South Africa prepares for Shark Festival: 22-08-2007
South Africa has hosted a Great White Shark Festival to bolster the image of sharks and encourage the activity of cagediving.
The town of Gansbaai, located on the western cape of South Africa, is renowned for its population of great white sharks.
Galas, bands and beach activities marked some of the events over the weekend, as well as discounted prices on the usual cagediving and boat shark tours.
Speaking to Associated Press, University of Capetown's shark research unit member Alison Kock said: "They are very confident, curious animals. If they don't know what something is, they give an exploratory bite or nudge."
She added: "South Africa is one of the best places in the world to see great white sharks."
Ms Kock also tried to allay fears that great white sharks eat humans, no doubt fuelled by the Steven Spielberg film Jaws. She said that sharks did not regard humans as part of their natural prey.
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