Alisha's Ocean Quest: The Great White That Made History The longest journey previously known to be taken by a great white shark was by a female named Nicole, who famously swam from Gansbaai, South Africa, to Western Australia—covering around 9,000 km across the Indian Ocean before returning. But a new discovery has now shattered that record, [...]
Sustainable Fisheries: Protecting Our Oceans for Future Generations Sustainable fisheries play a crucial role in preserving ocean health and supporting global food security. As demand for seafood grows, so does the importance of managing fish stocks responsibly to prevent overfishing and protect marine ecosystems. By transitioning to sustainable practices, fisheries can help ensure that fish populations [...]
Sharks Abandoning Coral Reefs: A New Threat from Climate Change Sharks, apex predators of the ocean, play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. However, recent studies show a growing concern for these majestic creatures as climate change forces them to abandon their natural habitats—stressed coral reefs. Coral reefs are some of the [...]
Fynbos and Chelsea Flowers Fame South Africa’s fynbos biome is one of the world’s most extraordinary ecosystems, famous for its incredible biodiversity and unique plant species. It is part of the Cape Floristic Region, and recently took the spotlight when South Africa’s exhibit at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in London won three awards, including a gold medal. What [...]
Protecting our smaller sharks Throughout the year, White Shark Projects team have been tagging small shark species as part of the Oceanographic Research Institute's Cooperative Fish Tagging Project (ORI-CFTP). All the data White Shark Projects collects goes towards the ORI-CFTP and helps to conserve South Africa's fish resources. In addition, the project gives White Shark Projects volunteers an opportunity to [...]
Plastic Pollution Every year, an estimated 8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans. Once there, plastic wreaks havoc on marine life, entangling and being ingested by animals. Tragically and needlessly, 100 million marine animals die each year because of plastic waste. We all have a responsibility to cut down on plastic and recycle whenever possible. We must also reduce [...]
Why are sharks so important? This is a question many people ask. The importance of sharks and the roles they play in the ocean are often unknown by the general public. Therefore attitudes towards sharks and protecting them are quite negative. So, lets break this down and provide some answers as to what sharks bring to the table. Sharks [...]
The Shark Team It takes a passionate team to ensure our clients have the best possible experience! Working in an environment where you know your team members have your back does not only create so much confidence but also brings great job satisfaction. Over the next couple of weeks I will introduce you to some of these amazing people I [...]
The Shark Man My name is Tom Slough and I am a marine biologist. When I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I always thought I would be a fireman. As years went by and my fascination with sharks grew my answer changed, I wanted to be just like Andre Hartman! For those of you [...]
Volunteer in South Africa My name is Joe Long and this is my third time volunteering for White Shark Projects. I had to wait a couple of years to come back again due to the Covid Pandemic. I was overjoyed to be reunited with some familiar faces, as well as some new ones. Gansbaai is in the Western Cape [...]
Plastic Pollution A staggering 8.8 million tonnes of plastic enters our ocean every year, polluting the water, killing millions of animals and even putting human health at risk. It is important to find ways to reduce single use plastic consumption in all aspects of our lives to decrease the amount of waste ending up in our seas. White Shark Projects [...]
Did You Know? 73% of beach clean litter Worldwide is composed of plastic. Plastic is killing more than 1.1 million seabirds and animals every year. The average person eats 70,000 microplastics each year. Since the 1950s, around 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic has been produced worldwide. Every year, 8.8 million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean. At this [...]
Gansbaai South Africa Gansbaai South Africa is a popular tourist attraction, best known for its great white sharks and superb whale watching. It is well worth visiting and there are an array of activities for the adventurous traveller. Here are some great activities you should experience on your visit to Gansbaai: Gansbaai South Africa, Great White Shark diving experience with [...]
The Lighthouse 2 Lighthouse Ladies only walk started back in 2006. Raising awareness and funds for cancer survivors and friends and families alike who had lost loved ones to this disease. The route back then was a hike and camp along the way from Struisbaai to Hermanus. Twenty-six brave women were to start something bigger than they could have [...]
Cage Diving with Sharks Cage Diving with Shark It seems like dreaming is the only thing you can do right now in this quarantine, but it’s important to not only dream now, but keep dreaming your whole life and trying your best to achieve your dreams! Too many times you get disappointed during your journey, but it’s up to you [...]
It seems like dreaming is the only thing you can do right now in this quarantine, but it’s important to not only dream now, but keep dreaming your whole life and trying your best to achieve your dreams! Too many times you get disappointed during your journey, but it’s up to you to let those disappointments block you from achieving [...]
When you travel to a new place, often you will hear about famous people, history and landmarks that make that place unique. Well, Struisbaai, a little town situated in the Overberg region has a different kind of famous attraction– Parrie the Stingray. Who’s Parrie you ask? Parrie is a celebrity in these parts and is in fact…. A short-tail [...]
In the previous blog I shared with you just a handful of activities to do around South Africa’s Overberg region from the animal side of things. The Overberg displays spectacular beauty with its rolling hills, mountains, valleys and dramatic coastlines… So this week, I am sharing some of the great activities for experiencing those breathtaking natural sights. Quad Biking SA [...]
Georgina Vermeulen- Searching For her Dream As a huge shark enthusiast, I originally came to South Africa to follow my life-long dream of seeing Great White Sharks. However, once here I realized that there is a lot more to this amazing country than sharks. In particular, the Overberg region offers a lot of incredible activities for nature lovers As a [...]
For our last installment of Zero Waste Living, White Shark Projects are showing you more ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and make your way towards zero waste living from your home: So why not try some of the simple changes we have showed you the past few weeks and help take care of the ocean we rely so [...]
Global tourism has risen significantly since the end of the second world war. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) there was a record breaking 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals in 2018. Many of these people travel to explore the natural wonders and wildlife that inhabit our wonderful planet. White Shark Projects encourage our shark cage diving clients to think [...]
White Shark Projects continues to raise ocean awareness by showing how some of our daily activities, although seemingly innocent, can have a negative impact on the ocean. White Shark Projects believe that environmental education is vital in aiding the conservation of our beautiful marine ecosystems. Through public outreach events such as school presentations, beach cleans and Recycle Swop Shop, we [...]
Sustainable travel has become a buzzword lately, but it is so much more than another marketing trend. People all over the world have decided to minimize their carbon footprint by giving back to the destinations they most love and frequent. Promoting this type of travel is critically important to the environment and in preserving our beautiful natural world. We’ve decided [...]
White Sharks Are Back! Last week, White Shark Projects were excited to welcome back one of our favorite Great White Sharks to Gansbaai. The great white shark we know as 'Mini Nemo' is an incredible 3.6 metre male that we have been observing from our shark cage diving vessel for at least seven years now. Due to his very distinct [...]
As Dr. Sylvia Earle said, the ocean is the blue heart of our planet. Covering a massive 72 percent of the Earth, the ocean provides us with life, food, jobs and is home to an abundance of amazing wildlife to say the least. So, here are just some of the reasons why the ocean is so important. Oxygen Production It [...]
White Shark Projects had a fun-filled day out with our environmental education group, Ocean Defenders on Saturday 8th February. The group were taken to Franskraal Beach, Gansbaai where our crew member Mandla talked to them about the damage plastic pollution does to our oceans and the group picked up any litter they could find along the coast. On the way [...]
Here is a video Georgina Christensen made about the experience as a White Shark Projects volunteer... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62iCI-oYMV8 For more information on White Shark Projects Volunteer Programme visit our website! To keep up to date with volunteer activities follow White Shark Projects social media pages: Published 3rd February 2020
White Shark Projects clients and crew have had fantastic sightings of majestic short-tail stingrays recently from our cage diving vessel, Shark Team. Here are some of our stingray highlights from the past month! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2irFPSA7yaY&t=26s Visit White Shark Projects and experience Gansbaai's unique marine ecosystem! Video edited by Georgina Vermeulen Marine Biologist at White Shark Projects Music: bensound.com Published 20th January [...]
The Overberg region is one of South Africa’s best hidden secrets; an area offering diverse landscapes, a wonderful climate and magnificent scenery as far as the eye can see as well as a myriad of outdoor and adventure activities. If you have had the privilege of visiting this beautiful region, you will agree that a holiday in the Overberg will [...]
Bronze Whaler Shark - Interesting Facts Gansbaai, South Africa has one of the most unique and diverse marine ecosystems on the planet. Although, the area is famous for the mighty great white shark, there are also other incredible shark species here. As well great white shark sightings, another species that can be observed from our cage diving vessel, Shark Team [...]
2020 is fast approaching and it is almost time for those New Year resolutions. A new year is always the perfect opportunity to change undesirable habits and create personal goals. Quite often these end up being about fitness, relationships or money… but how about making a resolution that helps our planet and in turn our future? Here are 5 easy [...]
Here in Gansbaai we are lucky to be situated only an hour away from the southernmost tip of the African continent at Cape Agulhas. As well as being the southernmost tip of Africa, the International Hydrographic Organization have also determined the area the meeting point for the Indian and Atlantic Ocean. Cape Agulhas offers spectacular scenery with a dramatic coastline [...]
A generous spirit of giving often needs a channel and direction in order to be effective. In the travel sector, tourism businesses in destinations and operators in the value chain can often fill this role in a way that results in meaningful contributions to local development. In this vein, Gansbaai-based White Shark Projects has been working with FTT-approved Ajimba African [...]
As the new year is only just around the corner, it is time to celebrate the the 3076 children who visited our Recycle Swop Shop during 2019. ♻️ This gives the Swop Shop a grand total of 50,577 visits from children in the past 11 years! https://youtu.be/WzmU7bAYQtE A massive thank you to all the children who bring their recyclables every [...]
Gansbaai is the best destination in the world for shark cage diving. Gansbaai may seem like any other small South African town, but driving to the shoreline reveals a fleet of boats lined up at the harbour. These operate daily, weather permitting, taking travellers out on epic shark cage diving experiences. Only a strong cage separates divers from the sharks [...]
The thrilling news that Overstrand Hermanus was recently awarded UNESCO Creative City status for Gastronomy is a feather in their collective cap and a tribute to the many people who are so passionate about the region. It is one of only 10 cities worldwide to be recognised by UNESCO for Gastronomy in 2019; what’s more it is the first city [...]
White Shark Projects has had the privilege of being able to record great white shark sightings in Gansbaai, South Africa since 1989. Being one of the largest predatory species of shark, it always amazes us how gracefully these sharks seem to glide past our cage diving vessel, Shark Team. With the recent sightings of some large 4.5 – 5 metre [...]
Halloween is that time of year where we tell tales of ghosts, ghouls and celebrate all things spooky. So, with this in mind, we are introducing you to a few strange but awesome shark species that dwell in the deep sea. ?? Goblin sharks The goblin shark is a deep sea species from the Mitsukurinidae family which dates back 125 [...]
Here we have 22 year old Dax Koopmans from the Netherlands talking a little bit about his experience while participating in White Shark Projects volunteer programme... If you are interested in joining White Shark Projects volunteer family - please contact volunteer@whitesharkprojects.co.za To keep up to date with our latest volunteer activities follow White Shark Projects social media [...]
Sharks never cease to amaze us. There are over 400 different shark species and scientists are continuously learning new things about these incredible ocean creatures. One species in particular that managed to stun biologists from all around the world - is the zebra shark... Zebra shark photo from aquariumworks.org The zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) is a species of [...]
Shark Anatomy – Part 2 Great White Shark Anatomy Those of you who read our last blog will know how amazing sharks are! The way the skin works, the gills, the teeth and a lot more! Let’s explore the Shark’s internal anatomy and physiology. But what about the internal anatomy of a shark? How does that [...]
Shark Internal Anatomy – Part 1 We all know that sharks are pretty amazing, but why? What are their secrets? Well, let’s find them out today and explore a shark’s internal anatomy Cartilage Sharks are fish that have no bones, only cartilage. Cartilage is flexible and durable, yet it is about half the [...]
Who better than to bring this years 21 Days for the Ocean 2019 celebrations to a close than White Shark Projects Managing Director, Charmaine Beukes? Charmaine started 21 Days for the Ocean in 2014 with a vision to spread ocean awareness and optimism not only throughout the Overstrand area, bit also internationally. Thank you so much to everyone [...]
This month, White Shark Projects hosted our annual blue initiative campaign, 21 Days for the Ocean. Since 2014, we have been spreading ocean optimism and awareness not just in our local communities in the Overstrand, but also globally. Our 2019 theme was ‘The Ocean in Us’. Every one of us is connected to the ocean in some way – whether [...]
You can’t get around it these days, plastic is everywhere. There are many articles telling you about how harmful plastic can be for this planet. But what can you actually do to make a change? Below is information on just 8 easy ways you can reduce plastic usage in your daily lives. Remember, your effort to reduce plastic doesn’t have [...]
The lateral line is an important determinant of detecting prey, current speed and direction, providing useful information to fishes that live in streams or where tidal flows dominate. The lateral line has been one of the most mysterious of all vertebrate sensory systems. The sensory organ is a hollow tube with pores in connection to the surrounding in the skin, [...]
White Shark Projects organise and take part in regular coastal clean-ups to try and reduce the amount of pollution heading out into our seas. All around the world people are bombarded with talk of the impacts plastic straws and shopping bags have on wildlife and their habitats. However, during our beach cleans, it is clear to see what the biggest [...]
On the 1st September 2019, White Shark Projects were ecstatic to launch our educational group called Ocean Defenders, as part of our 21 Days for the Ocean Campaign. The aim of the Ocean Defenders programme is to provide young marine enthusiasts with the knowledge and skills to help protect the ocean environment which will in turn create a more sustainable [...]
Recently articles have been surfacing in the media on the absence of great white sharks in the Cape Town area. Here at White Shark Projects in Gansbaai we are delighted to say that we are not experiencing the same absence of sharks. In fact, 2019, and especially the last 4 months, have given us some of our best shark sightings [...]
The last time I wrote, I was living and working in Spain and then also travelling around to little areas nearby. But if you know me, you know that’s not all I would have up my sleeve when it comes to adventures to be had. You’d be right, too. After two and a half months of that, I got on [...]
Illustration from web post by Blaise Jones Sharks are amongst the most streamlined and efficient hunters on earth and they have made all their senses in lethal weapons, like sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Except they have a sixth sense, called the Ampullae of Lorenzini which are first described in 1678 by researcher Stephan Lorenzini. Sharks have [...]
It takes a whole team with commitment to ensure our clients have the best possible experience! Working in an environment where you know your team members have your back does not only create so much confidence but also brings great job satisfaction. Over the next few weeks I will introduce you to some more of these amazing people I am [...]
Recently, scientists identified a tiny male shark specimen that had been frozen in cold storage since 2010 and it turned out to be a rare catch! It’s only 14 cm long (5.5 inches) and one telltale feature gave it away. It has small slits (or pocket glands) above its pectoral fins, which produce bioluminous fluids. It is thought to be [...]
White Shark Projects, founded in 1989, is renowned for its dedication to the conservation of our oceans. WSP as a company also feel that it is important to support our local communities. So 11 years ago one of our owners came up with a community based project that supports the community whilst helping the environment. In the last 11 years [...]
Here in Gansbaai, I am lucky enough to see what I think is the most beautiful animal in the World – the Great White Shark. As a marine biologist, I get asked many wonderful questions about these majestic creatures while on White Shark Projects cage diving vessel, Shark Team. One of the most common questions being, “Do sharks sleep?” Well, [...]
Image from Respect the Fin Cosmetics and skincare go hand in hand and it’s something that the fairer sex can rarely live without. It’s packaged in beautiful colours with promising words, but there's an ugly truth hidden in many cosmetic and beauty products - an ugly reality that most of us are oblivious of: A shark may have [...]
White Shark Project, founded in 1989, is renowned for its dedication to the conservation of our oceans. Projects as a company also feel that it is important to support our local communities. So 11 years ago we came up with a community based project that supports the community whilst helping the environment – White Shark Projects Recycle Swop Shop. Over [...]
Great white sharks are one of the World’s most mysterious animals. Even though many studies have been conducted on these beautiful ocean animals, where they mate and give birth still remains a mystery. What scientists believe they do know is how these sharks mate and the type of reproduction that is involved. So I am going to tell you a [...]
“When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.” - Anthony Douglas Williams An organisation that is close to all of our hearts here in Gansbaai is the Birkenhead Animal Rescue Centre (BARC). BARC is a Non-Profit Organisation which was started [...]
Be the change you want to see in the world. We’ve all heard this phrase. It makes us think a better world and of the possibilities that could be achieved if we all lived by this motto. But then in the back of our minds is the voice telling most of us “I’m just one person, what good can I [...]
It takes a whole team to ensure our clients have the best possible experience! Working in an environment where you know your team members have your back does not only create so much confidence but also brings great job satisfaction. Over the next couple of weeks I will introduce you to some of these amazing people I am fortunate to [...]
Why Do Sharks Roll the eyes back | Shark Biology Explained White Shark Projects strive to teach both volunteers and our clients all about shark biology. We regularly give our volunteers presentations on shark biology, behavior, evolution, and conservation. Sharks have been swimming around in the ocean for 450 million years. During this time, they have developed abilities that have [...]
White Shark Projects has been running for an incredible 30 years and on occasion we have witnessed nature at its best – The incredible battle of a great white predating on a Cape fur seal. However, even though great white sharks are one of the ocean's most powerful predators, with a bite force three times mightier than a lion, sometimes [...]
Today White Shark Projects staff and volunteers took 12 children and 5 teachers from The Butterfly Centre, Stanford on a coastal clean-up in Gansbaai. White Shark Projects visit The Butterly Centre once a month to teach the children about the importance of our oceans and marine wildlife. Having previously been given a presentation by White Shark Projects volunteer coordinator Jess, [...]
When people hear the word “SHARK” they think of a meat eating ocean predator. The infamous Great White Shark’s diet for example consists of things like – seals, rays, smaller sharks, game fish and dead whales. HOWEVER, recent studies have discovered that there are at least two species of shark that are omnivorous – meaning they eat both plants and [...]
One of the most famous channels of water in the world is one we call Shark Alley. You will hear it mentioned on numerous documentaries and one of the most common questions asked in Gansbaai is “Where is Shark Alley?” Shark Alley is situated between two islands, Dyer Island and Geyser Rock - these islands are rich in history. Situated [...]
Whit Shark Projects are now assisting the Oceanographic Research Institute’s (ORI) Cooperative Fish Tagging Project (ORI-CFTP). This is a long term environmental project with an aim of ensuring the sustainable use of South Africa’s fish resources. The ORI-CFTP is a voluntary project that relies on conservation conscious anglers and public to report the recapture of tagged animals. White Shark Projects [...]
What a cake! Haha Georgina Pendell, one of our Marine Biologists got married last month. As can only be expected this was the most beautiful Shark inspired wedding I have ever seen. Jan & Georgie made sharks seem like romantic creatures….Here is her story of how she ended up with a Shark Wedding Cake! Being as English as [...]
“Shark”, the mere term strikes fear in the hearts of most who hear it. But when combined with “cage” & “diving”, it completely boggles the minds of those same souls. I am here today to dispel any and all of those preconceived fears. The concept of shark cage diving is far more simple and definitely far less scary than people [...]
So what is biomimicry? Basically biomimicry is using designs seen in nature to benefit us. Without most people realising it, we have always used nature and the way it has evolved to solve problems and be more efficient. Something as simple as Velcro is an example of biomimicry. In 1941, Velcro was invented by Swiss engineer George de Mestral. [...]
One of White Shark Projects main aims is to raise ocean awareness by showing how some of our daily activities, although seemingly innocent, can have a negative impact on the ocean. White Shark Projects believe that environmental education is vital in aiding the conservation of our beautiful marine ecosystem. We are in a constant battle in the fight against single [...]
Sharks have been swimming our oceans for nearly 450 million years giving them enough time to become one of the top marine predators we see today here in Gansbaai. The largest shark to have ever roamed our oceans was the Megalodon (Otodus megalodon). However, this enormous prehistoric shark, may have actually met its end due to a shark we see [...]
Gansbaai is a special place in the fact that it has a unique marine ecosystem. Here at White Shark Projects we feel very lucky that we get to experience the wonderful marine wildlife Gansbaai has to offer during our shark cage diving excursions. Recently, we have had some great activity from one of my favourite animals in the area – [...]
Here in Gansbaai, South Africa we are lucky enough to see one of the oceans ultimate apex predators – the great white shark. One of the reasons great white sharks became a top ocean predator is due to their highly adapted senses. Sharks have the same five senses as us humans….but they also have two extra senses: Smell Sound Taste [...]
Summer in Gansbaai is known for its calm sea days and easterly winds bringing in the colder water temperatures. However, this summer we have had far more westerly winds which made the water much warmer and incredibly we have been reaching water temperatures of 22oC . This warm temperature woke up a lot of Gansbaai’s special marine animals and the [...]
One of White Shark Projects main aims is to create awareness and show companies and individuals the small changes they can make to help reduce their environmental footprint. Recently we asked the businesses in the Gansbaai area what changes they have made to reduce their impact on the planet. The outcome was amazing with many of the bars, restaurants and [...]
“Not all those who wander are lost”. I start with this line written by J. R. R. Tolkien, as like me Tolkien spent most of his childhood growing up around Birmingham, dreaming of more. But also, like Tolkien Birmingham is not where I spent the first few years of my life. In my opinion those years however early on are [...]
White Shark Projects is an environmentally conscious company and are committed to reducing the impact we have on the planet. One of White Shark Projects main aims is to reduce our environmental footprint and as a result we are the first plastic free cage diving operator in the area. We also strive to create ocean awareness about the negative effects [...]
The White Shark Projects team all have a passion for sharks and the ocean. If it was our decision, we would take clients out all day every single day…. But it is not up to us. Mother Nature is the boss at sea and we rely on her bringing us the right sea conditions to enable us to give a [...]
One of White Shark Projects aims is to raise ocean awareness and show the small changes we can make to our lives that will help make our oceans healthier. As the New Year is almost upon us and the world is getting ready to celebrate, we are thinking of ways to celebrate while preventing further damage to our oceans. White [...]
I’m sure most of you are aware that Great White sharks are a highly migratory species and have been known to travel vast distances. Here in South Africa our Great Whites are known to travel from areas such as Gansbaai in a North-East direction up the coast of South Africa, in to Mozambique and even over to Madagascar before returning [...]
Even though White Shark Projects has been running for nearly 30 years, each day is different and each day has new surprises in store for us. On the 6th December 2018 White Shark Projects crew were astounded when an unusual species came up to our cage diving vessel, Shark Team, while we were on anchor in Joubert’s Dam, Gansbaai. Unbelievably, [...]
Why are certain Great White Shark populations potentially on the decline? Great White Sharks as we know them are about 16million years in fossil records. They are nearly perfect in so many aspects (sensory systems, body shape, power, tooth regeneration, the list goes on!) however certain populations are potentially declining why is this? Potentially pregnant female great white shark. [...]
Every year, southern right whales travel all the way from the Antarctic to the coasts around South Africa. These gentle giants start arriving here roughly around June specifically to mate and calf. Once the calves are big and strong enough to make the long journey, the mothers will take them back down to the Antarctic, usually around end of November/ [...]
Following on from my previous blog on the perceptions of great white sharks and the influence of media on the general public’s opinions of these animals. I thought id carry on with a small blog displaying the power of photography. Most of us have a love and an instant affection for dogs (‘a mans best friend’). When scrolling through social [...]
How do you see the Great White Shark?? When most people hear the word SHARK, a shiver (funnily enough the term for a group of sharks!) runs down their spine. I believe this is because since children we have all been fed one thing when it comes to sharks and that is FEAR. From the earliest paintings, to movies and [...]
White Shark Projects, founded in 1989, is renowned for its dedication to the conservation of our oceans. White Shark Projects as a company also feel that it is important to support our local communities. So 10 years ago we come up with a community based project that supports the community whilst helping the environment. In 2008, White Shark Projects Swop [...]
Every year tourists flock to Gansbaai (The Great White Capital of the World) to cage dive with the infamous great white shark. However, this area is rich in biodiversity and great white sharks may not be the only shark species you see around here if you look hard enough. White Shark Projects believe that education is key to aiding conservation, [...]
For the past eight years Francesc Pont Torné has been visiting Gansbaai around September time specifically to volunteer for White Shark Projects. We asked him what brings him back to our volunteer programme year after year and his response was as follows: “My name is Francesc Pont Torné, I am 47 years old and from Spain. I have volunteered for [...]
Currently, shark fins are allowed to be separated at sea, but the rest of the carcass must be kept on the same vessel and the total volume of fins has to be five percent of the total weight of bodies on board. But the manager of WWF's global shark and ray initiative, Ian Campbell, says this system can be easily [...]
Winter in the Southern Hemisphere is known as the best season to view Great White Sharks. Here in Gansbaai, we have sharks all-year-round, but Winter is still traditionally considered as the best season. There are a few contributing factors, such as the fact that there are more sharks hanging around Shark Alley during Winter, the water visibility improves and the [...]
We have all heard of them, but here’s a little more detail for you . . . OCEARCH is a non-profit organisation with a global reach for unprecedented ocean-based research seeking to attain groundbreaking data on the movement, biology and health of apex predators to protect their future, while enhancing public safety. The researchers work aboard the M/V OCEARCH, a 126' [...]
If you could go back in time and look at the first, unremarkable prehistoric sharks of the Devonian period (about 400 million years ago) you would never guess that their descendants would become such dominant creatures, holding their own against vicious aquatic reptiles like pliosaurs and mosasaurs and going on to become the "apex predators" of the world's oceans. Over [...]
When it comes to social media, we have all heard the catch phrases of “trending”; “selfies” etc. But this latest trend leaves me cold with disgust and volcanic with anger. There seems to be this growing trend where animals are being plucked from their natural environment and used as selfie-props, in blatant disregard of the well-being of the animals. How [...]
We have all seen them, and most of us have used them, but do we know exactly what they are? Allow me to introduce to you, the Mighty Microbead… Microbeads are small plastic particles (<2 millimetres) and they come in an array of bright and consumer-catching-colours. Most people have no idea that these pretty little beads are balls of plastic. If [...]
Did you know that sharks play a role in mitigating Climate Change? Let me show you how . . . Like good insurance policies, Sharks as Apex predators are directly and indirectly in charge of the health of the ecosystems they patrol. They influence the distribution, behaviour and abundance of their prey and they affect other predator-prey interactions too. They [...]
You too may have seen this image which went viral on social media and whose “popularity” fuelled justified anger from National Geographic. This image was stated as the winner of The National Geographic Photo of the Year – which obviously was untrue. I find myself agreeing wholeheartedly with Nat Geo when they said that it is sad that a computer-generated [...]
How does tourism impact on local communities? Sometimes it has a beneficial influence, sometimes I feel it has a diluting impact on local traditions and behaviours. But for today, we will focus on the positive impact. Let’s take a look now at how the Shark Cage Diving Industry has influenced the local community of Masekhane in Gansbaai, Western Cape. Masekhane [...]
Here at White Shark Projects we fly our responsible tourism flag high and we take pride in our social and environmental roles. We have a firm belief in conservation through education and aim to turn everybody into a shark and ocean ambassador. Therefore, we ensure that we share as much information as possible with our clients, informing them of the plight of [...]
There’s a silent, serial killer on the loose and it drifts along streams and coastlines, gobbling up oxygen, suffocating and killing aquatic life. “Dead zones” are the consequential killers, borne from our agricultural systems. Dead zones are basically areas of water with decreased oxygen levels, in which practically nothing, except bacteria can survive. Dead zones can fluctuate in size and [...]
