Oceans Research and Conservation in South Africa

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Where Have All the Great Whites Gone?

False Bay, South Africa was once world-famous for its breaching great white sharks — now, they’ve all but vanished.

Yes, orcas have been preying on them.
But scientists agree: human impact is the deeper, long-term threat.

🔹 Shark nets and bycatch kill 25–30 great whites a year.
🔹 White sharks reproduce slowly — even small losses matter.
🔹 Coastal development, fishing pressure, and climate change have weakened populations for decades.

This makes them highly vulnerable when natural challenges, like orca predation, arise.

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Why it matters:

🦈 Great whites are apex predators — they keep marine ecosystems in balance.
📉 Their disappearance leads to cascading effects on fish populations and ocean health.
💼 And their presence supports local economies through shark-based tourism.

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To protect them, we must:

✅ Rethink shark control methods
✅ Strengthen marine protections
✅ Shift how we see sharks — from threats to essential ocean guardians

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📎 Inspired by the National Geographic article:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/great-white-sharks-disappear-ecosystem

🔖 #GreatWhiteShark #SharkConservation #OceanHealth #FalseBay #ApexPredator

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At Oceans Research Institute, we offer something special for students who stay with us for more than a month—a skill we like to call Each One Teach One. 🧠🌊

This isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a fundamental part of growing as a scientist. Communication, mentorship, and the ability to clearly share knowledge with others are often overlooked but essential skills in the scientific world. Whether you`re training a new field assistant, presenting your research, or working in a collaborative lab, being able to explain what you know is just as important as knowing it.

But here’s the thing: it doesn’t always come naturally. Not everyone is confident speaking up or leading others at first—and that’s okay. That’s why we build this into our program. Under the guidance of our Field Specialists, students are given the chance to take the lead—explaining a shift, a method, or a specific task to their peers.

It’s a safe space to practice, to make mistakes, and to grow. And more often than not, students walk away surprised at how capable and confident they’ve become.

Because science isn’t just about discovery—it’s about sharing that discovery with others. 🔬✨

#OceansResearch #EachOneTeachOne #MarineScience #ScienceCommunication #FutureScientists #FieldSkills #STEMeducation

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🌊 Battling tides and braving the weather, our students dove into intertidal research this week!

Armed with quadrats, transects, and field guides, they developed critical biodiversity assessment skills while learning to accurately identify species found along the rocky shores of Mossel Bay.

Hands-on science in action — because nothing beats learning in the field! 👣🦀🔍

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🌊 Front-row seats to the wild. 🌞

This is the view our students enjoy during cetacean tracking — scanning the ocean for the spray of a blow or the flick of a dorsal fin. Not every day brings a sighting, but who can complain about a slow day with a view like this?

When the ocean is your office, even the quiet moments feel extraordinary and every day is worth showing up for!

#OurOfficeView #OceansResearch #CetaceanTracking #MarineScience #StudentExperience #MarineBiology #WildlifeWatching #ScienceOutside

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🎉 And the winner is... Ridgeview Primary School / Ridgeview Primêre Skool 🎉

A huge congratulations to the winning school of our Captain Fanplastic Recycling Competition! 🏆 Your incredible efforts in collecting and sorting recyclables have truly made a splash in protecting our oceans! 🌊♻️

As a reward, the learners will be treated to an exciting VR experience with us here at Oceans Research Institute, where they`ll get to explore the wonders beneath the waves – without getting their feet wet! 🐠🦈🕶️

This impactful initiative would not have been possible without the amazing support of our partners:

🙏 Earth Legacy Foundation – thank you for your dedication and for making this collaboration possible.
🙏 Mossel Bay Rotary Club and the Garden Route Casino Community Trust – your support has helped us bring ocean education to life!

Together, we’re building a generation of ocean stewards. 🌍💙

#CaptainFanplastic #RecyclingChampions #OceanEducation #VRExperience #PlasticFreeSeas #OceansResearch #EnvironmentalEducation #ThankYouPartners

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🌅 Sunset, sea & science beginnings 🌊

Our July 2025 cohort started their month with a bold cold plunge into the Indian Ocean — nothing like an icy dip to shake off the travel and dive straight into adventure!

From hands-on fieldwork to unforgettable wildlife encounters, follow along to see what a month with Oceans Research is all about. 🦈📚🐬

#OceansResearch #July2025Cohort #MarineScience #FieldworkAdventures #SunsetPlunge