CAPRICORN BEACH, CAPE TOWN – Earlier this afternoon [Sunday, 07 October 2012] a 30 metre Southern Right Whale carcass has been spotted offshore near Capricorn beach in Cape Town.
The whale carcass is approximately 3 kilometres pass Sunrise Circle after Capricorn beach and can been seen from Baden Powell Drive.
The disaster response teams of the City of Cape Town are on the scene; however surf conditions are not favourable to recover the carcass; and as a result of the fast approaching sunset.
It has been established that the whale has been bitten several times by great white sharks; and the bay is covered in a lot of blood; and pieces of blubber are afloat at sea.
As a result the City has raised red flags along the False Bay beaches as a precaution, due to the increase of fish activity in the bay that has the potential of attracting white sharks to the area.
The City has given an order to close off the shoreline between Muizenberg and Monwabisi beaches to the general public as a precautionary measure.
The Shark Spotters are constantly monitoring any sightings of sharks along the False Bay coastline.
The City is appealing to all water users to be vigilant at this time, obey the shark siren, and to take note of the Shark Spotters’ flags and signage for regular updates on shark sightings.
The rapid response teams of City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre and Environmental Resource Department; together with the Department of Environmental Affairs [Oceans & Coast Branch] will attempt to recover the carcass at first daylight [Monday, 08 October 2012).
Beach users are advised that the general caution will remain in place until further notice.
End
Issued by: Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town
Source: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects and Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town
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