Shark Sightings

Shark Spotters are positioned at strategic points along the Cape Peninsula, primarily along the False Bay coastline. A spotter is placed on the mountain with polarised sunglasses and binoculars. This spotter is in radio contact with another spotter on the beach. If a shark is seen the beach spotter sounds a siren and raises a white flag with a black shark. When the siren sounds the water users are requested to leave the water and only return when the appropriate all clear signal is given.

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SPOTTING PROTOCOL

BEACH TIMES SPOTTERS ARE ON DUTY


Muizenberg: Every day, All year. 08h00 – 18h00*
St James: Every day, All year. 08h00 – 18h00*
Fish Hoek: Every day, All year. 07h00 – 18h45**
Noordhoek: Every day, All year. 09h00 – 18h00*
Clovelly Weekend: Holidays (Oct – Apr). 10h00 – 16h00***
Glencairn Weekend: Holidays (Oct – Apr). 08h00 – 18h00***

* During winter to 17h00
** During winter to 08h00 to 18h00
*** Summer only - weekends, public and school holidays

 

A green flag means visibility for the spotters is good, and no sharks have been seen

A black flag means visibility for the spotters is poor, but no sharks have been seen

A red flag means a shark has been seen recently, but is no longer visible to the spotters

A white flag with a black shark, along with a loud siren, means a shark has been sighted, and bathers should leave the water immediately

Important notice: No flag means that shark spotters are not on duty

 

Shark Bite Response Unit

In the event of a shark bite, trained personnel will visit the site to collect information on sea conditions, shark behaviour, collect victim where possible and eyewitness statements. The research boat will be launched where appropriate.

 

 

Map

Flags