Great white sharks started disappearing from a former hotspot years ago, but scientists can’t agree why

Great White Sharks Disappearing from Cape Town Waters: Scientists Seek Answers

Great white sharks started disappearing from Cape Town's once-thriving marine ecosystem years ago, yet the reasons behind their decline remain elusive. This shift has sparked intense debate among marine biologists and conservationists, who are struggling to determine whether environmental changes, human activity, or natural predator behavior is to blame. The phenomenon has drawn attention to the fragility of marine food chains and the broader implications for oceanic biodiversity. While some point to orcas as the prime suspects, others argue that overfishing, climate shifts, and habitat degradation may be playing a critical role in the mystery of the vanishing great white sharks.

A Photographer’s Early Warning Signs

Before the decline became apparent, Chris Fallows, a naturalist and wildlife photographer, documented hundreds of great white sharks annually in Cape Town’s waters. His early work captured the majestic presence of these apex predators, a symbol of the region’s rich marine life. “It’s a sight you never forget,” Fallows recalled, describing the awe of watching great white sharks breach the surface. “Even now, seeing the Earth’s most formidable predator still gives me that tingling feeling.”

“It was truly incredible to see.” — Chris Fallows

By 2010, the area had become a hotspot for shark encounters, attracting thousands of divers and tourists eager to experience the thrill of these powerful creatures. Visitors would descend into the ocean, lured by blood-drenched chum, to witness great white sharks in their natural habitat. However, as the years passed, the once-frequent sightings began to dwindle, leaving Fallows and others to wonder if the great white sharks had simply vanished—or if something more sinister was at play.

Surgical Wounds and Tooth Marks

Alison Kock, a marine biologist with South African National Parks, noticed a pattern in the shark carcasses that began washing ashore. Early evidence included precise cuts on the bodies of great white sharks, initially thought to be human-made. “It looked so surgical from the photos that I thought someone with a knife must be responsible,” Kock explained.