Stop Lethal Shark Nets and Drumlines

Various beaches along the KwaZulu-Natal coast in South Africa are protected by shark nets and drumlines. They are fishing devices deployed to catch large sharks.

These include the protected, and unfortunately now also threatened, Great White Shark, turtles, dolphins and even whales. They also catch many harmless marine species. In short, the nets and drumlines have a serious impact on our marine life.

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board operates these nets under a permit issued by the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

For many years, various people and groups have tried to have these nets and drumlines removed or replaced by alternative measures where there is a risk of shark attack. Along other parts of the coast, notably in Cape Town, such measures are in place, and most of the 2 600 km coastline of South Africa has no lethal shark nets deployed. However, the KZN shark nets have a very significant impact on our marine life.

There have been awareness campaigns, petitions, public meetings, letters to politicians and even parlia...