Ocean News

Rescued Giant Petrel About two months ago, the Shark Centre team rescued this elegant pelagic seabird, who had an injured wing, on the rocks at Dalebrook and Verona took him to the False Bay Veterinary Clinic (Tel No.: 021 788 1172). Dr Liam Bebbington kindly attended to him at no…

Dr David Ebert – center The PSRC is the west coast branch of the National Shark Research Consortium, a coalition of four major shark research organizations working in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service. The other three centers are Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Shark Research, the Florida Program…

Sharks in Deep Trouble has won another two awards at the International Celebrate the Sea Film Festival held in Philippines. It has been credited with five awards so far from three international festivals, and this time I won a liveaboard package in Indonesia, an underwater photographer’s dream, I can’t wait…

Dr Leonard Compagno originally described, classified and named lantern sharks after lantern fish. The two scientists are discovering that there are more lantern sharks (genus Etmopterus gracilispinis) than previously thought. These lights, which are dotted all over the body, are little muti-cellular organs which produce luminescence by means of a…

Cage diving in Gansbaai with white sharks On Friday a group of post graduate students from UCT and the University of Miami led by expert marine biologists Prof. George Branch and Dr. Michael Gaines joined the Save Our Seas Shark Centre and Shark Diving Unlimited (SDU) on their first shark…

Lindy attempting to rescue a baby seal. Seal rescues have become part of our lives at SOS Shark Centre. From time to time the centre is called upon to assist with the rescue of tiny seals and this was my first exposure to this. Marine educators including Verona, Glen, Lesley…

Participants gather on the beach for a quick photo The programme is made up of a lesson on sharks, a rock ecology lesson and the viewing of the documentary about a raggedtooth shark, Maxine, titled “Maxine’s Journey”.  Over the months the whole team perfected this programme and final touches included…

Kids with Maxine – school holiday program Emily: “I have only been here a few days but have already I can see how much the SOSSC sparks the local community’s passion for shark conservation. Even children as yound as 4 leave the Shark Centre bursting with new found knowledge to…

PROBUS Langebaan Lecture As Verona had a great deal on her slate, Lindy addressed the men and women of this group of significant “retired” professionals. What a delightful group of people and they are so fortunate to live in one of our country’s incredible natural sites. Our thanks to the…

Heterodontus Galeatus – Crested Bull Head Shark Dr. Leonard Campagno presented his lecture titled Shark Diversity of Southern Africa on 7 July 2009. This talk was very well received and engendered much discussion afterwards. Most people think that sharks are, either grey, blue/grey or brown. This talk highlights just how…

Presentations by Lesley Rochat and Clem Sunter While Clem focused on discussing future scenarios that could play out in the world economy, and in South Africa, Lesley focused on the future of the world’s oceans, and sharks in particular. Her talk entitled The Future of the Oceans is in Your…

Karen Muller from SANCCOB visits the Shark Centre Karen Muller with Columbine and Rocky Karen Muller is the most delightful woman and her visits to the events in Kalk Bay and St James during the Environmental Week were a hit with the children. Karen served her time at SANCCOB as…

Sue meets the White Shark! It eloquently portrays our message about the need for humans to help to conserve and protect our sharks and highlights the importance of sharks in the delicate sea ecosystems. It also successfully debunks myths about sharks and depicts the important role of the YES Shark…

SOS Shark Centre (8 June 2009) On Saturday 6 June, we facilitated a visit of the Khwela Community based organization from Khayelitscha, friends and family of the Kalk Bay community, the Shark Spotters and the public. The diverse group enjoyed the Shark Dreams play presented by Jungle Theatre, the penguins…

Pollution and its effect on marine animals (1 June – 5 June 2009) The programme included the incredible play, Shark Dreams, by Jungle Theatre (based upon a book written by Lesley Rochat), short talks: the effects of pollution on penguins, the real need for recycling and the environment, minimizing our…