Creatures big & small

Our research projects focus not only on elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, rays), but also on marine ecology & the socio-economics of fisheries.

Key research areas currently include

  • Bull shark ecology & behaviour
  • Physiological impacts of fishing on elasmobranchs
  • Spatio-temporal behaviour of dusky kob & spotted grunter
  • Cetacean habitat use
  • Temperate reef ecology

shyshark

3-day old puffadder shyshark (Haploblepharus edwardsii) born at the Shark Lab

Tagging spotted grunter (Pomadasys commersonnii) on the Breede River

fishing

Fishing on the Breede River

Studying the reproductive biology of the dark shyshark (Haploblepharus pictus)

Giant turban shell (Turbo sarmaticus) sampled from the rocky shore

Collecting biological samples from a bronze whaler (Carcharhinus brachyurus) at a catch & release shark angling competition

Bull sharks of Southern Africa

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Project aim: develop a multi-faceted approach to improving understanding, conservation and management of an iconic, near-threatened shark species in southern Africa.

Study sites: Breede River, Western Cape; Umzimvubu River, Eastern Cape.

Research techniques: conventional tagging, acoustic telemetry, stable isotope and genetic analyses, state-of-knowledge surveys & GIS.

Research Partners: Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries; South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity; Natal Sharks Board.

Funders: Save Our Seas Foundation; Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity

Supporters: OCEARCH; Dr. Neil Hammerschlag (Rosentiel School of Marine Science, University of Miami)

 

RecFishSA

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Project aim: To understand the impacts and importance of recreational elasmobranch fishing in South Africa.

Study sites:  Western Cape Coast

Research techniques: conventional tagging, catch-data analysis, online and onsite surveys, educational workshops

Research Partners: South African Shore Angling Association, Western Cape Shore Angling Association

Funders: Save Our Seas Foundation, South African Shore Angling Association, Western Cape Shore Angling Association

Supporters: Ocean Research Institute (ORI), South African Shore Angling Association, Western Cape Shore Angling Association

 

Marine Ecology Research Programme (MERP)

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Project aim: collect baseline data on biodiversity, ecology and habitats of Walker Bay, South Africa.

Study sites: Walker Bay, Hermanus

Research techniques: boat- & shore-based cetacean & seabird surveys; rocky shore transects; baited remote underwater video (BRUV)

Focal research areas: Marine mammals & seabirds; apex predators; rocky shore ecology; reef ecology

Research Partners: Southern Right Charters