Earlier this month we told you about National Geographic shooting a shark documentary in Cape Town – with the support of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. But yesterday Dirk Schmidt, author of “White Sharks”, has called for the immediate issuing of a high shark alert – saying the filming is attracting sharks to Cape Town’s popular beaches.

Schmidt, also a wildlife photographer, says that up to five tons of chum (bait) have been used to attract sharks to the boat. He said the chum slick could then be blown closer to beaches by on-shore winds, resulting in more sharks in the area.

I believe it to be prudent, and as a preventative measure, that a high shark alert is issued and maintained, during, and for several days after, the filming activity. Unusual white shark behaviour and an increased presence and possible shark-human interaction or even attacks cannot be excluded.

But according to Alan Boyd of the department’s ocean and coast branch, who issued the research permit, the chumming would have little effect close to shore, especially as the large amount would be used over a 20-day period all along the southern coast.  He also disputed reports that solid fish was being used, saying the chum was primarily marine mammal oils and scents used to create a “scent path”.

You can visualise it as a big household bucket filled with sardines being thrown into the water every hour or so. It will obviously have a local effect, which we want, but definitely won’t have an effect close to shore.

[Source: News24]