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Sharks in South Africa that regularly maul people are now facing extinction

Shark nets, ocean pollution and baited hooks are being blamed for the dwindling numbers.

SOUTH AFRICA’S GREAT white sharks face the threat of extinction after a rapid decline in numbers caused by trophy hunting, shark nets and pollution, according to a study released this week.

The six-year research project along the country’s coastline revealed that only between 353 and 522 of the sharks are still alive, half the level previously thought.

“The numbers in South Africa are extremely low. If the situation stays the same, South Africa’s great white sharks are heading for possible extinction,” said study author and Stellenbosch University researcher Sara Andreotti.

Scientists conducted the census by collecting biopsy samples and photographs of dorsal fins of the great predators, including in the Gansbaai area, near Cape Town, a hotspot for shark cage diving. Andreotti said:

We have come to the conclusion that South Africa’s white sharks faced a rapid decline in the last generation and that their numbers might already be too low to ensure their survival.

The study published in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series also blamed shark nets, ocean pollution and baited hooks on the eastern seaboard of South Africa for the dwindling numbers.

“The chances for their survival are even worse than what we previously thought,” said Andreotti.

About 333 of the sharks are thought to be capable of breeding.

Although the great whites population has dropped off South Africa, the report said the sharks were still found in large numbers off the coast of Canada, Australia and the United States.

The South African coast is notorious for shark attacks, with regular cases of deadly mauling of surfers and swimmers.

© – AFP 2016

Read: Drug probe after eight shark fishermen from the same family are massacred>

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    Mute ThomasFrancisMeagher
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    May 5th 2013, 12:39 PM

    The rise of Islamophobia & the re-emergence of Anti-Semitism in Europe is very sad to see. Fear through ignorance is the cause of all types of racism. People fear what/who they don’t know & understand.

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    Mute Genius
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    May 5th 2013, 1:08 PM

    Well you assume all who are sceptic of promoters of jehad and indiscriminate killing of women and children in the west bank are ignorant and racist,That in itself is a stereo typing.I would suggest that a total sense of apathy is not the answer as you suggest.

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    Mute Buckwheat MacMillan
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    May 5th 2013, 1:11 PM

    Global Jihad is nothing at all to be concerned about.

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    Mute Conor Murphy
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    May 5th 2013, 6:21 PM

    @Genius

    There is a difference between Islamaphobia and critiquing islam. Europe undeniably has a huge problem with Islamaphobia.

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    Mute Genius
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    May 5th 2013, 6:52 PM

    @Conor Murphy
    Can you have a guess as to why that might be,Its not a totally unfounded irrational fear.

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    Mute Jason Bourne
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    May 5th 2013, 6:55 PM

    Straight in therw again Thomas!!!!! How do you do it. Its like you are getting paid to watch these articles online. Oh wait……. a go, collect that 2grand. Fair play. Easy money if you can get it

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    Mute Chris
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    May 5th 2013, 12:41 PM

    And we all thought Germany left that behind them and they then call the shots in the rest of Europe shame on them

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    Mute snooch
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    May 5th 2013, 12:48 PM

    129 people in one of the largest states in Europe. Thats like trying to make out what the staff in one tesco store do is what the entire Irish nation do. Backwards blind Germany bashing will most likely be par for course on this article.

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    Mute Anne De Croix
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    May 5th 2013, 3:26 PM

    Ah, where’s my comment gone!

    Like racism in much of the west, pro nazi sentiment is alive and well in modern Germany according to some Germans I met recently.

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    Mute Sean Browne
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    May 5th 2013, 1:44 PM

    Where is the tesco store I’m going to lidl from now on

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    Mute Mark Gaynor
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    May 5th 2013, 7:44 PM

    Now I know why I can’t get a good bagel or falafal in Germany!

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