Did you know that South Africa was the first country in the world to protect great white sharks? In 1991, South Africa made the pioneering decision to halt the hunting of white sharks, aiming not only to conserve these majestic creatures but also to boost tourism. While the white shark might be the most famous shark, there are approximately 520 shark species worldwide, with 130 of them listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List.
At Shark Spotters, our organization is dedicated to conserving sharks in our oceans, with white shark research in False Bay being a key pillar of our efforts. Our pioneering shark safety and research activities have attracted international attention because of our pro-active and holistic approach to reducing interactions and conflict between recreational water users and sharks. From simple beginnings, our safety and research activities have evolved over the years and uncovered ground-breaking discoveries on white shark behavioural ecology and expanded to cover multiple species through an ecosystem-based approach.
A spotter with a view of Fish Hoek beach from the Fish Hoek lookout point. Photo © Jamila Janna
We now employ a variety of methods to study and protect multiple shark species in False Bay:
Blue stingray being measured at a fish tagging research trip. Photo © Jamila Janna
July has been dubbed Shark Awareness Month, with Shark Week on Discovery Channel captivating audiences of all ages. We thought it would be a great opportunity to reflect on the positive impact and importance of sharks in our ecosystems.
When there are sharks…
Sharks are vital to the health of our oceans and our understanding of marine ecosystems. As we celebrate Shark Awareness Month, let’s recognize the crucial role they play and continue to support their conservation locally and globally.
Sharks of False Bay. Photo © Jamila Janna