KZN currently uses 13km of shark nets and 177 drumlines across 37 beaches to enhance bather safety. These measures are designed to catch specific shark species involved in attacks. However, they also result in the unfortunate death of around 400 non-target marine animals, including dolphins and turtles, each year. This significant bycatch highlights the urgent need for more sustainable solutions.

An innovative exhibition, Shark Smart: How Do We Keep Sharks & People Safe?, recently launched at uShaka Marine World in Durban. This exhibition, the first phase of a larger awareness campaign, focuses on non-lethal alternatives for shark risk mitigation. It aims to educate the public and encourage a new approach to shark and bather safety.

Exploring non-lethal shark deterrent technologies

Guests at the exhibition launch were immersed in the history and ecological impact of traditional shark nets and drumlines in KZN. Crucially, the exhibition showcases cutting-edge shark deterrent technologies and solutions being developed globally and locally. These include:

• Sonar systems
• Artificial intelligence (AI) software for shark detection
• Shark Shield personal deterrents
• Multispectral drones for ocean surveillance
• SharkSafe Barrier technology

The exhibition also emphasises personal bather responsibility when entering the ocean, recognising it as the sharks’ natural habitat.

Collaborative efforts for shark conservation and education

Lauren van Nijkerk, Wildtrust’s Director of Campaigns, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the exhibition, ensuring all stakeholders were involved in shaping its message. The exhibition presents both existing and alternative shark risk mitigation methods in engaging and interactive ways, with materials available in both English and isiZulu to ensure broad accessibility.

Maryke Musson, executive manager: conservation education and communications at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), emphasised the aquarium’s unique opportunity to educate visitors about the wonders of the ocean and the importance of marine conservation.

The ecological cost of traditional shark control methods

Despite common misconceptions, the 13km of shark nets and 177 drumlines in KZN are not physical barriers preventing sharks from reaching swimmers. These nets, set 300-500m offshore with gaps, are designed to catch and kill specific shark species deemed a risk. Sharks can and do swim under, around and between them.

Only three shark species are primarily associated with unprovoked incidents in South Africa: The Zambezi (bull) shark, white shark and tiger shark. These are the main targets of the current ‘bather safety gear’. However, the environmental cost is substantial, with over 400 non-target marine animals, including dolphins, rays, turtles and critically endangered sharks, killed as bycatch in these nets annually.

Drumlines, introduced in 2005, aim to be a more targeted form of fishing to reduce bycatch, using baited hooks to specifically target large sharks.

South Africa’s legacy and future in shark and ray conservation

South Africa holds a significant place in shark conservation, being the first country to legally protect the white shark in 1991. Chondrichthyans, which include over 1 250 species of sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras, are ancient and vital to marine ecosystem health.

However, over one-third of all shark and ray species globally are threatened with extinction due to overfishing and habitat loss. These species are particularly vulnerable due to their slow growth, late maturation and low reproductive rates.

Dr Jennifer Olbers, Wildtrust’s senior scientist, emphasised South Africa’s continued opportunity and responsibility to lead in shark and ray conservation, especially given that some species, like the largetooth and green sawfish, are already locally extinct.

Paving the way for coexistence: The future of ocean safety

This exhibition marks the beginning of an awareness campaign dedicated to redefining bather safety through education, innovation and coexistence with marine life, rather than lethal methods. The future of ocean safety must consider both people and the planet.

The Shark Smart exhibition is open to the public at the uShaka Marine World Aquarium, a collaborative effort by Wildtrust, Shark Conservation Fund, SAAMBR, Oceanographic Research Institute), SharkSafe Barrier, Shark Spotters, Justice4Jaws and the Sharks & People Working Group.

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