Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The saying goes: "a big fish in a small pond", but recently, that big fish was a large great white shark and the pond, the Keurbooms River in Plettenberg Bay.

Shark experts say that this was a very rare occurrence among great whites and could have been due to a myriad of reasons.

The 3,5m marine predator was spotted on 18 May about 300m upstream from the river mouth while local National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) volunteers were conducting a training exercise in the area.

By the time Bruce Noble, one of the founding members of the Plett White Shark Research Project, arrived, the shark had managed to make its way about 800m upriver.

"I initially thought it was a case of mistaken identity as it is very unusual for this type of shark to make its way into a river and that there have been reports of bronze whalers washing up along the shore. When I came closer, there was no doubt that this was in fact a great white," Noble said.

White sharks, like many other marine species, need high salinity in the water to survive. Noble explained that because the tide was pushing and that it was spring high tide, the salinity in the river was high enough.

"The shark did not look like it was in distress and definitely did not appear sick. It seemed very calm and comfortable."

Noble said illness and disorientation could explain sharks landing up in rivers, but this was ruled out. 

"There is a myriad of reasons behind this occurrence. It could have landed up there by mistake, gone after prey or been startled by boats in the area. Another explanation could be exploring."

He said that the shark looked determined to swim further upstream, despite efforts to coax it back to the ocean. It did however manage to turn back and head out to open water again.

Noble said they have monitored the area and all indications are that it made it back to the ocean.

Chief executive of the Oceans Research Project Dr Enrico Gennari agreed that this was a very rare occurrence and said the shark could have been going after a seal or other prey.

Marine scientists of the South African Shark Incident Committee suspect that the shark may have been ill or disorientated.

Plett NSRI station commander Jaco Kruger issued a warning that at this time of year sharks are known to feed inshore along the coastline and increased shark activity has been noticed along the Plettenberg Bay coastline.

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