Case study of
#00073 Shark tracking apps and real-time tagged-shark and sighting alert networks
Cape Town, South Africa
#00071
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