Shark Wars

There has been yet another shark attack on Reunion Island, with a bodysurfer losing his right leg at the thigh. The attack happened at Etang Sale, a popular surf spot just down the coast from St Leu.

Surfing has been banned in Reunion due the increasing number of sharks that have claimed 5 lives since 2011, including one on a 36-year old surfer Stephane Berhamel on honeymoon this May as well as a vicious attack on 15-year-old swimmer Sarah Roperth in mid July this year.

The attack on Sarah saw local authorities ban surfing on Reunion as well as authorise a 90-shark cull (see our story here) that has been ongoing since the attack. It seems this hasn’t been enough.

The opinions are clearly divided when it comes to the whole fiasco. Some say that the culling is a useless exercise and that nothing has been done of the kind since the mid-60’s. That it’s an unscientific approach, vengeful, and very unenlightened.

The opinions are clearly divided when it comes to the whole fiasco. Some say that the culling is a useless exercise and that nothing has been done of the kind since the mid-60’s. That it’s an unscientific approach, vengeful, and very unenlightened.

Then there are the angry locals and vocal critics of the current status quo who insist that the shark population is out of control and must be decimated at all cost. Kill, kill, kill. Hunt the shark, to hell with the consequences.

This attack follows a recent fatal shark attack in Jeffreys Bay (see our story here), and the nightmare in South Africa is far from over. Two sightings of a very large Great White shark eating fish at Point this weekend (Saturday 26th October) have kept the fear alive and the surfers out of the water.

While some J-Bay locals of this closely-knit surf town are objective and optimistic, stating that there have only been three attacks in three decades in J-Bay, the fact that a monster shark was spotted in the same spot as the recent attack, and the horrific and gruesome stories that emanated and did the rounds after the last attack, of the sharks hungry and unusual devouring behaviour, have no doubt done damage already.

“Of course the locals are spooked,” said local Jeffreys Bay surfer and spear fisherman Paul Van Jaarsveld. “The kids are being warned not to paddle out by the authorities. Apparently there were two separate sightings on Saturday, with a good distance and time between them, but who knows if it was the same shark.”

In Reunion the situation is already dire. Former South African pro surfer and surf shop owner Davey Stolk spoke candidly to us after the tragic attack. “The situation here is such a fuck-up. What Jeffreys Bay experienced with the recent attack is what we have felt, just so much worse, for 2 years now. It has totally affected local economy.

"In St Gilles and Boucon the hotels are empty, the restaurants are empty or shut, surf schools are closed, surf shops are closed and the beaches are empty. Just imagine the scenarios if they were to ban surfing in J-Bay. The local economy would slowly die. That’s exactly what has happened here.”

Yet according to Davey, little is being done about it. “The authorities have not taken responsibility whatsoever. No-one is prepared to take responsibility, and everyone is looking after him or herself, while people are getting killed. No one is doing fuck-all.”

Yet according to Davey, little is being done about it. “The authorities have not taken responsibility whatsoever. No-one is prepared to take responsibility, and everyone is looking after him or herself, while people are getting killed. No one is doing fuck-all.”

The ban on surfing, which is now in place until February next year – straight through the Christmas holidays – might be killing tourism but it is having very little effect on the surfers however.

“If the surfers are prepared to risk their lives with the very real threat of a shark attack, they’re not going to be too worried about the authorities and a little fine,” reckons Davey. “We have had up to 20 guys out at St Leu, which is pretty busy.

“This morning (Sunday, the day after the attack) was obviously a bit quieter, but the guys were surfing. Word has been filtering through that some guys had even started surfing L’Hermitage again (a perfect left and right reef pass north of St Leu and scene of previous attacks) but that would now have stopped. The risk is just too great.”

In Reunion, it’s open season on the shark cull, and the hunt is on (for the story, click here).