South Africa Sharks: Protection, Conservation and Laws

Updated February 2026 by Maia Graham – Marine Biology BSc graduate 2026,, University of Portsmouth and Shark Angels Intern

South Africa Sharks and Their Status: Overview

Home to more than 200 shark and ray species, South African waters are amongst the most diverse and ecologically important areas throughout the globe. Situated between the warm Agulhas Current and the cold Benguela Current, South Africa’s location creates productive habitats for both coastal and pelagic shark species. Notable residents include great white sharks, bull sharks, tiger sharks, ragged-tooth sharks, blue sharks, hammerheads, shortfin makos, and whale sharks. Seasonal movements are most frequently linked to temperature, prey availability, and breeding cycles. 

South Africa’s sharks currently endure immense conservation pressure, with over half of their assessed shark and ray species classified as threatened or near threatened by the IUCN Red List. Pelagic sharks suffer high mortality from longline fisheries operating in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, whereas coastal species are particularly vulnerable due to fishing pressure and habitat degradation.

 For a broader view of global protections, see the Shark Angels Shark Status, Laws + Loopholes by Country Hub.

Major Threats to Sharks in South African Water

Overfishing and Bycatch

Commercial fishing remains the greatest threat to the sharks of South Africa. They are targeted directly for their meat, fins, and liver oil, whilst also caught as bycatch in longline, trawl, and gillnet fisheries that are targeting tuna, swordfish, and hake. For instance, pelagic longline fisheries are responsible for the substantial bycatch of blue sharks, oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, and shortfin makos. It is estimated that almost 50% of the 204 species of sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras within South African waters are commonly targeted or caught as bycatch.

More on threats facing sharks

Kwazulu-Natal Sharks Board (KZNSB) Program

Introduced within the 1950’s, shark nets and drumlines were utilized by the KZNSB to help reduce the frequency of shark encounters on public beaches, despite there only being seven fatalities of shark attacks worldwide in 2024.  Decades of operation have resulted in thousands of marine deaths, including over 1,000 great white sharks and numerous non-target species. Economically, the program has cost South Africa more than R10.6 billion ($577 million) in potential revenue, based on estimates that each great white shark contributes approximately R10.2 million ($576 million) in its lifetime through ecotourism value.

Pollution

Runoff from agriculture, industry, and urban areas introduces heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, and other contaminants into coastal ecosystems. Due to their long-life span, sharks accumulate toxins in their tissues over time, which can affect growth, reproduction, and immune function.

Plastic pollution is a major concern, with microplastics being observed throughout South African food webs, and sharks ingest contaminated prey. Oil spills and chemical discharges also act as risks to shark habitats and prey species. 

Habitat Destruction and Coastal Development

The expansion of ports, marinas, and coastal infrastructure along South African coastlines has led to habitat loss and degradation, causing severe issues for shark species that rely on these habitats for breeding, pupping, and feeding. Nurseries in estuaries and nearshore zones are especially vulnerable. 

Activities such as shoreline hardening, dredging, and increased vessel usage disrupt benthic habitats and prey availability, particularly targeting slow-growing coastal sharks, including ragged-tooth sharks and smoothhounds.

Weak Enforcement and Management

Although South Africa has progressive shark conservation policies in place, enforcement and management remain weak. Monitoring programs for fisheries, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and shark trades face limited funding, whilst observer coverage on fishing vessels is low. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing remains difficult to detect across South Africa’s large Exclusive Economic Zone.

Management frameworks also rely heavily on species-level assessments that are outdated or incomplete. Despite lacking stock assessments, many species continue to be fished legally. The National Plan of Action for Sharks provides guidance, but lacks legal power, and therefore is ignored.

Mislabelling and Illegal Sales

Shark products are commonly sold under generic terms, such as “flake” or “shark meat”, so consumers aren’t aware of the identity of the potentially threatened or protected species. Victims of this issue include endangered hammerhead species and mako sharks, proven by DNA barcoding. 

South Africa is a significant exporter of shark products, including fins, meats and cartilage. Due to weak enforcement gaps and weak labelling, protected and threatened species are able to enter domestic and international markets, with limited oversight.

More on shark products.

Frequently Asked Questions about sharks in South Africa

Q: Are there sharks in South Africa?
Yes. South Africa is home to over 200 species of sharks and rays, ranging from small catsharks to massive whale sharks and apex predators like the great white.

Q: Are sharks in South Africa dangerous?
The risk is very low. Shark bites are rare, with only seven recorded fatalities worldwide in 2024. In South Africa, Shark Spotters look out for sharks and warn beachgoers of shark presence. Shark nets are also used to protect beachgoers, but cause great harm to marine life.

Q: What is the biggest shark found in South Africa?
Reaching over 12 meters in length, the whale shark (Rhinocodon typus) is the largest species recorded in South African waters. However, the great white shark is the largest species most recorded within South Africa. 

Q: Can you dive with sharks in South Africa?
Yes. South Africa is a world-renowned global hotspot for shark diving, including shark diving with great whites and open-water diving with tiger, bull, and ragged-tooth sharks.

Q: Are sharks protected by law in South Africa?
Protection varies widely by species. Species, such as great whites and whale sharks, are protected under the Marine Living Resources Act and the National Environment Management Biodiversity Act. Others are managed through catch limits and permits. 

Q: What are the main threats to sharks in South Africa?

The main threats include overfishing and bycatch, Kwazulu-Natal Sharks Board Program (bathing nets), mislabeling and illegal sales, pollution, habitat degradation and coastal development, and weak enforcement. 

Q: How can people help protect sharks in South Africa?

Avoid shark products, support conservation organizations and campaigns, choose responsible tourism operators, and advocate for stronger fisheries regulations. 

Q: When is the best time to see sharks in South Africa?
Shark sightings vary by species. Great white sharks are most spotted between May and October, whereas tiger and bull sharks are commonly seen in the summer.

Shark Populations in South Africa

Spain’s waters host a wide range of shark species, from common coastal sharks to highly migratory ocean predators. Below are some of the most representative species and where they can be found:

Great White shark (Carcharodon carcharias): Vulnerable

  • Where: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal
  • When: Year-round with seasonal peaks
  • Frequency: Regular sightings at key aggregation sites
  • Notes: Fully protected nationally


Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier): Near threatened

  • Where: KwaZulu-Natal, offshore Indian Ocean
  • When: Summer
  • Frequency: Common in warm waters
  • Notes: Major species in shark diving tourism

Sand Tiger (ragged-bull) shark (Carcharias taurus): Critically Endangered

  • Where: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal
  • When: Winter period
  • Frequency: predictable at dive sites
  • Notes: Protected in South Africa

Shortfin Mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus): Endangered

  • Where: Offshore Atlantic and Indian Oceans
  • When: Year-round
  • Frequency: Common bycatch species
  • Notes: Targeted in commercial fisheries

Scalloped Hammerhead shark (Sphryna lewini.): Critically endangered

  • Where: Offshore and coastal waters
  • When: Seasonal
  • Frequency: Declining
  • Notes: Frequently affected by the fin trade
Sand Tiger sharks.

Shark protection and law in South Africa

Marine Living Resources Act (1998):

  • Governs the management and conservation of marine living resources in South Africa, including sharks. It establishes permits, catch limits, and enforcement mechanisms, while enabling the creation of Marine Protected Areas.
  • Applies to all commercial, recreational, and foreign fishing vessels in South African Waters, including fishery authorities.
  • Permit conditions require sharks to be landed fully intact with their heads and fins. Violations can result in fines, permit suspension or revocation.

National Plan of Action for Sharks (NPOA-Sharks) (2013, updated 2022)

  •  It aims to ensure sustainable shark fisheries, improve species-specific data collection, reduce bycatch, and protect vulnerable species.
  • It applies to fishery managers, scientists, and any sector that interacts with shark species.
  • It is advisory, not legally binding.

Great White Shark Protection Regulations (1991)

  •  South Africa was the first country in the world to legally protect great white sharks. The law prohibits killing, capturing, trading or harming the species.
  • It applies to any person and vessel operating under South African jurisdiction.
  • It is enforced through national environmental legislation, though exemptions exist under shark control programs.

Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) Rules

  • South Africa is a member of regional fisheries bodies, including the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and ICCAT. They set rules on shark bycatch, finning bans, and species-specific protections, such as the retention of thresher sharks. 
  • It applies to all South African vessels operating in international waters and foreign fleets interacting with shared stocks.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

  • South Africa is a signatory to CITES, which regulates international shark trades, including hammerheads, makos, and whale sharks, through permit systems.
  • It applies to exporters, importers and traders of shark products.
  • To trade, you must present proof that specimens were obtained legally and sourced sustainably.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

  • Marine Protected Areas are designated under the Marine Living Resource Act and the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (2004). These areas aim to conserve biodiversity, protect habitats, allow species recovery, and support fisheries sustainability. 
  •  It applies to all activities within designated zones, including fisheries, tourism, and research.
  • Restrictions vary across each MPA.
  • South Africa has over 40 MPAs, covering only 5% of its Exclusive Economic Zone

Quotas and Catch Limits

  • Shark catches are regulated through quotas, permits and Total Allowable Effort (TAE) in certain fisheries such as longline and demersal fisheries.
  •  It applies to commercial fisheries, targeting tuna, swordfish, hake and sharks.
  • Catch limits are often not species-specific.
  •  Monitoring often relies on self-reporting.

Labelling Laws

  •  South Africa has general seafood labelling requirements, but they do not consistently require species-level identification of shark products.
  •  It applies to seafood retailers, markets, and restaurants.
  • Labelling enforcement is limited.

Loopholes and Ongoing Challenges

Bycatch Allowances: Even when species are threatened and legally protected, shark species can still be landed if caught unintentionally. Fisheries can therefore profit from bycatch, whilst dodging accountability. For instance, blue sharks, shortfin makos and hammerheads are regularly caught as bycatch under the use of pelagic longline fisheries. Despite their vulnerability, there are no species-specific restrictions on their retention, and in some cases, no strict catch limits for depleted species. 

Lack of Species-Specific Data and Monitoring: Monitoring in South Africa is limited. Discard of bycatch is frequently non-recorded, meaning total shark mortality is underestimated and unreliable. The number of individuals able to observe and correctly identify shark species is low, meaning it is difficult to enforce protections. 

Weak Enforcement: Lack of enforcement is one of South Africa’s biggest weaknesses, with government reports acknowledging that monitoring and enforcement are limited within the country, particularly across the large Exclusive Economic Zone. In 2025, a shark longline vessel was found to violate permit conditions by failing to land sharks with fins attached. Enforcement actions often result in fines rather than intense penalties. The lack of observers, resources, and individuals able to identify shark species correctly makes consistent enforcement challenging. 

Slow implementation: As South Africa’s National Plan of Action for Sharks is not legally binding, its effect is limited and depends on the fishery volunteers willing to participate. Delays in the implementation of shark protection measures and long wait periods for international protections under CITES create great ecological costs. For instance, the continued exploitation of threatened species and newly listed species. 

Domestic Trade and Export Loopholes: South Africa is a large exporter of shark products, including meat and fins. Despite global concern for declining shark populations, much of this trade is legal, even for threatened species. If considered ‘sustainably sourced’, export remains legal and is permitted by CITES. Alongside a lack of enforcement, this creates a loophole, allowing threatened species to enter global markets under legal permits.

Labelling Issues: As South Africa has little regulation surrounding species-specific labelling of shark products, consumers are therefore unable to distinguish between sustainable and endangered species. DNA testing has demonstrated that endangered sharks can be sold without detection under generic labels, such as ‘shark’ or ‘flake’. 

Marine Protected Areas: Although South Africa has expanded its MPAs, many allow fishing to occur, therefore reducing their effectiveness. Due to their high mobility, pelagic sharks receive little benefit from MPAs as their migratory routes and feeding areas often fall outside the boundary.

Marine Protected Areas in South Africa – Do they work?

South Africa has created more than 40 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), covering about 5% of its waters.

What’s working?

  • Some MPAs protect key coastal habitats and shark aggregation sites, particularly for Sand Tiger (ragged tooth) sharks.
  • The government initiative “Operation Phakisa” (meaning “hurry up”) accelerated the creation of 20 new MPAs in 2019. Protection of South African waters increased from 0.43% to 5.4%.
  • WWF South Africa introduced the METT-3 system to monitor and improve MPA management.
  • “No-take zones” are areas within MPAs that prohibit all extractive activities, including fishing, harvesting, and mining, to allow ecosystems to recover.

The Loopholes

  •  A high percentage of MPAs suffer from insufficient management, gaining the status of “Paper parks”, meaning they are designated on paper, but not actively protected.
  • Most MPAs allow fishing activities, and many lack effective enforcement. Pelagic sharks receive little protection from MPAs. 
  • Illegal fishing, such as bottom trawling and gillnetting, still occurs frequently within South African MPAs.

Why It Matters for Sharks

Sharks rely on safe breeding and feeding areas. Without meaningful protection from overfishing, bycatch, and habitat loss, recovery remains unlikely. Due to their slow reproductive and maturation rates, which can sometimes take decades, sharks desperately depend on these areas to thrive.

great white shark swimming.

Shark Conservation in South Africa

There are many local shark + marine conservation organizations in South Africa

Learn more about our global efforts on the Shark Angels Conservation page.

Diving with Sharks in South Africa

  • Gansbaai: Great white shark (May – October)
  • Aliwal Shoal: Tiger, bull, and oceanic blacktip sharks (November – March)
  • Sodwana Bay: Whale sharks and reef sharks (Year-round)

Always choose responsible operators and follow the Shark Angels shark diving codes of conduct.

How to Protect Sharks in Spain

For Lawmakers:

  • Strengthen bycatch limits and enforcement.
  • Mandate species-specific labelling of shark products.
  • Expand fully protected MPAs including no-take zones.
  • Increase observer coverage on fishing vessels.

For Residents:

  • Get Smart! Avoid shark products. Ask businesses to stop selling them. Tools here!
  • Check seafood labels and avoid vague names like “rock salmon.” More on shark products here.
  • Support sustainable fishing practices.
  • Support legislation protecting sharks + their habitats

More here

For Tourists:

  • Choose ethical shark diving operator.
  • Don’t buy shark souvenirs or products.
  • When possible, dive in MPAs.
  • Sign our global petition to end the sale of shark products.

More here

References

  1. South Africa’s Marine Protection for Threatened Sharks and Rays – https://www.rainforesttrust.org/urgent-projects/increase-south-africas-marine-protection-for-threatened-sharks-and-rays/#:~:text=South%20Africa%20is%20one%20of,alarm%20bells%20for%20marine%20conservation
  2.  IUCN Red List https://www.iucnredlist.org – Global conservation status of shark species
  3.  Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) https://www.dffe.gov.za – Official source for South Africa’s marine policies, fishery management plans, and enforcement reports.
  4. Marine Living Resources Act (1998) https://www.gov.za/documents/marine-living-resources-act-27-may-1998-0000 – Primary legislation governing the use of marine resources.
  5. FAO National Plan of Action for Sharks – https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/saf211213.pdf – Framework for shark conservation, fisheries, and bycatch.
  6. South African sharks threatened by fisheries, weak enforcement – https://news.mongabay.com/2025/10/south-african-sharks-threatened-by-fisheries-weak-enforcement/
  7. KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board https://shark.co.za – Information on shark nets and drumlines.
  8. Shark Spotters https://sharkspotters.org.za – Ethical, safety shark program.
  9. Research on elasmobranch conservation and management in South Africa – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308597X23003809
  10. Sharks under attack – https://sharksunderattackcampaign.co.za/threats/ Threats to shark species