Championship bodyboarder David Lilienfeld was attacked and killed by a great white shark last Thursday at Kogel Bay

In the wake of the tragic death of 20-year old Capetonian bodyboarder, David Lillienfeld last Thursday, the City of Cape Town has agreed to implement a shark spotting programme at Kogel Bay, where the young man lost his life.

2oceansVibe reported on the incident last week, as well as the report and review issued by the City in response earlier this week, not to mention the heartwrenching scenes at Camps Bay  just two days ago when hundreds of surfers and well wishers gathered to pay respects to their fallen friend.

In their review of the incident, the city exonerated the documentary team studying the local shark population that has attracted controversy in recent weeks, but conceded that the shark spotting programme would need expansion to include the “caves” area where Lillienfeld was attacked, noting that the area was well frequented by roving great whites.

This morning, City Environmental Policy head, Gregg Oelofse, told reporters that the city had decided to expand the shark spotting programme to include Kogel Bay, and that they were in the process of determining the logistics.

These were heartwrenching scenes at Camps Bay on Monday as hundreds gathered to pay their respects to Lillienfeld

“We will try to implement the programme as soon as possible. There is also the process of identifying and training shark spotters,” Oelofse told the Cape Times.

There is much support for expanding the programme, particularly from local surfing clubs and associations, and especially now in the wake of Lillienfeld’s tragic death. There are currently shark spotters at work at six Cape beaches, at an annual cost of around R1 million a year. The funding for this is sourced through the City and via donations.

[Source: IBTimes, News 24, NSRI]