Aliwal Shoal Tiger Shark Killings
Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 11:41PM 
Less than 2 weeks after returning from a trip to photograph my favorite tiger sharks at the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area off South Africa's east coast for a Africa Geographic magazine feature, my friend Mark Addison of Blue Wilderness Dive Expeditions called me with some devastating news. A few days ago a young fishermen who should know better caught and killed three tiger sharks within the MPA and landed them openly in broad daylight. Tiger sharks are a protected species within the Aliwal MPA as they are the main attraction for thousands of tourists who come from across the world to dive the shoal and see these sharks. One dead tiger shark might fetch a once off payment of no more than $50-100 dollars for the fisherman, but alive that same shark might be worth in excess of $10 000 every year in marine eco-tourism. Further investigations revealed the sobering news that a further five tiger sharks were killed the week before. Shark diving tourism at Aliwal shoal is one way to sustainably utilize our ocean resources in a non-consumptive manner and in the process create much needed employment for hundreds of people in the tourism and hospitality industry along this section of South Africa's coast. As this recent incident has demonstrated marine law enforcement at the Aliwal Shoal MPA is practically non-existant at present and poachers are able to operate with impunity from arrest or prosecution. If the sharks of Aliwal shoal are to remain a model of non-consumptive utilization of South Africa's marine wildlife heritage then the government, NGO's and tourism operators must combine forces and act quickly to stamp out these reckless, selfish and destructive acts that could destroy one of the world's true last shark paradises in just a matter of months.
Dartboard, a female tiger shark (pictured above) is bold, inquisitive and playful, the three character traits on every shark photographer's wish list. I last photographed her one year ago and was delighted by the news that after having left the shoal during the winter she was encountered again there just one week ago. Now I wish she had stayed away a bit longer. Being so bold and inquisitive it is likely that she would readily take a baited hook if presented to her. Since no photographs were taken of the caught tiger sharks we will probably never know which individuals were killed. In a perverse twist of fate I have also just been informed that at least one of the dismembered carcasses was purchased by a Aliwal shoal shark dive operator for use as bait to attract tiger sharks for his international diving clients. Granted tiger sharks frequently feed on other sharks, but to me purchasing the meat of an illegally caught tiger shark as bait to attract more tiger sharks for eco-tourism purposes is nothing short of insane. While I also recently learned that a arrest might be imminent I am not holding my breath on that one, but maybe the strong publicity over the weekend has galvanized the authorities to act. I will keep posting on this topic as more information becomes available.
Reader Comments (7)
This report is simply devastating!
It is hard to believe that fishermen would get away committing such horrendous crimes.
The international diving community will learn about this - the people who already know are absolutely appalled.
South Africa has to protect its shark populations fiercely - FIERCELY - and punish the eco-gangsters to the fullest extent of the law. No leniency, no false compassion for them. The authorities should be absolutely firm so as to put off potential poachers.
The country also needs to intensify its endeavors to educate the general public about the vital role sharks play as apex predators in the marine eco-systems and the perils sharks are facing all over the world.
Many shark species are seriously threatened with extinction as they are being hunted down everywhere mainly for their fins.
As Thomas clearly stated, live sharks generate substantial income for the dive tourism industry, dead sharks don't.
It is sad and sickening to hear a story like this one. I can only hope that an arrest will be made and the fisherman will be severely punished.
The fact that an Aliwal shoal shark dive operator has purchased the illegal shark meat is just as appalling. This guy certainly should have known better. How can anybody profit from a criminal act, which will potentially kill his business? He seems to be pretty stupid to say the least.
What kind of people are those?
This story shows that we must do much more to educate the public and ask them to act whenever they see a shark being killed.
Jupp Kerckerinck zur Borg
www.sharkprotect.com
I'm so sorry to hear yet another report of fishermen ignoring regulations to kill sharks. Much more stringent laws must be passed and applied, punishing the slaughterers of threatened species, particularly at sites where they are known to congregate. It seems that no sharks, anywhere, are really protected, when fishermen are allowed the liberties they have.
And unfortunately, since much of the general public has been traditionally influenced to think of sharks (and fish) in the same way as fishermen think of them--that is that they are unfeeling wastables--the phenomenon is hard to fight.
Ila France Porcher
This story is awful! I hope the fishermen will get punished for that crime.
Besides that it shows us that we have to do much more in "Shark-PR" in order to make known to everybody the importance of the sharks for the biological balance of the oceans.
I have spent the last two days talking with many people about this but most importantly Surika Singh from MCM and with Herman Oosthuizen. Sharklife is putting immense pressure on the MCM legal team and local authorities to investigate and prosecute. If this does not happen then our next step is to approach a legal team with a view to bringing a "class action" or a citizens action. We are of the view that the general public cannot put up with continued failure of the authorties to take action after crimes like this are committed. We will do everything within our power to ensure that a successful and swift prosecution ensues.You have my word that I will also do everything I can to make sure that this case is not left to dwindle into the doldrums as seems to happen so readily in Africa. I will keep people up to date on the Shark Group.
Fiona Ayerst
sharklife
Good to have you fighting out there, Fiona!
As much as it is important that the wrong-doer gets prosecuted and punished, no effort should be spared to ensure that this won't happen again.
And why not press for further action? Maybe spearfishing in the Aliwal Shoal MPA should be completely banned, and protecting ALL sharks, including the black tip sharks, should become a priority of the MCM.
I hate people wjo have no idea what they are doing when they destroy sharks. Hell I hate anybody who hunts a shark or hurts one on purpose