ABOUT THE SOUTH AFRICAN SHARK CONSERVANCY

The beginning of 2013 was a very important point in my life. I had an opportunity to fulfil my true passion for marine life, especially sharks, when I first visited South Africa and began studying great white sharks on a volunteer program. After returning to London, I decided to pursue my Marine Biology studies with Oxford College, and received my qualification later that year. Early in 2014 I came back to South Africa for an internship with the South African Shark Conservancy and, due to my enthusiasm and hard work, I was offered a position on the team. I have been in South Africa ever since and am now the Operations Manager of the SASC team. I am responsible for managing daily research and outreach activities, overseeing the Shark Academy skills development training for interns and volunteers, liaising with stakeholders, and managing our large ecological databases.

I was born and raised in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) where I spent most of my childhood in various National Parks around the country. After school, I moved to South Africa to study at Rhodes University where my passion for the outdoors and water led me to an MSc. Degree in Ichthyology and Fisheries Science. Since then I have worked in various aquaculture-related positions and consulted on a broad range of fisheries projects in African countries such as Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. I eventually found myself in Hermanus where I joined the SASC team, initially as the Field Operations Manager and most recently as the Shark Academy Program Manager. It is great to be part of such a motivated team of people and I really enjoy spending time with the interns and volunteers from around the world who come to experience all that SASC and the Shark Academy has to offer.

From a young age I wanted to be extraordinary and realized I could fulfil my dreams and passion by working in a world filled with water. This led me to pursue a career as a professional yachtsman, where I spent 15 years sailing around the world, experiencing everything the ocean had to offer. Having learned to swim in the waters of the Western Cape, I had developed a deep love for the area and its marine life and, following some introspection, decided it was time to use my skill set and love for the ocean to benefit research and conservation in my home waters. I joined the SASC team in 2018 and am responsible for overseeing all field-related activities, from safety at sea to research planning to intern and volunteer field training. I am passionate about working with our interns and volunteers, and focus on delivering positive outcomes-based experiences.

Meaghen has been studying sharks around the world for the past 20 years. She has a Masters Degree in Fisheries Science, where she specialized in the stock assessment and fishery management of commercially fished sharks in South Africa. She founded the research and conservation NGO, the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC) in 2007, and currently manages research programs at SASC and oversees the training of early career scientists and conservationists through the Shark Academy. Meaghen has co-authored scientific papers on sharks and serves as a specialist scientist on a number of international committees. Her expertise in sharks has led her on numerous adventures, and her work has been featured on Animal Planet, BBC Earth, Discovery Channel, Forbes Women Africa, and more. She has also acted as the shark scientist on thrilling expeditions for Land Rover and Discovery Channel. Meaghen’s desire to share sharks with the world in a unique, responsible and interactive way, led her to start The Shark Company in 2018.