Shark Attack on Abalone Poacher

[ShoalDiverSA]

(Free)Diver killed by shark off Cape Coast:

http://iafrica.com/news/sa/9824.htm

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1538847,00.html

http://www.capetimes.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=271&fArticleId=2103997

This was most likely a freediver as the abalone poachers in this country are mostly (well) below the breadline. Unlikely that the poacher was on SCUBA. Fellow poachers witnessed the attack. The area is known as Shark Alley, near Dyer Island.

More on GW shark diving in the area here:
http://www.sharkbookings.com/

More on abalone poaching in South Africa here:
http://eces.org/articles/000263.php

My initial reaction was "good, he got what he deserved". On reflection, it is really sad as the people doing the poaching are not the real problem. Well, they are, but unfortunately the demand is there (mainly from the East) and the networks of middlemen (that make the real profits) employ these people (for a pittance) to do their dirty work. Righteous anger is probably justified, but these are people well below the poverty line and with unemployment being what it is in this country, what would I do in his shoes? It is a difficult one. For some it might be easy to damn this guy to his fate. Having lived here and seen the extreme poverty, it is not so easy.

Thoughts? Scathing attacks on the poacher? Commiserations?

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[scubaculture]

Hi ShoalDiverSA

Yeah it is a pretty sad story and I also had the same feeling, thinking he got what he deserved, but seeing that I'm also in SA I know what these people have to go through just to be able to feed their famalies.

The scathing attacks should be reserved for the people who pay these poachers nearly nothing yet make a fortune exporting the shellfish. We have such a beautiful country with some amazing diving, but more policing along our coast is necessary.

I am just hoping there is no "Kill the shark" protests.

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

Hi ShoalDiverSA
...
I am just hoping there is no "Kill the shark" protests...

Sadly, this is the usual knee-jerk reaction to these incidents.

Though it will be difficult to cull the GW population around Dyer Island... There are enough of them! And it's not like their presence there is a surprise to anyone.

Hey, welcome to the 'Board! :dazzler1: You'll like it here. stallion and SA-Diver are some of the locals that hang around here.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[scubaculture]

One day people will realise they belong there and we dont and accept the miniscule risks involved.

One can only hope!

Yay I am coming down to Sodwana for a week in July!

Cheers
Wade

 

[mempilot]

Maybe the shark was on the government payroll.

Poachers are a problem in every country where a resource is in demand via a black market. Whether it's ivory, abolone, shark fins, or.. this list could go on forever. Until people stop buying these items illegally, thus creating demand for a diminishing resource and thus keeping the price artificially low, then I don't think we'll ever see an end to these types of stories. Take away the black and gray markets, and properly had resources remain expensive to the consumer. Less people will pay, and the demand will lower. With a low demand, no one will take the risk.

I don't feel bad for people who end up like this. I feel sad, but not bad. The drug dealer that get's popped by the rival gang was breaking the law. He may have had mouths to feed at home, but so do a lot of other people who make the choice to do it within the bounds of the law.

Sorry for the rant.

My condolences to the family.

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

...
I don't feel bad for people who end up like this. I feel sad, but not bad. The drug dealer that get's popped by the rival gang was breaking the law. He may have had mouths to feed at home, but so do a lot of other people who make the choice to do it within the bounds of the law.
...

Well put.

And to think that the guy was doing legal work before his poaching stint... Sad. Down here, the knock-on effect of the loss of a bread winner is huge due to the extended family structures. A lot of people will probably be affected by the bad choice he made.

Cheers,

Andrew