Shark business for blue-themed 21 Club AGM
Many thanks to Geremy who had everyone enthralled from start to the flourishing finish when he displayed the various “jaws” for inspection.
THERE was a great turnout of over 80 for 21 Club’s AGM at the October luncheon.
Members and guests turned out in every conceivable shade of blue and the decor blended perfectly.
Lords and Legends’ lamb roast and trimmings followed by a Garth Special – a scrumptious secret mousse with a topping of blue berries – certainly pleased the palate and, of course, matched the theme.
The existing committee of Gwyn McLeod (president), Lyn Sutherland (vice president), Jenny Perkins (treasurer) and Golda Smyly (secretary) was re-elected.
With reasonable price increases and the consistently high standard of food, as well as its centrality and safety, Lords was unanimously accepted as the venue for 2017.
Guest speaker, Durban-born Geremy Cliff, studied at the University of Natal (BSc Honours) and University of Cape Town (MSc).
After working as a kelp biologist in Cape Town, he returned to Durban where he worked on sharks at the Oceanographic Institute in Durban, before joining the Natal Anti-Shark Measures Board (as it was known in those days) in 1983.
He has been there ever since and currently heads the research division.
He has built up considerable experience in dealing with sharks and shark attacks and has travelled widely to give advice to authorities in other countries like Brazil, Hong Kong, Madagascar, Australia, Seychelles and Reunion.
He married a girl from Toti, Cherylin Borchard, and they have three teenage daughters.
Not surprisingly, his interests include scuba diving, spear fishing, canoeing, body boarding and looking after the environment.
The KZN Sharks Board is world renowned for its significant contribution to safe bathing and shark research. It is the only organisation of its kind in the world. The KZN coastline is the only coastline with 37 beaches equipped with bather safety gear owned and maintained by the KZNl Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence in Africa.
Geremy talked everyone through a fascinating slide presentation. Statistics show that sharks are much maligned in terms of danger to human life – particularly when compared with deaths on the road or even in a single air crash.
Also, South Africa is not on the top of the list when it comes to attacks or fatalities. In fact it is Australia, with its greater coastline.
Shark nets, drumlines and shark repellent cable were all discussed as well as simple look-outs with binoculars as a means to protect bathers.
Geremy wisely included information about shark-fin soup and the preparation and cooking of shark meat, a fine tasting treat. Members were fascinated to hear that South Africa exports shark for eating to Australia.
Many thanks to Geremy who had everyone enthralled from start to the flourishing finish when he displayed the various ‘jaws’ for inspection.
The next meeting is the Christmas luncheon on Wednesday, 23 November at Lords and Legends. Entertainment will be provided by Greg McLeod. The cost is unchanged at R120 but members pay only R105, the balance is sponsored by the club.
Members are reminded that confirmation of intention to attend or not and names of guests must be received by any committee member by Friday, 18 November. Unfortunately, guests can only be accommodated if there is room and they must be invited by a member.
