Sharkwatch SA Blog

The tale of Port and Starboard, two orcas, who patrol the South African coastline, and have been linked to predation on seven-gill sharks and great white sharks in 2017, inspired Richard Peirce’s latest book, ‘Orca’. The town of Gansbaai, known as the White Shark Capital of the World, and the characters involved in this event, will give readers an insight how nature can never be taken for granted. Richard also touches on the threats that sharks face from man, infinitely worse than that of two orcas.

The book launch took place in partnership with Marine Dynamics and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust at the Great White House in Gansbaai. Owner of Marine Dynamics Wilfred Chivell is a key figure in the book along with Alison Towner, the Trust’s biologist who conducted the necropsies on the deceased white sharks. Richard thanked all those who helped in the production of the book and spoke to his guests about a movie he has been working on related to the lion bone trade - the subject of his previous book ‘Cuddle Me, Kill Me’. Richard’s books touch on sensitive environmental topics such as rhino poaching and elephant conservation. As a previous chairman of the Shark Conservation Society (UK), Richard is particularly passionate about sharks and has previously documented the story of ‘Nicole’ – a white shark that travelled to Australia and back. Richard has seen first-hand the impact of the fin trade on various shark species. He was particularly fascinated by the orca predation, an event never before documented in South Africa, that caused a flight response in white sharks, and interesting changes to the ecosystem.

In real-time though, Gansbaai has been enjoying sightings of white sharks again, as well as the bronze whaler (copper) sharks that have been visiting the area. Keep up to date on Marine Dynamics daily blog.

Special thanks to PenguinRandomHouse-Struik Nature and Porcupine Ridge Wine.
Orca is available at the great White House and South African bookstores or available on Amazon.