South Africa: Shark spotters have an eye for a tooth
Sitting at the top of Boyes Drive with binoculars in hand is the best job imaginable for Aghmat Jacobs, one of three shark spotters scanning Muizenberg for Great Whites every day, whatever the weather.
Working in five-hour shifts, Jacobs, founder of the shark-spotting service, Patrick Davids and ex-lifeguard Monwabisi Sikweyiya are equipped with a map, special ultra-violet sunglasses, windbreakers and a remote control for a siren on Muizenberg beach to alert bathers to a shark threat.
Jacobs volunteered while unemployed and has since been appointed on a permanent basis. Davids used to be a carguard well-known to surfers for keeping their cars and car keys safe while they were in the water. Sikweyiya had been a Clifton lifeguard.
Since December 2, Jacobs has personally sighted sharks around Muizenberg five times.
"It's mostly the same four sharks - Dopey, Speedy, Charlize and the big one, Nosey, a five-metre long Great White," he said.
"When we spot them close to the beach we alert (Muizenberg surf shop) Surf Shack, who contact the National Sea Rescue Institute to chase the sharks back to the deep sea with their rubber duck," added Jacobs.
Working in five-hour shifts, Jacobs, founder of the shark-spotting service, Patrick Davids and ex-lifeguard Monwabisi Sikweyiya are equipped with a map, special ultra-violet sunglasses, windbreakers and a remote control for a siren on Muizenberg beach to alert bathers to a shark threat.
Jacobs volunteered while unemployed and has since been appointed on a permanent basis. Davids used to be a carguard well-known to surfers for keeping their cars and car keys safe while they were in the water. Sikweyiya had been a Clifton lifeguard.
Since December 2, Jacobs has personally sighted sharks around Muizenberg five times.
"It's mostly the same four sharks - Dopey, Speedy, Charlize and the big one, Nosey, a five-metre long Great White," he said.
"When we spot them close to the beach we alert (Muizenberg surf shop) Surf Shack, who contact the National Sea Rescue Institute to chase the sharks back to the deep sea with their rubber duck," added Jacobs.
