Human-wildlife conflict regarding shark nets in Richards Bay, South Africa: seeking solutions
Date
2024
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Abstract
In the mid-1900s, shark bites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, impacted bathers and tourism, and the authorities set gillnets to reduce shark numbers. This quintessential human-wildlife conflict was exacerbated by incidental catches of non-target species (bycatch). Sharks are now threatened globally, yet KwaZulu-Natal continues to use lethal bather protection gear (nets and baited hooks) to reduce shark populations. I aimed to map KwaZulu-Natal’s bather-shark conflict, engage stakeholders and work with them in a productive, learning space that bridges research and implementation to improve the conservation status of sharks without compromising bathers. To map the human-wildlife conflict - identify and characterise the social and ecological elements of the system and their interactions - I used various philosophical perspectives and a multifaceted approach. First, I reviewed the ecological impact of KwaZulu-Natal’s lethal gear and found that 88% of the catches were not the three target shark species, many were threatened species and 73% of the animals died. Second, I modelled the numbers of sharks, bycatch and bathers at a high-catch beach to predict temporal overlap between them. The findings yielded trade-offs to consider when striving for a positive impact on biodiversity without impacting the risk to bathers. Third, I characterised the social dimensions of the conflict using interviews, questionnaires and the literature, focussing on stakeholders whose work intersects with the bather-shark conflict. There were multiple stakeholders, varying in influence over decisions and interest in the bather protection programme, but communication flows were limited. Publications about the social and policy context describe the complexity of the conflict but studies of the economic impact are lacking. Fourth, I used a qualitative, constructionist approach to understand these stakeholders’ perspectives of changing the lethal gear. Narratives of the obstacles were mostly centred around governance issues whereas opportunities were about technology, research and education. Finally, I used transdisciplinary learning to engage these stakeholders, leveraged their knowledge of different parts of the bather-shark conflict system and together, we designed a preliminary strategy to support the Sharks Board in moving away from lethal methods. My findings have illuminated multiple perspectives of the bather-shark conflict and exposed the stakeholders to these varied perspectives, improving our shared understanding. This should aid change agents in planning to implement change that would allow both humans and sharks to swim safely in KwaZulu-Natal.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Faculty of Science, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023
Keywords
Shark bites, Human-wildlife, Sharks