Shark research and conservation in South Africa are core values of White Shark Projects.

One way we actively contribute to shark research and marine conservation is through our collaboration with the Oceanographic Research Institute’s (ORI) Cooperative Fish Tagging Project (ORI-CFTP), which was launched in 1984.

The Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) is a division of the South African Association of Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) and is a leading authority in marine science in the Western Indian Ocean region.

In addition to conducting scientific research, ORI promotes community awareness and public participation through citizen science initiatives that encourage meaningful involvement in marine conservation.

The ORI-CFTP involves tagging sharks and fish with small yellow dart tags, each inscribed with a unique identification code.

When sharks are captured, they are carefully tagged and released while various morphometric data are recorded, including their sex, species, and any distinguishable physical features such as body patterns or injuries.

Environmental data are also collected, including the location, tide state, time of day, and cloud cover. If a shark is recaptured and already carries a tag, the same information is recorded again alongside its tag number.

The project relies heavily on the cooperation of conservation-minded anglers who assist in tagging fish, as well as the wider angling community who report the recapture of tagged individuals

At White Shark Projects, we also photograph each shark during the tagging process. Four photographs are taken: a bird’s-eye view of the shark, an image of its belly, a close-up of the head and facial features, and a photograph of the tag itself.

These images help support accurate identification and record keeping for long-term research. Although the ORI-CFTP includes many different fish and shark species, White Shark Projects regularly encounters four endemic species of small sharks.

These include the pyjama catshark, leopard catshark, dark shyshark, and puffadder shyshark. These sharks are endemic to South Africa, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world.

We primarily capture these sharks using two methods: handline fishing and snorkelling. Handline fishing involves using a reel equipped with a barbless hook to minimise injury.

When snorkelling, sharks are attracted using a bait bag, and a floating basket is used to temporarily hold individuals while tagging and data collection take place.

All crew members and volunteers are trained in correct shark-handling procedures to ensure that the animals are not harmed during the process. Handling time is kept to an absolute minimum to reduce stress, and sharks are released as quickly as possible after tagging and data collection have been completed.

The release and recapture of tagged sharks are reported to ORI, where the data are collated and analysed by fisheries biologists. This research helps scientists better understand shark movement patterns, growth rates, and population dynamics.

These findings are critical for informing conservation strategies and fisheries management policies designed to protect vulnerable species. For example, the puffadder shyshark is currently classified as Endangered according to the IUCN Red List.

Although the other three shark species we encounter are currently believed to have relatively stable populations, the most recent assessments were conducted between 2018 and 2019 and there remains limited long-term data available.

Continued shark tagging and research are therefore essential. Many of these species are vulnerable to bycatch because their habitats overlap with inshore line and net fisheries.

As coastal species, they are also particularly susceptible to habitat degradation caused by pollution, coastal development, and human infrastructure.

Long-term monitoring programmes such as the ORI-CFTP play an important role in improving our understanding of these sharks and supporting effective marine conservation in South Africa.

If you are interested in being part of a long-term shark research and marine conservation programme, volunteers are welcome to assist our team with fieldwork and data collection through the White Shark Projects volunteer programme.

To learn more or to apply, please contact us at Volunteer@whitesharkprojects.co.za. Our volunteer programme is open to anyone with an interest in marine conservation and shark research.