Gonubie Beach closed as sharks feed on whale carcass

A beach near KuGompo City (formerly East London) has been temporarily closed following reported sightings of sharks.

Per a public safety notice issued by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Gonubie Beach has been closed to the public after sharks were observed feeding off a whale carcass floating offshore near Black Rock.

BEACH CLOSURE: NO REOPENING DATE YET

“For the safety of beachgoers and the public,” the safety notice reads, “swimming and other water activities are prohibited until further notice.”

As such, members of the public are strongly urged to keep out of the water. They are also asked to adhere to all safety instructions issued by lifeguards and local authorities.

No reopening date has been announced as of the time of publishing. However, the municipality stressed that the beach will remain closed until it’s deemed safe to do so.

PRESENCE OF SHARKS

The closure of Gonubie Beach comes nearly a month after a 65-year-old woman was tragically killed in a shark attack at Orient Beach in KuGompo City.

Janine Lochrenberg, a retired nuclear radiographer and musician, had been swimming in open water alongside others when a shark fatally attacked her.

Nearly two weeks after Lochrenberg’s death, a shark was sighted at Nahoon Beach in KuGompo City, prompting a temporary closure of the beach.

TAKE PRECAUTIONS

While shark attacks are rare, taking a few simple precautions can reduce the risk further. Coast KZN recommends that you follow these safety tips:

• Swim in a group, as attacks are often directed towards individuals.
• Swim at beaches with lifeguards and stay within the safe swimming areas.
• Avoid swimming at night, dawn or dusk, as sharks are most active during these times.
• Sharks can smell and taste blood, so avoid swimming if you are bleeding.
• Refrain from swimming at sewage-contaminated beaches, as sewage attracts baitfish, which in turn attracts sharks.
• Obey warnings/requests to leave the water by lifeguards and shark spotters if sharks are seen.