SOSF Shark Centre, South Africa

Kalk Bay, South Africa

Key Objective:

The SOSF Shark Centre was established in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2008 to encourage the conservation and awareness of sharks and marine life in the False Bay area. The Shark Centre is committed to conducting valuable research while at the same time offering public educational programmes to change myths and people’s misperceptions of these important creatures.

Why this is important:

Sharks are vital to the health of our oceans. They play an important role in the ocean by regulating the quantity and health of other species of fish and invertebrates, keeping the ecosystem in balance.

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What we do


Scientific Research & Facilities: We support the development, production and expansion of new research avenues for sharks and other endangered marine species and habitats. We also offer the establishment of the Shark Centre to be used free of charge, as a dissemination hub for world-class shark conservation research as well as the use of our in-house research facilities to other NGO’s and for student training.

Education: We offer educational outings to school groups focusing on a range of marine topics. Because our programmes are presented by qualified, experienced teachers who are knowledgeable and passionate about their subject, you can expect lessons and activities that are hands-on, age-appropriate and linked to the school curriculum. We also understand that outings need to provide fun and excitement without compromising on the safety of your children.

Our lessons on sharks and our studies of the inter-tidal zone continue to be popular, while other activities include educational visits to Cape Point, coastal walks, shell studies, lessons on food webs and many other marine topics. Learners that have previously visited the centre can expect to learn new information with each visit. In addition to the educational activities listed on this page, the Save Our Seas Shark Centre also encourages educators to approach us with requests to integrate our activities with work from any of the learning areas being covered at school, and is happy to assist in developing follow-up activities.

Our premises are ideally situated across the road from Dalebrook beach, two minutes walk from Kalk Bay train station. For more information and bookings, please do not hesitate to contact us.

PR, Awareness & Events: We aim to promote the awareness of who we are and what we do, through high-profile local and international media campaigns, and by engaging with the public in ways where they can get involved and help to make a difference. Coastal clean-ups, public lectures, networking groups, conferences and exhibitions, are just some of the ways we do this, encouraging lively debate on the many issues relating to shark and marine conservation. Follow us on Facebook to keep updated on when these events will occur.

Video & Multimedia Productions: Our in-house editing suite allows Shark Centre to develop video material, like web messages and clips, to compliment current Save Our Seas Foundation educational material.

Visit Us: The Shark Centre is open daily to the general public, Monday-Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturdays from 10am until 3pm. Visitors to the Centre can expect to see small sharks and marine life in the aquarium, view marine documentaries and find out general shark and research information.

Interview with shark researcher, Gabriel Vianna

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 16 February, 2012

The Save Our Seas Shark Centre welcomed shark researcher Gabriel Vianna, to stay with us at the centre from 6 to 9 February 2012.  Here’s more details about his visit to South Africa. 1) Who are you, where are you…

Save Our Seas Shark Centre Visits Westerford High School

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 08 February, 2012

It’s very impressive when a young, high school student cares enough about a cause to take initiative. So when 9th grader, Sophie Schmidt, asked the Save Our Seas Shark Centre to talk to Westerford High School’s Animal Rights Advocates group,…

Shark Centre Joins Grade Seven Students at Silvermine River Clean-up

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 07 February, 2012

In recognition of World Wetlands Day on 2 February, Save Our Seas Shark Centre staff joined enthusiastic youngsters from Paul Greyling Primary School and volunteers from Friends of Silvermine Nature Area (FOSNA) to fight local wetlands degradation along the Silvermine…

Shark Centre Summer Marine Awareness Camp, December 2011

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 25 January, 2012

During the recent summer school holidays, the Save Our Seas Shark Centre (SOSSC), supported by the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC), ran a marine awareness camp for high school learners selected from six Cape Town secondary schools. The camp provided…

Save Our Seas Shark Centre to Educate and Empower 3,000 Cape Town Youths in 2012

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 16 January, 2012

Today, the Save Our Seas Shark Centre in Kalk Bay announced plans to increase outreach to local youths for marine education workshops in 2012. “This is a remarkable local community in a very special marine environment” stated Heidi Thormählen, Shark…