VIPs meet GWS
The Save our Seas Founddation Shark Centre (SOSSC) welcomed Cape Town city officials on the SOSSC white shark research boat for a trip to see the white sharks of False Bay. This was the first time that any of them had been out to Seal Island, let alone seen a white shark. Monwabisi Sikweyiya, a City of Cape Town Shark Spotter, was very excited to join Alison on the boat as it has been a few months since he has last seen white sharks up close - here's Alison's account of the great day they shared...
Seal Island is the best place in the world to view natural predator-prey interactions between the ocean’s super predator and its seal prey. There are specific areas and times when predatory activity is highest. It is very important that boats do not interfere with these predator-prey events and thus as a responsible team we keep as far away from these interactions so that we do not have an impact on the outcome of the event. However, given the dynamics of these interactions it can be tricky making sure that you are not in the wrong place at the wrong time.
After waiting for the sun to rise above the mountains we anchored on the south side of the island, where we were a little exposed to the wind, but where I know from our research that the sharks patrol more actively - which gives us the best opportunity to see as many sharks as we can. This proved to be a good decision as we managed to identify 7 different sharks ranging in size from 3.2 m – 4.0 m. Due to poor water visibility conditions we were not able to sex most of the sharks, but we had two males and one female. One of the sharks I have known since 2005 and she is easily identified by white pigmentation patterns on both sides of her dorsal fin. Unfortunately she had recently sustained a deep cut to the side of her body which was still bleeding and what seems to have been from interactions with a boat’s prop. It is extremely important to carefully work with the sharks around the boat at all times so that they are not physically harmed. It is also of utmost importance to not feed the sharks.
The sharks were quite active around the boat and we were treated with great close-ups as one particular shark liked to swim past the boat and rub itself on the side of the boat’s hull. After a few hours we packed up because the wind started to get stronger and it was becoming uncomfortable out there, but we first stopped to have a look at the Cape fur seals. At this time of year the island is mostly inhabited by adult females and their pups from December/January. They are extremely inquisitive and playful, but prefer to stick very close by the island where they are usually safe from patrolling sharks.
The trip was very bumpy on the way back, but everyone agreed that they had had a fantastic day. Shona later wrote to me and said “Thank you so much for the trip out to Seal Island last week. I have lived in Cape Town all my life and never seen a Great White and it was one of the most incredible experiences that I have had in a very long time.”
Learn more about the SOSF Shark Centre here.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Ayliffe
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"The day started off a little cold and overcast, but the sea was nice and flat. For the first two hours we kept watch for any signs of white sharks preying on the Cape fur seals. There wasn’t a lot of seal activity, but within a few minutes of being at Seal Island, while I was still trying to find my clipboard and get organized, I heard shouts from one of the shark cage diving boats that a seal had taken refuge around our boat as it was being chased by a shark. In these circumstances it is fighting for its life to stay alive and our boat probably provided a safe haven for it while it caught its breath and avoided being breakfast for a hungry shark. After a few seconds around the boat the seal made a run for the island and safely made it back to shore. |
Seal Island is the best place in the world to view natural predator-prey interactions between the ocean’s super predator and its seal prey. There are specific areas and times when predatory activity is highest. It is very important that boats do not interfere with these predator-prey events and thus as a responsible team we keep as far away from these interactions so that we do not have an impact on the outcome of the event. However, given the dynamics of these interactions it can be tricky making sure that you are not in the wrong place at the wrong time.
After waiting for the sun to rise above the mountains we anchored on the south side of the island, where we were a little exposed to the wind, but where I know from our research that the sharks patrol more actively - which gives us the best opportunity to see as many sharks as we can. This proved to be a good decision as we managed to identify 7 different sharks ranging in size from 3.2 m – 4.0 m. Due to poor water visibility conditions we were not able to sex most of the sharks, but we had two males and one female. One of the sharks I have known since 2005 and she is easily identified by white pigmentation patterns on both sides of her dorsal fin. Unfortunately she had recently sustained a deep cut to the side of her body which was still bleeding and what seems to have been from interactions with a boat’s prop. It is extremely important to carefully work with the sharks around the boat at all times so that they are not physically harmed. It is also of utmost importance to not feed the sharks.
The sharks were quite active around the boat and we were treated with great close-ups as one particular shark liked to swim past the boat and rub itself on the side of the boat’s hull. After a few hours we packed up because the wind started to get stronger and it was becoming uncomfortable out there, but we first stopped to have a look at the Cape fur seals. At this time of year the island is mostly inhabited by adult females and their pups from December/January. They are extremely inquisitive and playful, but prefer to stick very close by the island where they are usually safe from patrolling sharks.
The trip was very bumpy on the way back, but everyone agreed that they had had a fantastic day. Shona later wrote to me and said “Thank you so much for the trip out to Seal Island last week. I have lived in Cape Town all my life and never seen a Great White and it was one of the most incredible experiences that I have had in a very long time.”
Learn more about the SOSF Shark Centre here.