Back to the Sevengills

Its been a while since I had a dive with the broadnose sevengill cowsharks of False Bay, Cape Town. For those who have not heard of it this is a world class and almost unique destination where you can walk in from the shore and dive for over an hour (for free) with up to 30 large cowsharks. Lately the site has become very popular (unsurprisingly!) and more and more divers are visiting this site. There are rumours floating around that the authorities are going to step in and close the site to the general public and implement some sore of access control or permit system. This is a good thing and very necessary depending on the way it is done. Hopefully it will not follow the great white shark model which appoints a few select licensed operators which then charge full tourist rates for everyone. This way the operators get rich, the authorities make a fortune from the kickbacks and license fees and the public pay through the nose while the volume of divers may or may not decrease, i.e. money is generated with no corresponding effect to enhance the protection of the sharks.

Anyhow enough moaning from me, here are some pics from last weeks dive...

More can be seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jtresfon/sets...57624853849786/

Regards

Jean.

I want to go so badly.

Hi Jean

I agree 100% that this is a great and unique dive. Not many place where you can jump in for a shore dive after work and have such great company!

I must say I can't see any good or need to close the site and/or implement a permit system. Other than the cons you already highlighted, I also think that in the bigger picture the number of people diving here is relatively small.

If shark protection is the motivation there for sure is beter models to follow, but as we both know lining a few pockets will be the real motivation should anything be implemented.

Further I feel, that this site even without any sharks there is such a beautiful shore dive, so it really would be a big lost!

Love the first photo!

Great stuff Jean; yes this is a great dive, hope it does not get ruined one way or another!

There are rumours floating around that the authorities are going to step in and close the site to the general public and implement some sore of access control or permit system.

LOL There were rumors of sardines in Algoa Bay too Jean. I doubt the MCM will do it. Maybe the local municipality can block off the shore access but then you can access it by boat.

Even Seal Island was opened up to other operators after awhile. So it's equal opportunity to whomever wants to spend the money

They're such odd-looking sharks... what are they doing inshore as they look like my idea of a deepwater shark?

Tim