Press Release: South African Coalition Calls for End to Shark Culling in KZN

Shark Nets Under Fire: Conservationists Push for Zero-Bycatch Alternatives

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – A rapidly growing coalition of over 60 organisations spanning the entire eastern and southern coastline has launched a public campaign to end the use of shark culling nets and drumlines along the KZN coastline.

“The KZN shark culling devices don’t just kill sharks, they remove whales, dolphins, and endangered species from our oceans,” said Kim McLean from SharkLady Adventures in Gansbaai. “We have proven, modern solutions that can protect both swimmers and marine life.”

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board’s shark culling system, first introduced in the 1950s, is under increasing scrutiny. While it was once seen as innovative, today it is considered outdated and harmful. Many countries have successfully used non-lethal shark mitigation strategies for decades with zero bycatch.

In a joint statement, The Last Shark Documentary and Earth Legacy Foundation said:
“Research shows that the vast majority of animals caught in shark nets are non-target species. These nets and drumlines continue to indiscriminately kill marine life, including protected, threatened, endangered, and critically endangered species, while failing to provide a reliable barrier against sharks. We must ask why outdated technologies from the 1950s are still in use when effective, modern, non-lethal alternatives are readily available.”

The coalition’s petition, which is addressed to the minister of the DFFE, is open for signatures at: www.change.org/KZNSBNetsOutNow.

Organisations are invited to send an email to esther@earthlegacyfoundation.org in order to join the coalition.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Esther Jacobs
Earth Legacy Foundation
esther@earthlegacyfoundation.org
+27 74 837 2671

Shark Culling Campaign Press Kit

Article for Public Distribution

South Africa’s Coastal Communities Unite Against 70 Years of Wildlife Slaughter

A growing coalition of conservationists, scientists, and coastal community leaders is calling for an end to the shark culling practices in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). These outdated shark nets and drumlines, first installed in the 1950s, are being criticised as both ecologically destructive and economically short-sighted.

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board once led the world in bather safety innovations, but campaigners argue that the organisation has fallen behind. Many countries have long since adopted modern, non-lethal methods that protect swimmers without harming marine life. These solutions have been successfully deployed for decades with zero bycatch.

“These culling devices don’t just kill sharks — they remove whales, dolphins, and critically endangered species from our oceans,” says Kim McLean from SharkLady Adventures in Gansbaai. “The economic losses are staggering when you consider the value of a single great white shark in ecotourism. We are losing irreplaceable marine assets to outdated culling systems, and every season of inaction pushes our industry closer to collapse.”

White sharks form the centre of ecotourism operations in several towns spread along the South African coastline. Towns like Gansbaai in the Western Cape flourished on the capital generated from international tourists wanting to experience the iconic species up close. An independent report calculates the ecotourism value of a single white shark at R10.2 million. Between 1978 and 2022 alone, the KZN Shark Board’s culling programme has eliminated at least 1058 white sharks. That amounts to roughly R10.6 billion in damages. While the KZN Sharks Board claim that the culling is necessary for protecting beach tourism, the coalition members are saying that the culling is destroying their ecotourism industry.

An independent report calculates the ecotourism value of a single white shark at R10.2 million. Between 1978 and 2022 alone, the KZN Shark Board’s culling programme has eliminated at least 1058 white sharks. That amounts to roughly R10.6 billion in damages.
Source: Valuation Report: South Africa White Sharks – Shark Allies

“Sharks pose a near-negligible risk to humans. The economic damage to our industry, caused by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, is threatening our entire industry,” said Kim McLean from SharkLady Adventures in Gansbaai.

The coalition, which includes over 60 organisations representing Gansbaai, Hermanus, Mossel Bay, Simons Town, Plettenberg Bay, the KZN North Coast, the KZN South Coast, and worldwide, is calling for immediate and independent scientific oversight of non-lethal trials at five KZN beaches. They believe this could pave the way for South Africa to join global leaders in humane ocean management.

Statistics highlight the disparity in public perception: in 2024, over 230,000 people drowned globally, while just 7 were killed by sharks. By contrast, the KZN shark nets kill hundreds of marine animals every year, many of them harmless or endangered.

With mounting support from environmental groups and the public, the movement is gaining momentum. International influencers like Ocean Ramsey recently reshared the petition to her over 1 million followers. Over 60 organisations have pledged their public support so far.

The coalition’s petition, which is addressed to the minister of the DFFE, is open for signatures at: www.change.org/KZNSBNetsOutNow.

Organisations are invited to send an email to esther@earthlegacyfoundation.org in order to join the coalition.

Media Quotes & Headlines Pack

Headline Options

• South African Coastal Communities Unite to End Shark Culling in KwaZulu-Natal
• Call to Modernise Bather Safety as KZN’s Outdated Shark Nets Face Scrutiny
• From Wild Coast to KZN: A New Wave of Ocean Activism
• Coalition Demands End to 70-Year Shark Culling Practice in South Africa
• Shark Nets Under Fire: Conservationists Push for Zero-Bycatch Alternatives
• South Africa’s Coastal Communities Unite Against 70 Years of Wildlife Slaughter

Pull Quotes

• “The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board were global leaders in bather safety in the 1950s to 1970s — today, they’re trailing behind the rest of the world.”
• “Modern solutions exist with zero bycatch. Many have been used internationally for decades with proven success.”
• “Continuing with large-scale culling is not only driving iconic species toward extinction — it’s damaging South Africa’s coastal tourism economies.”
• “These culling devices don’t just kill sharks — they remove whales, dolphins, and endangered species from our oceans.”
• “When you calculate the economic value of a single great white shark in ecotourism, the losses caused by KZN’s culling systems are staggering.”
• “We’re calling for an independent scientific committee to oversee non-lethal trials at five beaches — the technology is ready, the time is now.”
• “We invite any organisation that supports the end of indiscriminate marine culling to stand with us.”

Key Stats

• 230,000 people drowned globally in 2024.
• 7 people were killed worldwide by sharks in the same year.
• 23,000 people died from dog attacks.
• Bycatch from KZN’s culling includes: dolphins, turtles, whales, harmless sharks, and critically endangered species.
• Only two regions in the world still operate large-scale shark culling systems — KZN is one of them.
• White shark estimated value: R10.2 million.
• 72 murders daily in South Africa  – All-Time global white shark fatalities = 59

Petition Link

https://change.org/KZNSBNetsOutNow

Images and Videos

Google Drive link