Shark warning, Southern Cape:

SOUTHERN CAPE Friday 13th April 2012. Shark warning – Southern Cape:Sea users near Knysna, Buffels Bay, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield and Wilderness are asked to exercise caution following reports of increased shark activity in the vicinity of Buffels Bay near Knysna, following the beaching of a Bryde’s Whale carcass.The Municipalities efforts in disposing of the whale has resulted in a chum spill from waste from the carcass. Fishermen and boaters are informing the NSRI of an increase in shark activity around the area.It is normal for sharks to forage on whale carcasses, when there is an opportunity for this at sea. Sharks have thus been attracted to the spill of waste from the carcass during the efforts to remove it.Increased shark activity can be expected along the Southern Cape coastline as a result and the public are urged to be aware of this and to be cautious.While efforts by the Municipality are well underway to remove the carcass by cutting it up and removing it by road, until the site is well cleared this cautionary notice remains in place.An earlier notice, with this regard, on Thursday 12th of April, by the local authorities, remains in force.