Apparently a sea-going tour operator was filmed in Algoa Bay today chumming for sharks.
Now the fact that said tour operator had a film crew onboard that is connected to an internationally known and veneered television station and that the permit carried by said tour operator does not allow for any such activity is not enough.
The chumming activity ‘apparently’ took place along Hobie Beach – Port Elizabeth’s erstwhile Blue Flag beach and very popular swimming spot that hosts the very popular Ocean Racing Series with masses of swimmers. (There go our chances of getting Blue Flag status for Hobie Beach back!).
Connect the dots here: so called ‘tour operator’ chumms for sharks just off of popular swimming beach, swimmer gets taken by a shark shortly thereafter. I wonder who we can blame for increasing the shark attack risk all along the coastline from Hobie to Kings beach?
Oh and whilst we are at it I have a message for the film crew; “Go and crap in your own cold waters and leave our Indian Ocean alone!”
Of course the information that I received was couched in words such as ‘alleged’, ‘possibly’, ‘not confirmed’ and the like but judging on the sources is more than likely 100% true.
Strangely enough this same ‘tour operator’ was flouting the law almost exactly a year ago and also with a foreign film crew (Bloody Agent, Bloody Bastard) – seems like the criminal deeds don’t change but just get bigger.
Alan Straton
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With Ironman, the Splash Festival and Optimist Sailing Selections also imminent, one wonders why such a “tour operator” would risk his reputation and that of Port Elizabeth – surely greed cannot be so blind?
OK, Let me be the first today, that it’s….well…STUPID!!!. It’s a very public area. We already know that sharks are in the water, no doubt there, but to go out in that area and chum the waters just to get a good shot for the camera is a bit blind…no?
FYI – this mail from the Beach Office:
Beach Office is inundated with complaints regarding a Blue & White Ski Boat chumming off Mandela Bay recreational beaches. The same boat also search towards the back breaker line between Hobie Beach and Kings Beach.
This was confirmed and picked by our CCTV at Beach Office. The boat concerned was Orca.
The Chumming has caused public panic as ocean swimmers are training for the Ironman and Splash open water activities. Further concerns are that Orca’s activity might attract sharks to the recreational beaches. Any attack on bathers could therefore be detrimental city’s image as Watersports destination.It would be appreciated if Port Control and the ABYC could assist in addressing the matter.
Regards
Fernando Cain
Beach Office
This specific operator has be reported to MCM in Cape Town. This is also the same operator that apeared on Carte Blanch for allege bribary to get the Whale watching permit. He has got alot of friends in right place. I think it is time that Carte Blanch do follow up. He needs to be exposed.
An e-mailed set of queries:
Has the municipality opened a docket with the police?
Has an official complaint been laid by any member/s of the public?
If something happens WHO will take responsibility?
The public was, and continues to be, endangered by this ‘chumming’.
The reputation of PE’s beaches and upcoming sport events are now being threatened.
My Husband and children both swam off of Kings Beach yesterday and survived. Whilst I was a little alarmed and nervous after reading your article, I became panicked when 2 little girls paddled out of the water saying that they had spotted, what they thought were SHARK fins. After almost hauling my kids out of the water we noticed that it was a beautiful school of dolphin who had arrived to entertain all who were at Kings Beach yesterday. The natural, untrained show that they put on for all was amazing and an absolute pleasure to watch which even lead to cheers of delight from the spectators on the beach. I simply love our beaches!
If the story is true, I sincerely hope that the guy is brought to book, just like I wish that the wet bikes who were going right up to the dolphins, ruining the ambiance with their dreadful noise and also encroaching on young kids in the demarcated bathing area at Kings Beach were monitored and fined for negligent behavior – but I suppose that we will have to wait for a fatal accident to take place before anything constructive is done.
You are all getting absolutely hysterical – like JAWS is happening all over again. Get a grip you stupid people and stop sensationising it. The shark has a right to be out there. I cannot believe there are such idiots in PE. First for chumming and secondly people running around like there is a mass murderer on the loose. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Stop twittering and fb’ing about it. Get over yourselves you fools.