PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Plettenberg Bay Shark Spotters are officially back on their feet after the Bitou Municipality confirmed that an agreement with the programme has been concluded, paving the way for the continued operation of the shark spotters along the town's beaches.
The development follows months of uncertainty after the programme's formal operations had been suspended on 1 July pending the signing of a new memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the municipality.
The programme, officially established in November 2022, plays a key role in beach safety by monitoring the water for shark activity and alerting beach users and lifeguards when sharks are sighted.
Agreement concluded
In a media statement issued last week, Bitou Municipality confirmed that the agreement with the Plettenberg Bay Shark Spotters programme was concluded.
"The municipality acknowledges the important role played by Shark Spotters in promoting beach safety," it stated. It also acknowledged that, despite the earlier indications of a possible withdrawal of services, the Shark Spotters continued operating and providing services to beach users.
Council had approved R800 000 in grant-in-aid funding for the programme at a special council meeting on 26 June.
The funding is subject to the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and the municipality's Grant-in-Aid Policy, which stipulate that such funding may be used for qualifying operational expenses, but not employee-related costs, including salaries and wages.
Community support
While the municipal agreement remained unresolved, local businesses and residents stepped in to support the shark-spotting operations. Several businesses sponsored individual days of beach monitoring, while Beacon Island Resort committed funding for two months, amounting to at least R90 000, to help keep the spotters on duty.
Shark Spotters also appealed to residents, businesses and visitors to sponsor a day of shark spotting at R1 500.
The organisation said the contributions help cover salaries, equipment, transport, training, insurance, education, research and other operational costs.
Local swimming school owner and Adopt a Swimmer founder Louise Auersperg was among those who called for the programme to be restored, saying its absence should be viewed with the same seriousness as beaches operating without lifesavers.
Programme continues
Bitou Municipality said it remains committed to the programme's continuation and to working with Shark Spotters within the applicable legislative and institutional framework.
The agreement brings months of uncertainty to an end and should reassure residents, visitors, swimmers and the local tourism sector, as trained spotters continue to monitor Plettenberg Bay's beaches for shark activity.
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