White Shark Projects volunteers travel from around the world to Gansbaai, South Africa, to gain hands-on experience in marine conservation, shark research and community initiatives. While many people initially join because of their passion for sharks and the ocean, they quickly discover that volunteering with White Shark Projects is about much more than shark cage diving. It [...]

Cocaine Sharks Cocaine Sharks: A Grim Reality and a Call to Action Did you know that recent studies have confirmed the presence of toxic levels of cocaine in 13 sharpnose sharks off the coast of Rio de Janeiro? This alarming discovery has far-reaching implications for both these majestic creatures and the ecosystems they inhabit. [...]

Volunteer Experience - Tegan Gibaud How do you know when you’ve found your purpose? How do you know when what you do makes a difference? Well for many people, interacting with people who are passionate about our biodiverse environment is when they feel most connected to their purpose. White Shark Projects offers just that with [...]

Volunteering with Sharks in South Africa – Maddy Coulter Embarking on a volunteer journey in South Africa is an extraordinary experience, offering a unique chance to engage with one of nature's most remarkable predators - sharks. My extended stay with White Shark Projects has extended far beyond my initial expectations, providing me with a diverse set [...]

The JAWS Effect It's undeniable that the 1975 hit movie “Jaws” evokes strong emotions. People either call it a classic or remember being unable to sleep for a week after seeing it. Our owner, Jessica Smit, falls into the first group. The movie sparked her love for sharks, inspiring her journey to South Africa to [...]

Combating Ocean Plastic Pollution: The Power of Beach Cleanups Two members of our youth club – Ocean Defenders – looking for pieces of microplastics among the shells on the beach. Have you ever walked past a piece of litter because it’s “just one piece”? Surely just leaving one piece behind [...]

Part 1: The Unseen Bounty and Its Silent Erosion Without our oceans, life on Earth would not be possible. Beyond the fundamental role of supplying oxygen and ingredients for medicines, they serve as climate regulators and a crucial carbon sink, absorbing atmospheric carbon. This decade has seen an unprecedented rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels [...]

Part 2: Unmasking Threats and Crafting a Sustainable Future When investigating the threats looming over our oceans, five major culprits emerge: overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change. Overfishing, driven by increased global demand, has depleted fish stocks, with many species fully exploited or on the brink of collapse. Destructive fishing practices, such [...]