The public getting involved. Disgust on the beach at a sharks board boat.

It could be said there was a time and place for nets. Years ago, when the public knew little about sharks and the fear of shark attack was running high – and shark populations were far healthier than they currently are today.

In 1950, we knew little about sharks and the oceans. And, we had yet to spend the next 50 years ravaging our oceans, doing more damage to them than ever before.  The public wanted and needed “protection” and nets served their purpose.

Since then, while shark fishing has skyrocketed eliminating a large percentage of the world’s shark populations, the public has been exposed to much information about the environment and biodiversity conservation as well as the sharks’ true behaviors towards humans. Shark conservation and the need to protect them is an established fact, as is the fact these animals are significantly misunderstood, with the actual risk of an incident being quite low.

 Throughout the world, South Africa is known for its conservation and green efforts. Tourists flock to see the big five on land – and underwater.  And most South Africans understand the value of live animals – including sharks – to the health of their environment, their country’s economics, and the world’s ecosystems.  Support for the preservation of all species, realizing their critical role as important components in an overall healthy planet, is strong amongst South Africans.  Undoubtedly this translates into the conservation of sharks and many surfers, fisherman, dive operators, environmentalists and concerned citizens are already speaking out against the nets.

In this day and age, with all we know about sharks – including their dwindling numbers, their critical role in our ecosystem, their behavior, and the infinitesimal risk they pose to us, many South Africans support the removal of the nets, and those who are unaware, it is anticipated, once educated so too will choose live sharks over dead ones.  This is an issue that rests in the hands of the public – and they rightfully should be given a chance to make their own educated decisions.