Shark conservation project in South Africa

Description of Shark conservation project in South Africa

Discover how education and research come together to safeguard the future of our oceans and their most misunderstood inhabitants.

For decades, the Great Shark Research and Conservation Project has been at the forefront of marine conservation, driving research through data collection, challenging misconceptions about sharks, empowering local communities, and inspiring people from all walks of life to take part in safeguarding the ocean. All while offering the chance to come face-to-face with some of the ocean’s greatest misunderstood predators: sharks.

Unfortunately, sharks continue to face severe threats from illegal poaching, overfishing, and habitat degradation. In recent years, the Gansbaai region, once a global hotspot for great white sharks, has seen a notable decline in sightings. This is in part due to the arrival of two killer whales, which were preying on them. This shift has caused a ripple effect across the ecosystem, with increases in Cape fur seals and bronze whaler sharks, disrupting the natural balance of the marine environment.

The project has adapted its research focus and collects data on bronze whalers, sevengill cow sharks, blue sharks, shortfin makos, hammerheads, and a wide variety of smaller shark species, as well as other marine wildlife. This data is helping build a better picture of the current marine landscape in Gansbaai, and with signs of great whites cautiously returning, the project hopes to contribute to their long-term recovery and ensure that future generations can continue to witness these magnificent predators in their natural range.

As a volunteer on this project, you’ll learn how to collect data on free-swimming sharks, both from the boat and inside the cage, and help tag smaller coastal species such as pyjama and leopard sharks. You’ll also assist on the boat, picking up basic seamanship skills such as handling ropes, anchoring, and keeping things shipshape at sea. You’ll get involved in community projects too, from helping at the ‘Swop Shop’, where local kids trade collected plastic for prizes, to joining beach clean-ups and even spending a morning each week at a local dog shelter. It’s all part of building stronger community ties and making a real difference both above and below the waves.

It’s recommended that volunteers commit to a minimum of 3 weeks, as sea conditions may occasionally result in no-boat days. In this event, a number of alternative fun activities will be arranged, anything from visiting the penguins in Betty’s Bay to a Garden Route game drive!

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