New barrier system to replace shark nets along KZN coastline
The rollout of the new system is set to be completed before Marine Protected Areas Day on August 1.
According to the conservation body, evidence shows that the legacy system contributes to 'high mortality rates among both target and non-target species'.
The magnetic barrier system incorporates a cable which emits a low-frequency electromagnetic field, that disrupts a shark's sensory system, specifically their 'electroreceptors, causing the shark to turn away' including white sharks, a marine species most impacted by the shark nets and drumlines.
Also read: Durban exhibition celebrates turtle conservation
According to the KZNSB the proven deterrent technology will work in conjunction with a shark monitoring programme which includes AI-powered aerial drones and trained field monitors.
'The aim is not only to ensure public safety but also to better align our operations with South Africa's strong conservation values. In tandem with the new deployment, the board will begin the removal of shark nets and drumlines that have traditionally been installed at 37 beaches,' the KZNSB said in a statement.
Jacob Ramsammy, lead scientist of the KZN Sharks Board, said the new system aims to reduce shark and bycatch fatalities to zero.
'This not only reflects the national ethos of marine conservation but also brings marine safety practices in line with modern terrestrial wildlife conservation standards. We believe that this transition is a necessary and responsible evolution of our approach to coastal safety. As stewards of both public safety and marine biodiversity, we are proud to lead the way in adopting technologies that protect people without harming the environment,' he said.
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