There is a major story gaining momentum in South Africa and abroad: a coalition of over 50 organisations is calling for an end to the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board’s 70-year-old culling programme.

These shark nets and drumlines, among the last large-scale culling systems still operating globally, have already killed at least 1,058 great white sharks since 1978. An independent study values a single white shark at R10.2 million (~£420,000) in ecotourism, meaning the programme has cost South Africa over R10.6 billion (~£440,000,000) in lost revenue.

While shark risk to humans is minimal (7 global fatalities in 2024), the KZN nets indiscriminately kill dolphins, turtles, whales, and critically endangered species every year.

The coalition is demanding immediate, independent trials of non-lethal alternatives already proven internationally to deliver zero bycatch. With global figures like Ocean Ramsey resharing the petition to her 2M+ followers, the campaign is accelerating fast.

We’ve compiled a press kit with supporting visuals, infographics, and a feature article for background, which you can access here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IK5I74ck1NBcXMi52K_vuGpbhHQMApcK?usp=sharing
This is a chance for South Africa to step away from outdated practices and align with modern ocean safety solutions.

“The KZN culling devices don’t just kill sharks, they remove whales, dolphins, and endangered species from our oceans,” said Kim McLean from SharkLady Adventures in Gansbaai. “We have proven, modern solutions that can protect both swimmers and marine life.”

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board’s current system, first introduced in the 1950s, is under increasing scrutiny. While it was once seen as innovative, today it is considered outdated and harmful. Many countries have successfully used non-lethal shark mitigation strategies for decades with zero bycatch.

In a joint statement, The Last Shark Documentary and Earth Legacy Foundation said:
“Research shows that the vast majority of animals caught in shark nets are non-target species. These nets and drumlines continue to indiscriminately kill marine life, including protected, threatened, endangered, and critically endangered species, while failing to provide a reliable barrier against sharks. We must ask why outdated technologies from the 1950s are still in use when effective, modern, non-lethal alternatives are readily available.”

The coalition’s petition, which is addressed to the minister of the DFFE, is open for signatures at: https://www.change.org/KZNSBNetsOutNow.

Organisations are invited to send an email to thelastsharkdoc@gmail.com in order to join the coalition.

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za International/.

CLICK TO PAGE 2 below for South Africa Still Culling Sharks — New Coalition Calls It a Billion-Rand Mistake Submission Details and Boilerplate.

Source: MyPR International