Paddle out raises awareness
The ocean community united to highlight the need to protect sharks.
TO witness a group of humans joining hands to show their support of marine conservation is always food for the soul.
The South Coast’s first Paddle Out for Sharks and World Oceans’ Day was a successful event which saw paddlers, surfers, divers, fishermen, conservationists and NSRI crew unite at the shark nets off St Mike’s last Sunday.
The aim was to raise ‘on the ground’ awareness of marine conservation and the global plight of sharks and to change public perceptions of sharks.
Boats which departed from Shelly Beach Ski-boat Club were joined by surfers and paddlers at the shark nets at St Mike’s. Flowers were symbolically thrown into the sea, while some boats sported large banners, demonstrating their support for sharks.
Sister events were celebrated at various beaches around the world including Queensland Australia, Cape Town, Gansbaai, Hermanus, Mossel Bay, Knysa, Port Elizabeth, Port Alfred, East London, Port St Johns, Shelly Beach, Aliwal Shoal, Durban and also Ponta de Ouro in Mozambique.
After the paddle out, C Freak Charters, with the help of various sponsors such as SuperSpar Shelly Beach, Michael Frey’s, Manaba Spar and Oribi Hardware, hosted children, teachers and parents from Cornerstone Learning Centre.
Beulah Mauz from African Dive Adventures in Shelly Beach, who spearheads the RSA Save Our Sharks campaign, was the organiser of the event.
“I thought it was great to see people of all ages come out to sea, just enjoy the day and give their voice to the protection of our ocean and shark conservation,” she said.
Beulah said the surfers, bodyboarders and paddlers who came out despite the rather chilly conditions were just amazing. For more photos, visit our gallery.
