The Natal Sharks Board is a service organization that protects beach users in Kwazulu-Natal against shark attacks. It also protects the sharks. It is the only organization of its kind in the world.
The reason Durban in South Africa is one of the preferred holiday destinations on the African continent is that the 100 kms of pristine beaches – the Blue Flag beaches along the coastline - do not just attest to crystal clear- unpolluted water and good ablution facilities – those Blue Flags also mean that the beaches are safe.
The Natal Sharks Board employs about 170 staff members, most of whom put to sea on 15 boats to service the equipment spread at intervals along 320 km of coastline in KwaZulu-Natal, thereby providing protection against shark attack at 38 localities. The nets are serviced about 20 times per month.
Keeping beaches safe
Keeping beaches on the East Coast safe in the natural home of many species of shark, is not an easy task for the Natal Sharks Board. Conservation of sharks and their close relatives, rays is also becoming a global concern, and the Board is very involved in this issue.
Because the Durbanites simply cannot stay out of the water, the local Sharks Board has become experts in its field and is rated among the best, if not the best in the world in Shark protection – well, people protection as well.
Safe beaches in Durban
An analysis of South African shark attack records over the last four decades has shown some interesting patterns. Most importantly, the results confirm that shark attacks are rare events, with an average of only four incidents per year. Of these, less than 30% resulted in serious injury and only 11% were fatal.
The shark nets have almost eliminated shark attacks at KwaZulu-Natal beaches and there have been only two serious attacks at netted beaches in the last 21 years. Both involved surfers who incurred serious injuries when bitten in very clear water by what appeared to be Great White Sharks, Carcharodon carcharias.
The Natal Sharks Board in Durban was formed in 1964 to protect beach users against shark attacks, but it also conducts valuable research. This body is responsible for determining and approving the extent and layout of any scheme of shark control and to keep South Africa's East Coast safe.
On average, 1 440 sharks are captured in the Board's offshore nets annually (35 percent on the inshore side of the nets) and four full-time biologists collect data from the captured animals. Sharks taken alive are measured, tagged and released, while the dead are taken to the Sharks Board's Umhlanga Rocks headquarters for dissection and analysis.
The Natal Sharks Board has vertebrae from more than 2 200 sharks in their collection the biggest in the world and all need to be studied and documented. The Board aims at providing an environment for safe bathing. Although the Natal Sharks Board doesn't have any live exhibits, one can visit their Headquarters in Umhlanga Rocks and attend a shark dissection. Check the website for times.
Viewing live Sharks in South Africa:
In Durban, at the Southern end of the Golden Mile, uShaka Marine World has a dolphinarium and aquaria, which house several sharks, including the spotted ragged-tooth shark, Carcharias taurus (referred to as the Raggie). You can even dine with Sharks as you companions.
The Sharks – is the VERY popular Super 14 and provincial Rugby Team based in Durban.
More Travel Articles:
Diving with Sharks in KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, South Africa's Playground
African Beach Holiday Destinations
Zanzibar, African Spice Island
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