Sightings of white sharks in shallow water at Hartenbos Beach drew much interest in December and this month.

Despite warnings about sharks, some swimmers would not leave the water.

Comments on social media about the beach goers ‘swimming among sharks’ and refusing to leave the water when instructed to, were rife.

Mossel Bay Advertiser contacted a shark expert to find out why the sharks were so close to shore and why there were so many of them over this period.

Dr Matt Dicken, the head of research at the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, says: “In South Africa, Mossel Bay included, during the spring and summer months, white sharks tend to depart from the seal colonies and move to the shore, where they are likely feeding on fish, rays and smaller sharks such as blue rays, sand sharks and bronze whalers.

“White sharks are typically found around seal colonies during the winter months, at the time when seal pups are beginning to enter the water after weaning. Being inexperienced, with limited swimming and diving abilities, pups are targeted by white sharks as they are easier prey than adult seals.”