PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plett Shark Spotters has launched an urgent drive to raise funds to continue its operations to make swimming at Plett beaches safer.
The spotters, deployed on five beaches in Plett last year after two fatal shark bite incidents within three months, have had a positive impact on beach safety since then.
Following the creation of the Shark Action Group in October last year, a partnership was formed between the PSAG and Plett Shark Spotters.
But now, Plett Shark Spotters is facing a challenge to raise funds to operate efficiently.
Initial funding has come from an interest-free loan from Cape Town Shark Spotters, which allowed it to launch its operations.
They also received a generous donation from Sanlam and a grant-in-aid from the Bitou Municipality - and help from many individuals.
Toby Rogers, research manager and field operations manager of Shark Spotters, spelled out the financial situation of Plett Shark Spotters at the Plett Ocean Festival on Sunday 2 July.
Its annual budget is set at over R1,2m and over 60% of this is for salaries.
Rogers said the monthly operating costs are R160 000 in winter and R200 000 in summer.
"We need to raise this funds urgently to continue our operations during winter, the time of peak white shark activity and highest risk of shark encounter," said Rogers. "Please invest in Plett by supporting Shark Spotters."
Nicky Namntu, a Plett local and manager of Plett Shark Spotters, said between November 2022 and June this year the spotters have logged over 10 000 hours on duty.
They are deployed on five of Plett's busiest beaches - Lookout, the Wedge, Central, Robberg 1 and the Wreck.
Since its creation the spotters have had 27 white shark and over 180 bronze whale sharks sightings.
Namntu said having spotters created "blue jobs".
"This has changed lives and taken us from a situation where you are scared of sharks to having more understanding," said Namntu.
Photo: Unsplash
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
