AIRJAWS Blog

Tamsyn's first great white shark trip

2010-02-22T09:37:00.000+02:00

I was so excited when Rob and Karen asked me to join them on their first trip of the season to Seal Island. The closest I have ever come to seeing a Great White Shark is looking at the photos that Rob and other guests had taken on previous trips. The idea of a “flying” shark still seems surreal to me. Because it is still early in the intermediate season I knew that there was a possibility that I might not get to see a shark on our trip, but I had high hopes. Nevertheless it was a successful trip and we managed to see 4 sharks that day!

The run out to Seal Island was nice as the swell wasn’t too bad. We circled around Seal Island for a short while before we dropped anchor. It took me a while to get used to the horrible smell of the guano and the unusual mixture of sounds the seals made. The sound was a combination of bleating sheep, barking dogs and crying babies.

About an hour after we arrived we were all sitting waiting at the stern of the boat when Rob shouted that a shark had taken his bait line. My heart started pounding with excitement and I was going frantic trying to catch a glimpse of the shark, which I never did get to see in the end. Rob said it was only a small one of about 2m. I was a bit upset that I never saw it and I just hoped that I would at least get to see one shark before we headed inland.

After that I thought I would try my luck up top on the viewing deck. Another 20 minutes or so later, as if out of nowhere, this monster shark of about 4m swam up next to the boat. In a mixture of excitement and fear I shouted “Shark!” The shark swam past the stern of the boat and then turned around and came back to inspect the bait, but it didn’t stay very long. It did come back again and this time stayed for much longer.

A female shark of about 3m also came to inspect the decoy seal we had thrown in the water. Rob and Wellington recognized this shark from the previous season. She also didn’t stay too long and seemed more interested in the dead seal that was floating just off the island. The shark tossed the seal carcass gently up in the air a few times before taking at in its mouth.

On the way back to the harbour a navy boat came to warn us that they were going to start their shooting exercises in the water and escorted us back inland.

It was definitely an unforgettable experience and one I would do again in a heart-beat!

Today's great white trip to seal island

2010-02-18T11:45:00.000+02:00

We took a trip to seal island today. I haven't been on a shark trip in a while and when Rob said he was going, I was keen to come along. We also took Tamsyn, our new assistant with us as well as our 4 year old Jordan. I promised her that when she was 4 she could come and see the sharks.

The day started out with a very light wind and a bit of a cloudy sky. The swell wasn't bad at all and the run out to the island was very pleasant. We spotted penguins and a Giant Petrel.

Jordan was so thrilled to discover that seals bleat like lambs. The island is very full at the moment, and the constant cacophony of bleating was overcome by the horrible stench of the island of guano.

We waited around for an hour before the first shark appeared. Tamsyn shouted shark, shark, shark in this voice of amazement and awe. If you have never seen a shark up close and personal the effect on a person is awesome. The shark was a female, and just under 4m. It approached from the bow and lazily moved around the the stern( which is around 4 and a bit metres to give you a picture of how big 4m is).and went to inspect the bait that Wellington was handling.

It wasn't interested in the bait and then turned around and cruised into the depths. A few minutes later Rob shouted shark again and it had taken the second bait that we have below. We didnt get to see much, except a shadow as it swam away. A dead seal was floating by and another shark decided to have it for a snack. It first played with it like a cat plays with a mouse, tossing it into the air a good few times, rather gently I might add.

Another shark around 3m came to inspect the decoy, again just lightly mouthing it before moving to the bait. It was more interested in the tapping noise I was making on the side of the boat. This tapping we have found very effective as the great white is a rather curious animal. The female came again and stayed for a good while. Rob and Wellington had seen her in 2009 shark season. You can see the white band on her dorsal fin identifying her as her "fingerprint".

We returned around 12 as the navy had issued a warning that they where about to do a shooting excercise and we didnt feel like being a target for their practice. We where escorted by one of their boats back to make sure we where returning to the harbour.

Getting ready for shark season!

2010-02-12T10:46:00.000+02:00

So, we took the boat out onto the hard for an expection . The propeller needed replacing. Great, that was not good news. Then we noticed a crack in the engine mounting. Yippee, more bad news. And to top it off we had to replace the gear box.
Well, it all has to get done. That's just life when you run a boat commercially, but it doesn't sit easy on the wallet!

Today has gone to upgrade his skipper's ticket. It has been a long time since he has been asked to write a test, and he has been practising his knot techniques, many which had been forgotten. Its glad to see an old dog can still learn new tricks...ha ha...he will kill me for calling him and old dog. Thank heavens I can run fast!!

Killing sharks to view great white sharks?

2010-02-08T14:16:00.000+02:00

Killing sharks to view great white sharks?

African Shark Eco-Charters is an environmentally sensitive company. Although we make our living taking people to see sharks, our aim is to operate our operation with as little impact as possible on the great white sharks (and marine life).We do not believe in using any shark livers or part of the shark thereof to attract great white sharks.

Most livers are usually taken form Sevengill sharks, which are now fished commercially. Many shark viewing companies do use shark livers as attractants. From an ecotourism perspective this is completely wrong.Sharks are vulnerable to overexploitation and extinction. 100 million sharks are killed each year.Already 90% of the world's large shark populations already wiped out, sharks are being depleted faster than they can reproduce. This threatens the stability of marine ecosystems around the world. Sharks are vitally important apex predators. They have shaped marine life in the oceans for over 400 million years and are essential to the health of the planet.

Watching the sun rise over False Bay

2010-02-05T07:05:00.000+02:00

I have just come back from the beach. I arrived there at 05.45. The light had begun to filter through and already the old folks were swimming ( that never fails to amaze me). Within 10 minutes other walkers and joggers arrived.
After my walk I decided not to head to the gym but do another lap of the catwalk. As I was about to leave I saw the sun peaking over the mountains. I sat down on the beach watch the sun rise over the calm sea of False Bay. It was breath taking.

Its good to be alive!

Gonna check out my beauties with the Shark spotters

2010-02-04T20:42:00.002+02:00

Woke up this early this morning and was at the beach before 6.I felt so good no, blessed, no super blessed to alive, and living in the "deep south" of Cape town. I walked for about 20 min greeting all the old ducks that swim every morning and then headed to the gym to cycle those extra snacks away.

Went home feeling on top of the world, singing and praising and I knew that I would have a great day.

We are spending the morning with the shark spotters tomorrow, bring your sunglasses and water, and lets wait for the great white beauties,to wink at us....

Our very colourful president

2010-02-03T19:06:00.000+02:00

Here is a very good article. Nothing in SA now could ever suprise me!
Zuma and his love child

More shark predation pics

2010-02-01T11:45:00.003+02:00

Here is a predation. It ended in a successful kill for the great white shark.

Here is some info on anti-predatory strategies of Cape Fur Seals at Seal Island.

From direct observation and the data collected, Cape Fur Seals apparently reduce their vulnerability to Great White Sharks by:
• taking advantage of the expanded vigilance of entire groups; sub-surface vigilance while rafting is accomplished via assuming a head-down posture, with only the tail and the tip of the rear flippers showing above the surface.

• leaving Seal Island as co-ordinated groups of 8 to 12 animals; multiple groups – ranging from 2 to as many as 5 - leave the island at intervals of approximately 45 seconds

• single or small groups (2-5) of individuals executing a finely controlled zig-zaging evasive manoeuver when a Great White Shark is spotted stalking below them; this tactic is referred to as “working the shark”

• when an individual is actively pursued by a Great White Shark, riding its slipstream – usually mid-body, at the level of its dorsal fin – to remain out of reach of the shark’s jaws; this tactic is referred to as “on the shark”

• when a group is “hit” (attacked) by a White Shark, the individual seals ‘explode’ from the water in all directions, presumably serving to confuse the predator – perhaps sufficiently to allow some or all of them to escape; this tactic is relatively infrequent but highly spectacular

• when an individual or group returns to the island, swimming the last 50 metes or so underwater, presumably because this tactic reduces vulnerability to attack by White Sharks

• when any or all of the aforementioned tactics fail and a predatory attack is successful, the surviving seals become extremely vigilant - often to the point of seeming momentarily stunned - but are, in fact, hyper-alert.

In short, the Cape Fur Seals’ main anti-predatory strategies rely on vigilance and agility

Early morning shark predation pic

2010-02-01T11:26:00.001+02:00

Just going through some of our great white shark pics to add to the website.

Here is a typical early morning scene, where a great white shark has made a succerssful predation on a cape fur seal. The gulls are hovering waiting their turn for their scraps.

This weeks AIRJAWS shark news and blues

2010-01-29T21:17:00.000+02:00

Rob and I have been really busy this week. We open our new white shark bookings office on Monday, and have been working on getting the old office repainted and looking spiffy for the hand over with the landlord. Rob has also had his hands full looking for a new marina for us, sorting out expired skippers licenses and running around getting quotes for the transfer bus that some idiot drove into and didn't bother to stop!

Rob went to a Shark Working Group meeting on the 25th. The aim was to discuss the fatal great white shark attack in Fish Hoek on the 12 January, the events around the attack and possible improvements and suggestions and comment regarding the shark attack in Cape Town.
To sum up the meeting it was pretty much what the media release contained!

Since the death of my mom on New Years day, my energy levels have been really low and I have been struggling to cope with meetings, kids play dates, being a mom and trying to run a business.Our new bookings assistant starts on Monday, which will free me up to focus on updating our website and a hopefully give me a bit of a break. This sadly wont happen right away as with all new staff, training, training and more training is needed.

The bookings for "AIRJAWS" great white shark breaching trips have been great this week and we are working at sewing up 2 film shoots over peak season.

Rob is out watching Rugby with the boys. Good for him, as he wont get to see his buddies much when shark season comes! It has also given me a chance to curled up with a glass of wine and a great book.The kids are asleep and all is well in the Lawrence home........back to that book!

African Shark's week end news

2010-01-18T11:32:00.002+02:00

Just busy sorting our new pics for the newsletter.
I haven't written a newsletter for ages. Not sure why, maybe its because I receive so many newsletters that I simply hit the delete button, and so I cant really see the point of sending out one myself only to have someone like me delete, delete, delete.

Our transfer side of the business seems to be taking off. Its still really early days. Wellington has been doing quiet a few Eastern Cape trips over the Christmas period. This "taxi" side has certainly been an eye opener for me. Not only have we ferried passengers we have also carried 2 couches and a 2 coffins so far for funeral trips. These trips are called "special" trips. Its quiet involved with having to sort out death certificates etc to have the correct papers to transport a coffin.

Got a phone call yesterday saying Wellington had a fender bender. Great stuff! Just waiting now to see the extent of the damage.

All quiet on the home front regarding the shark attack last week. Perhaps the devastation in Haiti has kept the media from focusing more on this incident.

We went to the beach yesterday with the kids. Its amazing how much fun kids can have just running in and out of the surf. Adam received a red swimming cap for Christmas and so he has to take it to the beach with him. He looks so darn funny in his little spider man costume and a swimming cap.

We are thinking of perhaps moving. Now that we have another staff member working from my office at home space is of a premium.
We had a look at some homes in Noordhoek yesterday. They were totally overpriced and really not great at all. We would still have to spend a fortune converting them to our needs.

Going to add some holiday pics to facebook now!

Great White Shark Attack in Fish hoek- The Media Release

2010-01-16T13:10:00.001+02:00

Following the tragic fatal shark attack on Mr Lloyd Skinner on Tuesday 12^th January 2010 at Fish Hoek beach, the City of Cape Town undertook an intensive review of the events leading up to and following the attack.

The purpose of the review is threefold:

1) To ascertain the correct facts so that these may be provided to the media and public so as to end ongoing speculation and incorrect perceptions;

2) To review the events as they unfolded to assess the effectiveness of the emergency response to this traumatic event; and

3) To identify any areas or aspects that may reduce the risk of similar events occurring in the future.

In addition it is hoped that by making these facts available to the public, the ongoing speculation in the media, which must be difficult for the victims’ family, will come to an end.

Through a process of eye-witness interviews, collaboration of information from specialists and collation of highly credible information, the following has been concluded:

Mr Lloyd Skinner was attacked by a Great White Shark at 15:31 on Tuesday 12^th January 2010 at Fish Hoek beach. At the time of the attack Mr Skinner was swimming (and not standing as previously reported) in a direction parallel to the beach. At the time of the attack there were approximately 12-15 other bathers in the water. Mr Skinner was significantly further out (in deeper water) than the other bathers and was some distance away from the other bathers. We have been able to ascertain that a large school of fish was in the close vicinity to Mr Skinner and we are of the opinion that this school of fish is an important factor in drawing the shark into the area.

The shark attacked Mr Skinner from the sea-ward side in a very aggressive manner, demonstrating a predatory response. It approached from the deeper water underneath Mr Skinner and was only visible on the surface as it attacked the victim. This is consistent with natural predatory behaviour of Great White sharks in that they approach the victim without being seen. Following the initial strike, the shark made a further five to six passes of the area, after which it moved off in the direction of Kalk Bay.

Facts of relevance:

The victim was swimming at the time of the attack and not standing as had been previously reported.
The victim was swimming some distance further out than any of the other bathers.
The victim was some distance from the other 12-15 bathers in the water at the time.
A large school of fish was in the direct vicinity of the victim (it is likely that the shark was following the school of fish).

On reviewing the Shark Spotting Programme the following was determined:

· Two Shark Spotters were on duty: one at the mountain lookout and a second in the beach hut on Fish Hoek beach

· At the time of the attack, the Shark Spotting supervisor (Mr Monwabisi Sikweyiya) was present in the beach hut completing daily log forms.

· Conditions for shark spotting at the time of the attack were not ideal. This is confirmed by the high wind speed (69km/h form a SSE direction), resulting in choppy conditions and intermittent cloud cover. Water colour at the time of the attack was considered fair. At the time of the attack the Shark Spotters Black Flag was being flown indicating to beach users these limitations in spotting ability.

· The Shark Siren as well as the radios were in working order.

In reviewing the Shark Spotting Programme the following must be noted:

· Fish Hoek Bay is a large area and the mountain Shark Spotter is required to survey the entire bay and does not focus only on the Jaggers Walk area.

· It is unreasonable to expect 100% concentration from the spotters at all times. Shark Spotters are expected to scan the entire bay area repeatedly at regular intervals.

In the review the Shark Spotters acknowledged that they did not see the shark or the initial attack take place.

It is noted that:

· The spotting conditions were not ideal and were limited by significant wind induced chop as well as intermittent cloud cover and the associated shadows cast on the water.

· The shark attack was sudden and explosive. All indications are that the shark emerged from deep water where it was not visible and attacked the victim within seconds once it was on the surface.

· All eye-witness accounts from elevated positions indicate that the shark was not visible prior to the attack.

However, the review notes that the water quality was such that, had the Shark Spotter on duty been looking at the specific area where the attack took place at the moment that the shark surfaced, the shark would not have been visible to the spotter. However, this review is of the very strong opinion that had the spotter seen the shark prior to the attack, there would not have been any time to warn the bathers before the shark attacked the victim. The shark emerged from deeper water in a predatory mode and attacked the victim within seconds. The review is of the firm position that, had the spotter seen the shark, the fatal attack would not have been avoided.

Emergency Response

The attack took place in a matter of seconds and lasted approximately 3 minutes. Following the attack, the lifesavers actively cleared the remaining swimmers from the water, contacted the Shark Spotters at the Shark Spotting Hut to ascertain what the situation was and notified the National Search and Rescue Institute (NSRI) and Emergency Services. The Shark Flag was raised at the lifesaving club. Within 20 minutes Mr Ian Kloppers of the NSRI and EMT Emergency Services were on the beach and took control of all rescue operations. Two NSRI boats as well as the rubber duck from the lifesaving club were launched to search for the victim while a helicopter arrived on scene to conduct an aerial search. The search for the victim continued until 7pm at which point it was terminated due to poor conditions. The search provided no recovery of the victim or any sightings of the shark.

Officials from the City, NSRI, Western Province Lifesaving, Shark Spotters and Save Our Seas Shark Centre all convened at the site within 30 minutes of the attack and worked in a co-ordinated fashion to collect eyewitness statements, gather all relevant information and disseminate accurate information to the public and media.

Shark Information

Shark sightings recorded by the Shark Spotters over the last five years are included below for further information. In addition it must be noted that shark warning media alerts were issued by the City of Cape Town and the NSRI throughout the summer. More specifically, warnings about a spike in the number of white shark sightings in the inshore area of False Bay were provided through the NSRI on Sunday the 10^th January and via the City’s Festive Season Alerts on the morning of Tuesday the 12^th January. These warnings explicitly indicated to the public that there was a high incidence of white shark sightings in the inshore area and that beach users should be particularly vigilant and cautious.

Permanent shark signs are present at Fish Hoek beach, including:

a) An indication of the natural presence of these predators in the waters of Cape Town;

b) The Shark Spotting Flag and Warning System.

Review Findings

Based on this review the following conclusions are drawn:

Shark Spotters were on duty, the black flag was being flown indicating poor spotting conditions, the lifesaving club was on duty, and warnings of increased presence of white sharks had been provided on Sunday 10^thJanuary as well as on the morning of Tuesday 12^thJanuary. The victim was swimming relatively far out and well away from the other bathers in the proximity of a large school of fish.

It is the position of this review that, within reasonable means, the fatal and tragic shark attack could not have been avoided.

Recommendations

The Shark Spotting Programme remains an effective early warning system for the presence of Great White sharks at recreational beaches. The Shark Spotting Programme has, from the outset, never been considered a 100% effective safety strategy and acknowledges in the “Finding a Balance Report” of 2006 that limitations to the effectiveness include human error, visibility challenges and external conditions (wind, cloud, chop). Since its inception, Shark Spotters have recorded over 570 shark sightings and effectively cleared the beach, reducing the risk of shark attacks at beaches where they are operational. The Shark Spotting Programme must continue to be supported.
The City should increase the size and visibility of shark information signage along its coastline.
The City should consider mobile/temporary signage that could be erected on the beach and complement media alerts during times of high Great White shark presence.
The Shark Siren must be able to be sounded from the Lifesavers’ Tower. This must be rectified immediately.
The Shark Spotting Programme should invest further in emergency training of its staff regarding dealing with shark attacks. Practise / mock attacks should be conducted in conjunction with the NSRI and Western Province Lifesaving
The City must, through its formal relationship with white shark researchers from the Save Our Seas Foundation and the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, remain abreast of possible development of new technologies that would increase the level of safety across our coastline.
This is the second fatal attack in almost the exact location (Ms Webb was fatally attacked in November 2004 in the same area). It is recommended that the City install permanent signage in the area between the Galley Restaurant and Jaggers Walk and along Jaggers Walk indicating that it is unsafe for bathing due to shark presence and encouraging bathers to use the area closer to the lifesaving club for swimming.
The City should recommend to its communities (especially surfers and kayakers) that they have the choice to use personal shark shields. Scientifically reviewed tests conducted by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board have shown these to be effective in deterring Great White sharks, although they are not guaranteed to be 100% effective.
The data from the receivers located on the ocean floor in Fish Hoek must be downloaded by Save Our Sea researchers to assess whether the shark involved in the attack can be identified from a tag.

The City once again extends its condolences to the family and friends of Mr Lloyd Skinner on this tragic event

Finally, it is imperative that it is clearly stated and understood by all that Great White Sharks are naturally occurring species in our waters. Although rare, sharks and shark attacks remain a part of our landscape, despite our best efforts.

Great White Shark Attack in Fish hoek

2010-01-13T20:38:00.000+02:00

We waited until today to publish this post as we wanted to get all the info first.

We got the sad news about 30 min after the shark attack in Fish Hoek, and the phone kept ringing non stop there after.

Yesterdays weather was miserable. It was very windy, the sea was a mess and there had been shark warnings issued that morning. At about 3pm a 37-year-old Zimbabwean man Lloyd Skinner, was neck deep in the water when he was attacked.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the police and members of the public, armed with binoculars, have been searching for Skinner's body since the attack. So far only his swimming goggles have been found.
Our friend Ian Kloppers, who heads up the medical rescue for the NSRI, said the shark attacked Lloyd, bit him and turned around and came back again. This is not usual for a great white to do this, normally it is a case of mistaken identity, one bite and that is it, but it isnt unheard of that a great white shark will totally consume a human, as in the case of Fish Hoek resident Tyna Webb, 77, was killed by a shark near Sunny Cove in November 2004.

What is most interesting is that despite the media trying to hype things up, the public perception towards the great white shark has changed enormously, and we salute this change!
Almost everyone is saying that we are entering the ocean, which is the sharks territory and you take a risk at being attacked by a shark or stung by blue bottles, etc.( UNLIKE the Australian governement who is wanting to saw off shark's heads and use shot guns on sharks!).
This is very different to 2004 when the media was screaming for shark nets, people wanted to bait chickens with glass and feed it to the sharks and everyone wanted to blame anything and everyone including us!

Its true, we do need to be careful when entering the ocean. The sharks move inshore in summer, and the tourists and numbers of people entering the sea, increases dramatically over the festive season. You are more likely going to get hurt or killed getting to the beach than by a shark.

Our thoughts are with Lloyds family and friends right now. Its a horrible thing to happen.

Respect the sea. Respect the animals in the sea and lets be kind this year and respect each other.

Australia goes Gung Ho on Great White Sharks

2010-01-11T19:51:00.003+02:00

I don't like to openly criticise other countries. We deal with so many international guests that we prefer to just keep our opinion to ourselves, unlike a lot of sharky related blog sites.

But man oh man, I just cannot understand the Australia's media and some of those who share the following articles mentality. We are in 2010, yet they live in the dark ages when in comes to Great White Sharks. come, on everyone, bring your pitch forks and torches and lets kill some sharks.

ROGUE sharks that attack beachgoers this summer will be hunted down, shot in the head and sawed apart until their spines are severed. OKAY, JUST HOW ARE THEY GOING TO FIND THESE " ROGUE" SHARKS. Do these great whites carry placards on their dorsal fin saying Hi, I have just killed someone swimming in my territory.
Just read the rest of the rubbish below.
The Sunday Times can today reveal the graphic methods put in place by the WA Government's Shark Hazard Committee for dealing with man-eaters.
In a candid interview, WA Department of Fisheries strategic compliance manager and shark committee member Tina Thorne said a rogue shark that attacked a swimmer would be slaughtered if it continued to pose a significant threat to beachgoers and if it could be positively identified as the offending shark.
But the kill order would only be given in "extreme circumstances" as a last resort where there was an immediate danger to the public.
Ms Thorne said fisheries officers would first use a baited drumline and put "attractant" in the water to try to hook the shark. And if you hook the WRONG shark, what then? or are you just gonna kill it, and then say oops.

Then the creature would be hauled aboard a boat where officers would "have to use a large firearm to dispatch the animal". sounds a bit like the KKK
"That is not an easy task, as sharks have very small brains," she said.
Once shot through the head, fisheries personnel would take a final step to ensure the creature was dead by "severing the spinal cord and bleeding it out".
"Even if you hook it, you can't just fly over in a chopper and shoot it because of refraction (of the bullets) in the water," Ms Thorne said.
While the shoot-to-kill methods are operational procedures put in place by the Shark Hazard Committee, Ms Thorne stressed great whites - the species responsible for most fatal attacks - were protected and a special exemption from the law was required by Fisheries Minister Norman Moore to kill one. Dont you just love it. She says she STRESSES that GWS are protected
"It's not something we would take lightly," Ms Thorne said, after a spate of shark sightings and beach closures across Perth this week.
Trying to catch a large shark was extremely dangerous, she said, and in most cases the creatures disappeared into the depths after an attack. WELL, WHERE ELSE MUST IT GO, IT IS THE OCEAN AFTER ALL.
Ms Thorne said in three of the past four fatal attacks in WA the shark responsible was never spotted.
Only after the fatal attack in 2008 on 51-year-old Port Kennedy man Brian Guest did the shark linger.
In that case, there was no immediate danger to other beachgoers, so authorities tried to tag the animal.
The statements about killing sharks angered the family of Mr Guest.
A friend of the family told The Sunday Times Mr Guest's widow Charmaine and son Daniel stuck by their comments that sharks belonged in the marine environment and should not be harmed.
Ms Thorne agreed, saying "they live in the ocean and we don't".
Six people have been killed by sharks in WA in the past 20 years.

Should sharks that kill be shot? Leave a comment below.

To cook or not to cook, that is the question?

2010-01-11T19:13:00.002+02:00

How can anyone utterly and truly STUFF UP rice?

I just can't seem to get it right. The same goes for pasta. I follow the instructions clearly written on the packet and yet 8 out of 10 times it goes horribly wrong.
Tonight it was rice. Yesterday I made a nice stir fry with Brown rice, which turned out nicely, Tonight Rob was cooking. All I had to do was the rice. I chose nice fragrant white rice (which I bought for Christmas dinner and amazingly was great, I might add.). So I suppose that was my 2/10, and the rest will be a mess.

Rob, poor chap isn't feeling so great and being dished up rice that looked more like Pap did not make him feel any better.

The bookings for shark trips are coming in nicely. I have found a PA to assist us and so that is a huge weight of my shoulders. She did some work shadow training for her practical experience for a diploma in Tourism and so it was great to have someone we know apply for the job.

Well I better go and clean up some wee. The potty training isnt going so well.

PA-Booking Agent for Tourism Company in Simons town.

2010-01-06T13:38:00.001+02:00

Must have related experience or diploma in travel and tourism.

Bookings and reservations, arranging transfers, hotel accommodation.

Direct dealing with guests.

Till point controller / cash ups/banking/emails and admin.

Marketing to guest houses and tour operators.

Must be confident, outgoing ,willing to work week-ends and standby. Preferably live in area.

Email CV to airjaws@mweb.co.za

PA-Booking Agent for Tourism Company in Simons town.

2010-01-06T13:32:00.003+02:00

Must have related experience or diploma in travel and tourism.
• Bookings and reservations, arranging transfers, hotel accommodation.
• Direct dealing with guests.
• Till point controller / cash ups/banking/emails and admin.
• Marketing to guest houses and tour operators.
Must be confident, outgoing ,willing to work week-ends and standby. Preferably live in area.
Email CV to airjaws@mweb.co.za

The great white that didnt get away

2009-12-14T17:36:00.003+02:00

Wow, its our 7th anniversary today!!

I cannot believe how time flies.

We met almost 10 yrs ago. Rob was trying to get his fledgling business going, and so he spent his nights working as a barman to help bring some extra cash in.
I had come home to Cape Town, after spending a few years at University in Johannesburg, and had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I had paid for my studies waitressing, and so I decided to once again do that until I knew which direction I was going in.

So, at Peddlars on the Bend, barman met waitress and the story unfolds from there.

We got married Dec 14th 2002 in Franschoek. I wanted something very different and Rob, being a typical bloke, didnt care how he got married, and so we had a medieval wedding.
Averyone was dressed up, we had knights, knaves, merry men, ladies in waiting and even an executioner. It was such fun, and was more of a party than a wedding.

Great White sharks have christmas too!

2009-12-13T09:13:00.001+02:00

Our son, Adam, who is 2 yrs old, has taken to walking around the house with his Christmas bag. He is very possessive of his toys in it and has even spent the last three nights sleeping with this bag.
I opened the bag yesterday and discovered a great white shark finger puppet, a big great white teddy, an orca, and a dolphin, and his sisters baby doll.

Funny kid!

Adam on the shark cage

2009-12-07T15:19:00.000+02:00

Here is a pic of Adam chilling on top of the shark cage.

Shark Cage diving with Rob Lawrence

2009-12-07T14:52:00.000+02:00

Rob Lawrence, my husband, is the founder of African Shark Eco-Charters. He has been working in the industry since 1992, he is highly experienced and knowledgeable in the behavior of the great white shark.

Driven by his passion for these misunderstood animals, he has spent his life’s work educating, informing and empowering individuals the world over by sharing with them on the habits and behavior patterns of these apex predators, now endangered and needing our protection. They have been put on the C.I.T.E.S – Appendix 2.endangered species list.

The same knowledge and passion is passed onto myself, Karen and to our crew members who work with him. They, together with Rob , have, over the years worked closely with film production companies, such as Animal Planet, BBC Wild life, National Geographic, Discover Channel etc. creating worldwide awareness.

Many life’s have been touched and attitudes changed by individuals participating in this exceptional eco-experience.

Because of the nature of the experience, with natural predation as one of their prime selling points, this has in turn attracted the true shark enthusiasts as well as researches, photographers, nature lovers, eco-enthusiasts to False Bay, to experience tin his uniqueness.

Join us on one of our trips to experience the beauty of the Great White Shark.

Shark Cage diving in Cape Town

2009-11-27T10:26:00.000+02:00

High tourist season is almost upon us, and one of the key highlights for many, is going shark cage diving.

During this time of the year we offer Blue and Mako shark trips instead as its the great white shark sightings dwindle here at this time of the year.

Although this is low season for shark activity in South Africa, "Shark Alley" in Gansbaai still produces activity that is worth viewing.

Gansbaai is a fishing village situated on the Whale coast 2.5 hrs from Cape Town. It is known for its dense population of Great White Sharks and as a good whale-watching location.

Great White Shark cage diving at Gansbaai is done in a narrow channel called Shark Alley, which is the open stretch of water between Dyer Island and nearby Geyser Island.

Shark Cage Diving Costs and Information

Cost: Price per Head:

R1, 350.00 pp - Shark Cage Diving or viewing.
R900.00 for Children under 12 Years Old

Transfers: Optional: Return transfers from designated pickup points in Cape Town R300.00 pp

Duration: Approx 3-4 hours

How many passengers on the boat? 20

How many divers in the cage? 5

Do they offer scuba? No, Breath-hold and surface viewing only. All diving equipment is supplied.

Do they use shark liver to attract sharks? No

Is a DVD available of the trip? Yes

Launch times are 8.30-09.00 However, these times are a guideline and it is advised you contact the operator at 15:00pm the day before the proposed launch to confirm times and weather conditions.

We guarantee that any Great White Shark Cage Diving trips booked through us are completely eco-friendly. Great white sharks are wild animals and sightings can never be guaranteed.

A trip to Seal Island False Bay

2009-11-26T05:26:00.000+02:00

It was such a gorgeous day yesterday, that we decided to take an improptu trip out in False Bay. We headed off to

Seal Island. The Island was very full, and there where plenty of Bull seals and a lot of mating going on. We also spotted a few dead seal pups in the water.

We then did a little tour hugging the coast and returned back to Simon stown. It was very nice to be out on the water.

No Great White sharks, so we wallowed like hippo's

2009-11-25T19:13:00.001+02:00

Rob and I went away for the week end with some friends to " The Baths" in Citrusdal. It was great fun.
Before we left I had to make sure that all the guests I had booked on shark diving trip in Gansbaai for the week- end were sorted out, as we did not have proper cell phone contact and I didnt want any problems.

We wallowed like hippo's in the hot water. The temp was 41'c at the source, but it felt as if the warm water was hotter than that.

We had such great fun, just lazing around the camp site, going for the occassional swim, and during the night, whilst my dad baby sat the sleeping kids, we went to the jaccuzi baths. We couldnt stay in for more than about 15 minutes due to the intense heat of the water. Rob actually became very dizzy and had to sit out for half of the time.

We arrived home to a howling South Easter wind. What a suprise!

Beer advert should have had a great white shark

2009-11-18T15:31:00.000+02:00

This is a Great Beer Advert. Pity it didnt have a great white shark