For decades, South Africa’s coastline was the best place on Earth to witness the majestic Great White Shark in its natural habitat. Yet in recent years, these ocean giants have mysteriously vanished from iconic hotspots like False Bay and Gansbaai. The disappearance of the Great White Sharks in South Africa has left scientists, divers, and ocean lovers stunned.

Researchers now point to a combination of human-driven impacts—ranging from overfishing and pollution to the deadly shark nets of KwaZulu-Natal—as major reasons behind the disappearance of the Great White Sharks.

While some blame a pair of orcas named Port and Starboard for driving the Great Whites away, the truth behind the disappearance of South Africa’s Great White Sharks appears far more complex—and deeply tied to human activity.

The Great White Shark: Guardian of South Africa’s Marine Balance

The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) has long been the ruler of South Africa’s coastal ecosystems. Known for its strength, intelligence, and grace, it plays a vital role in maintaining marine balance by controlling seal and fish populations.

False Bay and Gansbaai once offered perfect habitats—cold, nutrient-rich waters and thriving Cape fur seal colonies at Seal Island and Dyer Island. For years, up to 60 Great Whites could be seen during peak seasons. Then, around 2017, everything changed.

The Sudden Disappearance of the Great White Sharks

By 2019, sightings in both False Bay and Gansbaai had dropped dramatically. Shark cage diving operators—once fully booked—faced empty waters. Tracking devices on tagged sharks suddenly went silent.

The media quickly spotlighted the orca duo, Port and Starboard, who were seen preying on large sharks and leaving carcasses with precision wounds where the liver had been removed. But could two killer whales really be responsible for the disappearance of the Great White Sharks in South Africa?

As more data accumulated, it became clear: while the orcas played a role, they weren’t the sole cause.

Why Orcas Aren’t the Whole Story

Orcas are powerful, but they are also transient. Research from Shark Spotters, Dyer Island Conservation Trust, and others indicates that orca predation accounts for only a small percentage—perhaps 5–10%—of the Great White Shark disappearance.

If the sharks had merely fled from orcas, they would likely have returned once the danger passed. Instead, they have remained absent from False Bay for several years. The real reasons lie deeper—within human impacts that have altered South Africa’s marine ecosystem beyond recognition.

The Real Culprits Behind the Disappearance of the Great White Sharks

1. Longline and Gillnet Fishing

Commercial fishing off South Africa’s coast has grown rapidly in the past two decades. Longline and gillnet operations targeting tuna and swordfish often catch sharks as bycatch. Tens of thousands of baited hooks stretch for kilometres, killing countless marine animals—including Great Whites.

Additionally, overfishing of prey species such as snoek, yellowtail, and smaller sharks leaves Great Whites hungry and forces them to migrate farther north, possibly toward Namibia or Mozambique.

2. Illegal Shark Finning and Trophy Hunting

Though shark finning is illegal in South Africa, underground operations persist. The global demand for shark fin soup drives this trade, contributing to the disappearance of the Great White Sharks by destabilizing ecosystems.

Finning involves cutting off a shark’s fins while it’s still alive and discarding the body at sea. This horrific practice contributes to an estimated 73 million shark deaths each year. Every missing shark weakens the ocean’s balance—and pushes the Great White closer to regional extinction.

3. Environmental Changes and Pollution

Climate change has altered ocean temperatures and currents, shifting the range of both sharks and their prey. Warmer waters and reduced prey availability make South Africa’s coast less hospitable.

Pollution compounds the problem. Chemical waste, plastics, and agricultural runoff degrade water quality. Great Whites, as apex predators, absorb toxins that can harm reproduction and immune health—furthering the disappearance of Great White Sharks in South Africa.

4. Overexploitation of Smaller Sharks

Smoothhound and soupfin sharks—vital prey for young Great Whites—are being overfished for export. When these species disappear, juvenile Great Whites lose their primary food source. Without sufficient prey, they either migrate or die, preventing new generations from reclaiming their historical territories.

The Ripple Effect: Ecological and Economic Fallout

The disappearance of South Africa’s Great White Sharks isn’t just a conservation issue—it’s an economic and cultural loss.

Shark cage diving and eco-tourism were major income sources for communities around Gansbaai and False Bay. Dozens of local jobs—from skippers to guides—depended on reliable sightings. Their absence has hurt local economies and dampened South Africa’s once-thriving shark tourism industry.

Ecologically, the loss of Great Whites disrupts marine food webs. With fewer sharks to regulate seal populations, fish stocks decline—impacting both biodiversity and commercial fisheries.

Shark Nets in KwaZulu-Natal: The Hidden Killer

Another major threat fueling the disappearance of the Great White Sharks in South Africa is the continued use of shark nets along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

Installed decades ago to protect swimmers, these nets are, in reality, indiscriminate killing devices. Stretching across beaches from Durban to Ballito, they trap and kill dolphins, rays, turtles, and endangered sharks—including juvenile Great Whites.

Despite repeated calls from conservationists, the Natal Sharks Board continues to maintain these nets. Non-lethal alternatives—such as smart drumlines, electronic deterrents, and public education—offer safer solutions that protect both humans and marine life.

Until these outdated nets are removed, the disappearance of South Africa’s Great White Sharks will likely continue.

Signs of Hope: Are the Great White Sharks Returning?

Encouragingly, there have been recent sightings near Mossel Bay and False Bay, suggesting that some Great Whites may be returning. These isolated reports give researchers cautious optimism that the population could recover if strong protection measures are enforced.

Marine conservation groups are calling for:

1. Tighter Enforcement – Crack down on illegal finning and unlicensed fishing.
2. Sustainable Practices – Reduce bycatch through smarter gear and limited longline zones.
3. Habitat Protection – Expand no-fishing zones around breeding and feeding areas.
4. Public Awareness – Replace fear-based narratives with education about sharks’ ecological importance.

The Hope of Return: A Call to Stewardship

The disappearance of the Great White Sharks in South Africa is not a final chapter—it’s a turning point. Nature is resilient when humans step back and allow recovery. Through conservation, responsible policy, and respect for marine balance, these iconic predators could once again thrive off False Bay and Gansbaai.

Rather than blaming orcas, it’s time we confront the real issue: human negligence. The same species responsible for the sharks’ decline also holds the power to restore them.

As scientists often say, “If the sharks return, it means the ecosystem is recovering.” That’s a hope worth protecting.

Final Thoughts

The disappearance of the Great White Sharks in South Africa serves as both a warning and a call to action. It reminds us what happens when humans exploit the oceans without restraint—and invites us to become stewards of restoration.

Perhaps one day soon, the familiar silhouette of a dorsal fin slicing through the mist of False Bay will once again signal balance restored.