On November 7th 2012, great progress was made in the campaign to remove South Africa’s shark nets, marking a huge step forward for shark conservation and standing as a testament to the power of grassroots activism. At the quarterly meeting of the Aliwal Shoal Forum in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, Shark Angel Mark Addison witnessed the KZN Sharks Board recommend the removal of the gill nets at Park Rynie to the local municipality. If this recommendation is acted upon (as every other Sharks Board suggestion has been) it will constitute the first step towards the abandonment of shark nets at Rocky Bay. The Sharks Board also recommended the replacement of the two nets at Scottburgh with drumlins. The Park Rynie and Scottburgh nets are both located within the boundaries of the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area. This recommendation by the Sharks Board signifies a positive shift in their attitude to shark conservation and an incredible triumph for the Shark Angels and others, who have been struggling to achieve the removal of the nets since 2008. 

Want to be a Shark Angel and do something to help sharks? This is your chance! We are asking Shark Angels around the world to support Shark Stanley and his friends in their efforts to get more protection for sharks and rays at the upcoming CITES convention in March.  Sharks weren't so lucky last time around - let's put the pressure on the CITES representatives to do the right thing this time.

SHARK ANGELS CELEBRATE AS DURBAN HARLEY OWNERS COMMIT TO SUPPORTING THE WORK OF LOCAL SHARK ANGELS: On Friday evening, the Durban Chapter of the Harley Owners Group met at their club in Umhlanga to welcome new members and to introduce their chosen charity for 2013. Each year, the Chapter raises money by hosting charity rides for non-members wanting the Harley experience, and through sponsorships, rally fees and the Poker Run at their annual July Duma rally. Tickets to ride with the Chapter retail at R300 each, 50% of which goes directly to their adopted charity- last year, the Durban HOGs raised R60 000 for charities including ‘Dreams for Africa’ in Winterton, CHOC, Nashua Children’s Charity Foundation and the SPCA Durban & Coast.