'No Evidence' Of Poachers Hunting Sharks

October 22, 2007

Release from: Caryn Dolley
The Cape Times (South Africa)

Marine and Coastal Management in the Western Cape says there is no evidence to support radio reports that abalone poachers are illegally killing protected great white sharks to sell their teeth.

But a marine biologist said he had heard second-hand accounts that this is taking place in the Gansbaai area.

The "rumours" began two years ago and resurfaced last month when the carcass of a shark, whose jaw had been hacked out, washed ashore at Gansbaai.

It was reported on a regional radio station last week that poachers in the area were targeting the great whites.

MCM had received information "a few months ago" from members of the public that poachers were going after the sharks, but so far there was "nothing concrete" to prove this, spokesperson Carol Moses said.

"We are monitoring the area with vessels. But we have not witnessed any poaching of this kind," she said.

Kim McLean, of the SA Shark Conservancy, also said there was no evidence the sharks were being targeted. "But we're taking the rumours seriously and looking into it."

The Great White Shark Protection Foundation is concerned and is investigating.

Foundation chair Mariette Hopley said: "We feel strongly about the rumours. The killing of great white sharks is illegal as they're an endangered species. We endeavour to protect them."

Ryan Johnson, a marine biologist, said he believed poachers had moved on to great whites as abalone was becoming increasingly difficult to find.

"About two months ago a friend in Gansbaai spotted a boat chumming with tackle in the water set up to catch sharks... Another friend's son knew someone who was killing the sharks for their teeth."

A tooth could fetch up to R400 and a jaw up to R350 000.