

One of the most distinguishable of all sharks for their distinctive head shape, Great Hammerhead Sharks are the largest of the 9 different species of hammerhead. A migratory and nomadic species, they are widely distributed but largely restricted to continental shelves. The Great Hammerhead is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List as they are highly valued for their fins and suffer very high bycatch mortality. The fact that these magnificent predators only reproduce once every two years make them highly vulnerable to over-exploitation and population depletion. Exceptional sightings of Great Hammerhead Sharks can be found in Bimini in the Bahamas, especially between January and March each year where they patrol the shallow sandy shores around the tropical Caribbean island.

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Tiger Shark

Also known as the “sea tiger”, the Tiger Shark is so named for its dark vertical stripes along its body. With the largest ever recorded at a whopping 25 feet, they are considered the fourth largest shark species behind the whale shark, basking shark, and great white shark. The omnivorous Tiger Shark is quite common in tropical and warm-temperate coastal water worldwide. Though not considered to be facing a high risk of extinction, there is evidence to suggest declines of several populations where they have been heavily fished for their fins, flesh, skin, liver oil and cartilage. Despite their bad reputation, Tiger Sharks are a rather docile species. Tiger Beach in the Bahamas is widely considered the world’s best location to dive with Tiger Sharks. For the best chances of spotting them, head there in early April.

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Whale Shark

The Whale Shark’s body dimensions give it the title of world’s largest fish and therefore, also the biggest shark. In fact, they share part of their name with cetaceans for their enormous size - sometimes growing up to 40 feet in length! In addition to their impressive stature, the Whale Shark is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the family with light spots on its ventral surface forming unique contrasting patterns against their largely blue-grey coloration. Like the basking shark, these gentle giants feed mainly on plankton, but occasionally consume small animals including jellyfishes, squids and crabs. They tend to prefer coastal areas, but inhabit both deep and shallow water with temperatures between 20-30 degrees Celsius. Many places in the world offer the chance to see and even swim with Whale Sharks with the best places to do so usually depending on the time of year. Those destinations where Whale Sharks can be seen over the course of longer periods are South Ari Atoll in the Maldives and Donsol Bay in the Philippines.

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Bull Shark

Also known the Zambezi Shark, this short and sturdy predator is so named for its brawny body shape and perhaps also due to its hostile nature. Their short, blunt snout and tendency to head-butt their prey before attacking also add to the likeness. One of the most aggressive of all shark species, the Bull Shark has evolved to live in both saltwater and freshwater and is commonly spotted in the Mississippi River in the United States and Ganges River in India. While not currently considered to be vulnerable to extinction, their numbers are likely shrinking due to overfishing for their meat, hides and oils. The “Pitbull of the sea” can be difficult to locate, but they’re regularly spotted by scuba divers in the deep reefs of the Caribbean waters situated off Mexico’s Yucatan coast.

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Blacktip Reef Shark

For the fainter-hearted, the timid and skittish Blacktip Reef Sharks are easily identified for the striking black tips on their fins. Inhabiting the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, they are among the most abundant sharks found off the coasts of Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Another species that has been known to enter freshwater environments, Blacktip Reef Sharks mostly prefer shallow, inshore waters where they feed upon small fishes, squids and crustaceans. There are many small scuba and snorkeling tour operators located in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines that offer the chance to get up close to these beautiful predators.

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Blue Shark

Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful of all sharks, the magnificently streamlined Blue Shark are so-named for their striking cobalt blue colour. A common and widely distributed species, the Blue Shark can be found off the coasts of every continent except Antarctica. Observations are made mostly by divers in temperate seas, where the Blue Shark has even been known to approach the shore. While in tropical waters, however, they tend to stick to greater depths. The IUCN currently has the species listed as near threatened, but their numbers are likely dwindling due to the species being a popular choice for shark fin soup. For excellent chances of spotting these sleek and nimble sharks, head to Simonstown, South Africa where scuba and snorkeling tours are offered between November and June.

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Greenland Shark

With a lifespan of 300-500 years old (you read that correctly), the Greenland Shark is widely considered to be the oldest extant vertebrate in the world. Also known as the gurry shark or grey shark, they mainly inhabit the icy waters off the coast of Greenland where they feed upon smaller sharks, skates, eels and bony fish. Scientists have also found the remains of polar bear, seals, horses and moose in their stomachs. The mysterious and elusive Greenland Shark has the slowest swim speed for its size across all fish species with an average speed of 0.76 mph. Sightings of these 21ft long members of the sleeper shark family are extremely rare, but you may be lucky enough to spot one in the waters surrounding Greenland, or areas in the North Atlantic close to Iceland.

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Common Thresher Shark

The shark with arguably the most interesting hunting technique of all, the Common Thresher Shark will literally whip their prey into submission. Using their long, whip-like tails, they stun (and later kill) victims such as herring, sardines and mackerel by slapping them. Though they prefer cooler temperatures, the Common Thresher Shark is also distributed worldwide across tropical and temperate waters. They have been observed both in the open ocean and close to shore and are documented as a migratory species. Unfortunately, like most sharks, they are often victims of bycatch and are fished heavily for their fins. Some of the best places to dive with Common Thresher Sharks include Alor Island and Bali , both in Indonesia.

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Greenland Shark / Photo: Justin / Graphic Design: Leigh Woods

All other photos: Shutterstock / Graphic Design: Leigh Woods