Cape Town, South Africa
#00071
Case study of
#00073 Shark tracking apps and real-time tagged-shark and sighting alert networks
Implementer
Shark Spotters (NPO), with the City of Cape Town
Timeline
Since Jan 1, 2004
Location
Description
Shark Spotters has operated since 2004 in Cape Town: trained observers positioned on mountainsides 50–110 m above the sea scan the water and, on spotting a shark, trigger a flag-and-siren warning that clears swimmers and surfers, with real-time alerts posted to social media and apps. The programme has expanded to additional beaches (including Plettenberg Bay) and is paired with a seasonal exclusion barrier — making it a documented non-lethal alternative to shark nets in a high-white-shark-density setting.
Metrics
2Funding
Lessons learned
- Human spotters with elevation plus a flag-and-siren system deliver effective non-lethal warning where coastal topography provides vantage points 50–110 m above sea level — replicators must assess whether suitable terrain exists.
- The model can be extended to additional beaches and paired with a seasonal exclusion barrier, but both expansions require dedicated staffing and infrastructure investment.
Documented Jun 26, 2026