Oceans Research and Conservation in South Africa

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🦈 Shark Sunday 🦈

Meet the Common smoothhound (𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘴), a coastal species that swaps slicing for crushing as it searches the seafloor for its next meal.

Found along South Africa’s coastline and throughout the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, Common smoothhounds inhabit sandy bays, estuaries and shallow coastal waters, where they feed primarily on crabs, shrimp and other hard-shelled prey using their broad, flattened teeth.

Common smoothhounds face a number of challenges, including capture in commercial and recreational fisheries and accidental entanglement in shark nets and on drumlines. While these measures are intended to reduce shark-human interactions, they can also affect non-target species like smoothhounds, highlighting the need for continued research and conservation.

#sharksunday #commonsmoothhound #sharkconservation #marineresearch #oceanconservation

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What happens after the catch? 🦈🐟

Our fish biodiversity assessments use catch-and-release methods to sample sharks and fish from our local waters. Every individual is carefully identified, measured and recorded before being released, giving us a snapshot of the species that use these habitats.

The data we collect helps us monitor biodiversity, track changes in species abundance and distribution over time, and better understand the health of our marine ecosystems. Long-term datasets like these are invaluable for identifying trends that can’t be seen from a single survey and help inform research, conservation and fisheries management decisions.

Fieldwork like this lays the foundation for future research. Each survey strengthens our understanding of the species along our coastline and helps ensure conservation efforts are backed by reliable scientific data.

#oceanresearch #ethicalcatch #marineconservation #sharks #marineeducation

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From the shoreline, there’s a whole world waiting to be discovered. 🌊

Our land-based intertidal surveys take us through the rocky pools exposed at low tide, where we record the invertebrates living between the tides. From sea stars and anemones to crabs and snails, every survey brings something different.

By returning to these sites over time, we can see how these intertidal communities change and build a long-term record of what’s happening along our coastline.

#marineresearch #marineconservation #coastalecology #intertidal #fieldresearch

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Some of our days start in the dark, which means we’re lucky enough to watch the coastline wake up with the sun. 🌅

Low tide doesn’t wait for a convenient hour, and neither do the animals we’re studying. Whether we’re heading into the intertidal before the tide pushes back in or launching early to make the most of the morning feeding window, our schedules are shaped by the ocean. Working with nature gives us the best opportunity to collect data while observing wildlife under the right conditions.

The science comes first, but sunrises like these are a pretty good perk of the job.

#oceansresearch #marinelife #earlystart #marineconservation #oceansunrise

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🦈 Shark Sunday 🦈

Hiding among the rocky reefs and kelp forests of our coastline is this week’s shark: the puffadder shyshark (𝘏𝘢𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘥𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴𝘪𝘪).

A species endemic to South Africa, these shysharks spend much of their time resting on the seafloor or tucked away in rocky crevices. They feed on small fish, crustaceans and cephalopods, emerging mostly at night to hunt while the reef is quieter.

Despite the name, puffadder shysharks aren’t named because they’re dangerous. Their bold markings resemble those of the puff adder snake, which is how they got their common name. By day, their camouflage helps them disappear into the reef, making them surprisingly easy to overlook.

Small, well-camouflaged and often overlooked, the puffadder shyshark is a reminder that some of our most fascinating marine species are also the easiest to miss.

#sharksunday #puffaddershyshark #marineconservation #oceaneducation #oceansresearch

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🍩 Who knew turning yourself into a donut could be a survival strategy?

When threatened or handled, some of South Africa’s shark and skate species curl their bodies into a tight ring, wrapping their tail around to protect their more vulnerable underside. This behaviour, often called the “donut” position, can make it more difficult for predators to get a good grip while shielding vital organs.

#oceanresearch #marineconservation #sharks #skates #protectouroceans

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Can you spot it?

You never know what you’ll find during an intertidal survey. This is a common octopus (𝘖𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘷𝘶𝘭𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴), a master of camouflage that can change both the colour and texture of its skin to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. Tucked between the rocks in a shallow tide pool, this one was relying on its incredible disguise to avoid being noticed.

The rocky shore is full of life if you take the time to look closely. Every survey helps us build a better picture of the species living here and why these habitats are worth protecting.

#intertidalsurvey #octopus #marinelife #marineresearch #marineconservation

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Not every lesson in marine science is an easy one.

Our team had the rare opportunity to take part in the dissection of a stranded pygmy sperm whale in collaboration with @s.m.a.r.t_mosselbay Working under the supervision of experienced personnel, we assisted with collecting samples and recording observations.

As difficult as these moments are, they provide an opportunity to better understand these elusive animals. Every sample collected and every observation recorded helps us build a clearer picture of their biology, health and the pressures they face in the wild.

It’s a reminder that conservation isn’t only about protecting living animals. Sometimes it’s about ensuring that even in death, an animal can continue to teach us and contribute to the protection of its species.

#marineconservation #oceansresearch #whaleresearch #smart #marinescience

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This week we’re focusing on the pyjama catshark (𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘮), one of South Africa’s most recognisable endemic sharks.

Found along our coastline, these striking sharks are easy to spot thanks to the bold dark stripes that give them their name. They’re mostly active at night, spending their days tucked away between reefs and kelp before heading out to hunt small fish, crustaceans and cephalopods.

Like many catsharks, pyjama catsharks lay egg cases rather than giving birth to live young. Those egg cases are often anchored to kelp or rocky reefs, where they develop until the young shark is ready to hatch.

Although they’re a common sight in our coastal waters, they play an important role in keeping reef ecosystems healthy and are a great reminder that not all sharks are large ocean predators.

#sharksunday #pyjamacatshark #marineresearch #oceanconservation #sharksofsouthafrica

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Sometimes the best place to study whales and dolphins is from above sea level.

Our land-based cetacean surveys let us keep an eye on what’s happening offshore without ever leaving the coastline. We use a series of short and long scans to systematically search the ocean for animals. Once a sighting is made, a theodolite is used to accurately track their position and movement from shore. Combined with observations of behaviour and group size, these data help us better understand how cetaceans just off our coastline change over time.

These projects remind us that good research isn’t always about getting out on the water. Sometimes it’s about slowing down, watching carefully and collecting the data that makes all the difference.

#oceansresearch #ori #marineresearch #marineconservation #southafrica