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Great
White
This
apical predator has rich history of association with ocean users off the coast of Natal.
However, mention the Great White, and immediately one thinks of the cold, seal populated
waters of Cape Town.
Between
1947 the 1975, The North Pier of Durban Harbour was a famous fishing ground for a group of
anglers known as the 1000 Pounder’s club. One became a member of the club by catching
and landing sharks that weighed in excess of 1000 pounds.
Still
today, the record for the largest Great White caught from terra firmer remains in Durban – a giant 1660
pound (753 Kg) Great White, caught on South Pier in 1953, using only a rod, line and hand
pad.
In 1993, a great white was caught in the shark nets off Northern Natal. This was the largest shark ever caught in the shark nets off the Natal coast since they had been laid.
The
shark, a male, was dissected at the Natal Sharks Board. Before the dissection, a fibre
glass mould of the shark was taken and this now is on display at the entrance to the Natal
Sharks Board. The dissection revealed the remains of a Sperm Whale, a Zambezi shark and a
sand shark.
The
shark nets off Natal have for some time been criticised by environmentalists as having a
negative impact on the ecology off the Natal, due to being non-specific in
terms of what is caught.
The
Sharks Board has been involved in an ongoing investigation on an alternative means to
protect the bathers of the Natal coast. Drum Lining is one such method whereby a baited
hook, floated by a drum, is anchored off the back line of the coast.
On
the 8th February 2002, a large female, measuring 4.8m and weighing
1160Kg’s, was caught in Richards Bay using the experimental drum line. Upon
dissection, it was discovered that this shark was pregnant which resulted in widespread
public outcry.
